Nissan's premium division Infiniti will be unveiling its next generation M saloon at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance later this month. This will be the third iteration of the M but the first slated to make it to European dealerships, placed above the G37 in the product lineup.
Additionally, AutoCar is reporting that Infiniti is also considering bringing its hybrid version of the M saloon to European shores as well. That hybrid version will be launching next year, after the introduction of the M saloon in the U.S. at the end of 2009.
The M saloon hybrid comes with a 3.7 liter V6 petrol/gasoline engine coupled to a compact electric motor juiced by lithium-ion batteries. Infiniti has aleady put that technology on display in Europe at the Geneva motor show back in March.
Selling a luxury hybrid in Europe poses several problems for premium automakers, who are also offering ever-increasingly efficient diesels in their models. The problem becomes which to promote, the diesel or the hybrid, in a way that one doesn't completely eclipse the other.
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance takes place on Sunday August 16th.
Note: Photos of Infiniti Essence concept attached for reference.
andy
August 5, 2009 8:38 PM
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