2010 Nissan Fuga Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery
The Fuga Hybrid is a landmark vehicle for Nissan. For starters, this gas-electric luxury sedan is the first to employ Nissan’s own hybrid tech and not some system borrowed from a competitor. The Fuga Hybrid – sold under the Infiniti M35h name in other markets, including the U.S. – will hit dealer lots next week in Japan and aims to possibly forever change our vision of what a luxury hybrid ought to be.
Priced from 5.78 million yen ($71,500 U.S. at the current exchange rate), the Fuga Hybrid is not likely to steal sales away from the 2.05-million yen ($25,219 U.S.) Toyota Prius, but Nissan clearly has other targets. This gas-electric luxury sedan is the anti-hybrid, it just happens to get a projected 45 miles per gallon rating under Japanese test methods (or approximately 32 mpg combined U.S.). The car goes about its business in a way that will convince buyers that choosing a hybrid doesn’t have to involve sacrifice (except at the bank account). The Fuga Hybrid gives up nothing to its gasoline powered siblings, blends in seamlessly with competitive luxury sedans and performs on par with other pavement scorchers in its class. It does all this with such ease that its hybridness all but disappears. That is, until it comes time to fill ‘er up. Hit the jump for more technical details on Nissan Fuga Hybrid. Hat tip to lne937s!
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Photos Copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Nissan]
PRESS RELEASE
Nissan Releases New Fuga Hybrid
YOKOHAMA (October 26, 2010) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the launch of the new Nissan Fuga Hybrid luxury sedan, which goes on sale November 2nd at Nissan dealers nationwide in Japan.
Since its launch in November 2009, the current generation Fuga luxury sedan has been acclaimed by customers for its beautiful dynamic design, spacious and comfortable interior, advanced performance and safety technologies, and its responsive, exhilarating driving experience. The new Fuga Hybrid builds on those features, adopting Nissan’s original one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system named ‘Intelligent Dual Clutch Control,’ which combines a number of advanced environmental technologies. The new Nissan Fuga Hybrid achieves fuel economy of 19.0 km/L (10-15 mode) – comparable to that of a compact car, while also providing the direct feel and exhilarating driving performance of a luxury vehicle.
The Fuga Hybrid’s ‘Intelligent Dual Clutch Control’ system connects the high-response electric motor and the 3.5-liter VQ35HR V6 engine directly to the transmission, without the use of a traditional torque converter. This simple, highly efficient and lightweight hybrid system contributes to fuel efficiency. In addition, since one of the two clutches completely disconnects the motor from the engine, quiet and highly efficient EV mode driving is realized. Compared to traditional hybrid systems, the electric motor driving range is expanded for high-speed driving (up to over 100km/h on a level highway) and the EV mode is frequently applied, helping the Fuga Hybrid achieve best-in-class fuel economy.
The compact, high-output lithium-ion battery is able to charge/discharge quickly. This contributes to high-speed, precise control of the electric motor and optimum clutch control, which both enable luxury driving with smooth shift quality and sharp, direct acceleration response. The Fuga Hybrid’s new electronic 7-speed hybrid transmission with manual shift mode features optimized shift performance according to the motor’s output characteristics. This combines with the updated 3.5-liter VQ35HR engine with higher efficiency to provide smooth and sustained acceleration.
Also contributing to the Fuga Hybrid’s outstanding sport performance feel are the use of double-piston shock absorbers, and the first-ever application of both the advanced Electro-hydraulic Power Steering system and Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system, providing both high quality riding comfort and sophisticated, exhilarating driving.
The Nissan Fuga Hybrid VIP Package for executives adopts special features, such as power reclining rear seats, a built-in control switch in the rear center armrest, and an electrically operated rear window sunshade. Also offered is the Premium Interior Package, designed to provide an open, high-quality feeling with the extensive use of special materials, including semi-aniline leather with soft-to-the-touch and natural textures. Combined with the Comfort Suspension, the new Nissan flagship car creates exceptional levels of cabin comfort.
Along with its performance, technology and comfort, the new Nissan Fuga Hybrid achieves a 25% improvement in fuel economy over 2010 standards and SU-LEV certification, emitting 75% less exhaust compared to 2005 standards. This luxury sedan also qualifies for the ‘next-generation vehicle’ tax break provided through Japan’s ‘tax system to promote the diffusion of environmentally friendly vehicles,’ *1 thereby fully exempting it from the automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax.
Also, in fiscal year 2010, Nissan introduces its two-pillar strategy to reduce CO2 emissions: ‘Zero Emissions’ and ‘PURE DRIVE’. ‘PURE DRIVE’ vehicles are designed to achieve top-of-class fuel economy for mass-produced vehicles by equipping them with optimal next-generation eco- technologies, such as Idling Stop, Clean Diesel and Hybrid engines. The new Nissan Fuga Hybrid is the third in the series of ‘PURE DRIVE’ vehicles to be introduced in Japan.
2. *2: As of October 2010, according to Nissan.