Twitter headlines« Aviation Group Proposes New Airport Departures Code to Cut Fuel Consumption, Noise and Emissions | Main | Despite a Slight Recovery in 2009, Arctic Sea Ice Remains on Downward Trend »
Nissan Confirms Production of Infiniti M35 Hybrid; On Sale in Spring 2011
7 October 2009
| The M35 Hybrid. Click to enlarge. |
Nissan has confirmed production of the Infiniti M35 Hybrid, due to go on sale beginning in Spring 2011, depending upon market. Nissan recently introduced the new M range line of luxury performance sedans. The Infiniti M35 Hybrid picks up styling cues from the Essence concept that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year.
Infiniti’s hybrid system, developed solely within the Nissan group, is a one electric motor/twin clutch arrangement. The first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and the electric motor. The result of this engineering configuration, where all components act on a single propshaft to the rear differential, is a consistent driving feel under all conditions with linear performance and the “direct responses” that the engineers sought.
The electric motor acts as both propulsion unit, boosting the V6 in power assist mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. As well as charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking. The M35 Hybrid can also run solely on its electric motor in certain driving conditions, furthering fuel efficiency.
The M35 Hybrid will feature a laminated Li-ion battery pack (from the Nissan-NEC joint venture AESC, earlier post) that is the same size as conventional batteries but that offers twice the power. AESC is currently producing laminated lithium-ion cells using a manganese spinel cathode material (LiMn2O4). The laminated structure enables the cells to have low electrical resistance. The large surface area supports high heat radiation, suited for large current charge and discharge.
The new-generation Infiniti M models are on target to beat their predecessors on fuel consumption and emissions, despite across-the-board performance improvements, due to a range of efficiency-enhancing measures.
The M35 Hybrid will join the conventionally-engined M models—including a new high-performance diesel V6 for Western Europe—as the first generation of Infiniti’s luxury performance saloon to be sold across all of its world markets which currently number 33 countries. Depending on market, sales are expected to start from Spring 2010 with the M35 Hybrid arriving around 12 months later.
October 7, 2009 in Hybrids | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: HarveyD | October 07, 2009 at 01:45 PM
The first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and the electric motor. The result of this engineering configuration, where all components act on a single propshaft to the rear differential, is a consistent driving feel under all conditions with linear performance and the “direct responses” that the engineers sought."
I have liked the the single axis centrally mounted Sandwiched emotor generator mounting arrangement "from the engineering perspective above the others. regardless the fact that many serial and alternator add on pathways are apparently more efficient or economical. This may alter as (not when) wheel motors gain a foothold.
Posted by: arnold | October 07, 2009 at 04:02 PM
No it means more w/kg not wh/kg. So they can use a half sized pack and still get say 30-40 kw burst.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | October 07, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Looks like a better deal than the Nissan Leaf.
Just a guess of course.
Because it is based on absolutely no data.
Price? - - AER? - - mpg?
kWh? - - Electric hp?
Will the batteries be available by lease only?
Do I hear another;
"DOE Award Supports Largest Single Deployment of EVs and Infrastructure Yet; Up to 5,000 Nissan LEAF EVs in 5 Regions 5 August 2009" [ GCC ]
Posted by: ToppaTom | October 08, 2009 at 05:26 AM
winter...
Wouldn't ultra caps do that better?
Posted by: HarveyD | October 08, 2009 at 06:10 AM
Toppa, specifications and details are for the Hercule pocket protector geek gang. The general public need only know what we want them to know.
Posted by: Reel$$ | October 08, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Toppa, this is a hybrid so AER=0. No silly battery leasing schemes, but of course you can lease the battery along with the rest of the car.
I really like the twin clutch parallel approach. Unlike Serial (Volt) or PSD (Toyota, Ford, Nissan Altima, etc.) you get the power you pay for:
Prius (NHW20):
ICE - 57 kW
MG1 - 30 kW
MG2 - 50 kW
------------
Purchased - 137 kW
Delivered - 82 kW
Volt:
ICE - 53 kW
Gen - 53 kW
Motor - 111 kW
--------------
Purchased - 217 kW
Delivered - 111 kW
Twin clutch parallel (example):
ICE - 100 kW
MG - 50 kW
-----------
Total - 150 kW
Delivered - 150 kW
Twin clutch parallel delivers more power to the drive shaft with less money invested in motors and engine. Bingo, we have a winner! Note that Honda's IMA also does this but does not provide EV mode.
HSD still has a transmission cost advantage, but this advantage goes away as you become more battery-dominant because a twin-clutch parallel system can downsize or eliminate the transmission.
Posted by: doggydogworld | October 09, 2009 at 10:43 AM
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c4fbe53ef0120a62154fd970c
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Nissan Confirms Production of Infiniti M35 Hybrid; On Sale in Spring 2011:
Laminated batteries with same power buy half the size. Does it mean 280 Wh/Kg instead of 140 Wh/Kg?