Nissan's Infiniti FX To Revolutionize Hybrids

The new Infiniti FX SUV is expected to have a new form of hybrid train designed by parent company Nissan, according to a story on the Dutch website autoblog.  This new hybrid system allows an electric motor to provide assistance to a gasoline engine, even at higher speeds.  Nissan believes this will translate to fuel savings for urban, suburban, and rural buyers because of the increase in mileage on both highways and city streets.

Typically, hybrid powertrains use the electric motor at low speeds and for initial acceleration, leading to gains in fuel conservation mainly in city driving and stop-and-go traffic.    The Infiniti FX Hybrid will have this capability, as well as the high speed use of an electric motor.

FX fans will have to wait until 2011, or later, for the new hybrid.  The 2009 Infiniti FX will be available with either a V6 or V8 gasoline engine, or with a Renault-built V6 diesel in 2010.