Infiniti M35h Hybrid Posts 13.9 Second Quarter Mile, a World Record

The notion that electric cars can be no fun is one that has been pretty much dispelled. Anyone who thinks the Tesla Roadster wouldn't be a blast to drive needs their head examined. We still like the roar of an internal combustion engine, but the torque offered by electric engines is undeniable.

Most hybrids aren't all that fun, but some automakers have turned their hybrids for performance, such as the previous generation Lexus GS 450h and Infiniti's M35h. With 364 horsepower, no one ever thought it would be a slouch.

Turns out, Infiniti now has some bragging rights as the M35h is the fastest hybrid in the world, with a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds and quarter mile time of 13.9031. Wow! The run took place in the United Kingdom at the hands of none other than CAR Magazine. Journalist Tim Pollard was at the wheel when the run took place at the Santa Pod drag strip in August.

The record is official - Guiness World Bork of Records material. Not only is the figure impressive for a hybrid though, it posts an extremely close quarter-mile time to the 1982 Lamborghini Countach S, for instance. That car comes in at which is at 13.9. Even more recent vehicles like the 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera, clock in a few tenths faster, at 13.6.

Pollard raves about the car, saying: “The Infiniti M35h proves that hybrids can be fast as well as frugal....at Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from the standstill – the car just leapt of the line. I tried changing gears manually, but it was fastest in automatic.”