New type of hybrid in the works by Infiniti?

2010 at the earliest? booooo

better late than never

Nissan has a hybrid. Nissan and Infiniti. Nissan Owns Infiniti. Nissan gives Infiniti Hybrid components to put in a g35. all done.

Actually the hybrid system is a version of Toyota's...

Just at 2.5 liters instead of 2.4 and different software programming.

Not only that, but the CVT in the Altima is from Toyota too. Hopefully this will enable Nissan to break from the deal they made with Toyota in 04

Toyota has a hybrid. Toyota gives Nissan Hybrid components. Nissan Owns Infiniti. Nissan gives Infiniti Hybrid (that was from toyota) components to put in a g35. all done.

With the use of certain licence Toyota hybrid technology. Which I would not be surprised if Toyota is soon to come out with the similar advancements, let alone they could be possibly testing them out together with Nissan...

The real question is what happens to the FX when the EX comes out? Does the FX get bigger to fit in with the X5 and ML or does it stay the same size to compete with the X6?
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As far as I can remember, I read somewhere a while ago that the next FX will get a third row seat. Not sure if that's still their plan.

The X6 is larger than the X5 and far larger than the FX. It may have a lower roof than its brother, but it is about a half-foot longer. À la CLS, it will also be significantly more expensive. You have to pay for style...

And yes, I've also heard that the FX will grow. I hope the next one looks as good as this one. Its design integrity has shown through--it looks as good as it did the day it came out, if not better, and makes the Lexus RX look like $h*t.

That X6 is going to look large if that's the case. And a 3rd row in the FX? How is that even possible with the sloping roofline?

...anyway, all Infiniti needs to do now is dump that lumbering Qx56, and either make a true off roader or sportier 7 passenger (more like the CX-9 perhaps?)

The rear of the FX doesn't actually 'slope' that much at all.

It's a visual illusion created by the shape of the rear side widows, not that I would find an FX with a 3rd row option very desirable anyway.

The FX diesel makes more sense, that's why they introduce that in late 2008 as MY09.

Well, let's discuss this new hybrid. Does the change really make that much sense? Obviously it must be an improvement...I doubt they would develop a new powertrain just for marketing purposes.

The reason why I'm having trouble making sense out of this new hybrid is that isn't it better to use the electric power at lower speeds? The electric motor's going to give you a constant output in power and that's what you need when you're accelerating because the gas power is lower when you're going through the lower revs. So basically what I'm saying is that they should cutoff the electric assist based on engine rev and not vehicle speed.

Another thing is...shouldn't the electric power be pretty much cashed out by the time you're crusing at high speeds? If all these hybrids are running on the highway with some juice left in the batteries, they're probably wasting part of that juice since batteries just naturally lose charge over time.

What they ought to do is just implement what chevy does with their MDS and just cut the number of cylinders running at high speeds. I've never driven a vehicle like this so I don't know what it's like but it seems like one of the few good ideas by an American company.

Yes, a diesel would be fantastic.

This makes no sense. Maybe the RX400h is different, which I highly doubt. But if u watch the engine monitor at high speeds in a Prius, the electric motor assists the gasoline engine at high speeds. It is a constant back and forth of charging the battery and delivering power. It does not shut off and leave the gasoline engine to do all the work. That is why the Prius gets BETTER HIGHWAY mileage than city almost all the time, something that everyone except Prius owners does not seem to get. Toyota has tried (apparently in vain) to explain that hybrid synergy drive is a series and a parallel hybrid. This Infiniti system does not strike me as anything new, but they are certainly to be commended for pursuing it nonetheless.

"and makes the Lexus RX look like $h*t"

u mean just like the X5 which made the Q7 looks like shit.

JUGNU

Um. Well, #1, I had an RX before, and I just got sick of looking at it. The FX still looks incredible.

Now I have an X5. I love the way it looks. I saw a black Q7 4.2 tonight, and it looks just as good.

That's a bunch of crap.The electric motor can't push the vehicle by it self at highway speeds.

If it assists the gas motor it uses even more energy and fuel.

The FX is also getting a 3.0 litre diesel. Which will probably get better fuel economy than the hybrid RX. (also for launch in the European market, where Lexus has failed to grasp this point)

at a constant 55 mph, it requires less than 25 hp. (i've heard less than 20; prob'ly true too for very light vehicles.)

electric motors can EASILY deliver these outputs, and more.

the only limitation to sustained highway speeds on electric power, alone OR as assist to the ICE, is BATTERY capacity and level of charge.

while it requires only some 25 hp to simply MAINTAIN a steady 55-60 mph, of course there must be the CAPACITY to unleash a whole herd of add'l horses when the driver wants/needs a sudden spurt in acceleration.

if not for this, a hybrid could be designed with JUST an electric motor for primary drive, with a SMALL gas/diesel to keep the battery charged.

this SERIES hybrid would be the most efficient of all, but few would likely be satisfied with its limited accelerative abilities.

the Tesla has proven it is possible to have a HIGH PERFORMANCE FULL ELECTRIC vehicle.

so my suggested series hybrid, without being a HI PO model, is entirely feasible.

again, BATTERY CAPACITY is the limiting factor. (and one does wonder what the battery bank of the Tesla consists of. of course, at the asking price it will be the absolute best, and leading edge technology.)