THE car which sounds like a jet flying in the distance will be taking to the streets later this year when Japanese luxury car brand Infiniti launches its first hybrid.

The M35h - based on Infiniti's M model range which rivals the likes of the BMW 5 Series - is fitted with a sound generator to alert pedestrians when the car is running purely on electricity.

Called Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians, the system makes a subdued whooshing noise from the front of car at speeds of up to 20mph.

The sound, which Infiniti describes as pleasing and non-intrusive, varies in pitch and volume according to the speed.

It will be the first hybrid which generates noise for pedestrian safety. Other vehicles which use petrol-electric power systems are silent apart from road rumble when the run only on electricity at low speeds.

The M35h is due on sale in the spring and is fitted with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine developing 306PS mated to an electric motor with an output equivalent to a further 68PS.

Infiniti says the M35h will average 40.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 162g/km and a 0 to 60 acceleration time of 5.5 seconds. Top speed is 155mph.

Compared to the M35 petrol and diesel saloons which were launched last year, the hybrid's greater economy reduces vehicle tax for private buyers to £155 a year with a 23 per cent tax liability for business users.

Unusually for a hybrid Infiniti says its system can operate in zero emission electric mode at speeds of up to 50mph and in tests the car has been capable of running as an EV for up to 50 per cent of its journey time.

Prices are still to be announced but the conventional M saloon models range from £31,150 to £46,600.