Nissan has relied on the hybrid technology of its rival Toyota in order to power its "green" efforts thus far, such as the Altima hybrid sedan. With the launch of the new Infiniti M hybrid, Nissan will debut its own hybrid technology.

The company claims that its hybrid system allows the hybrid version of the M, a popular luxury sedan, to double the gas mileage of the its traditionally-powered counterpart. The new luxury model will be the first Nissan vehicle to use the technology, but the company has plans to launch more hybrid models using a similar powertain.

All Japanese automakers are currently struggling with the strong yen, which makes their products more expensive in the U.S. If the Japanese price of the new M sedan is translated to U.S. dollars, the model will cost approximately $72,000 when it launches early next year. The traditional M37 retails for nearly $50,000, while the V8 powered M56 starts at $57,900.

Travelers who want a cheaper hybrid option may want to look at a vehicle like a used Toyota Prius, which has been on the market for several years.