Nissan appear to be working on a high-performance Nissan 370Z Hybrid for 2011
It’s no secret that every car maker on the planet is looking at what will and won’t work with eco-cars. From initially starting out as little runarounds, Hybrid and electric cars are now finding their way in to every level of car. We’ve recently told you about the Mercedes S400 Hybrid, and only the other day about the BMW 750 Hybrid. But news from Japan is that Nissan are working on a Hybrid version of the latest Nissan 370Z.
A few weeks ago Nikkei in Japan revealed that Nissan were planning on a Hybrid version of the Fuga Saloon car (which markets in the US as the Infiniti – also about to launch in the UK), and it now looks likely that Nissan will take this powerplant and put it in the Nissan 370Z.
The Nissan 370Z Hybrid is expected to utilise the same 3.7 litre engine already used in the 370Z, but adding a an electric motor with two separate clutches, one between the engine and electric motor and one between the electric motor and the drive wheels. A new lithium ion based high-capacity battery pack is said to be in development with NEC, which gives twice the charging density of current systems. The Nissan 370Z Hybrid will also have a plug-in only mode for city use.
If the report is for real, Nissan could be the first major manufacturer to market with a high-performance plug-in. If the specs are genuine it would offer better performance than the existing 370Z and up to 50% improvement in economy.
Sounds like a case of having your cake and eating it. As soon as the rumours are fully confirmed we’ll let you know. And what would be next? A Nissan GT-R Hybrid, perhaps?
Source: 370Z.Com
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