Rumormill: Nissan 370Z Hybrid for 2011?
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on May 5th 2009 at 1:29PM 
We're expecting Infiniti to launch its first hybrid sometime in either 2010 or 2011, likely based on the M35 luxury sedan. Unlike past hybrids from Nissan, parent company of the Infiniti brand, this new technology will not be a licensed version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. Interestingly, reports out of Japan indicate that this new hybrid tech could filter on down the line to find itself under the shapely hood of Nissan's new 370Z.
If these rumors are accurate, expect the fuel-saving sports car to be equipped with a lithium ion battery from corporate partner NEC that feeds power to a lone electric motor sandwhiched between the Z's 3.7-liter VQ V6 engine and transmission. The dual-headed powertrain is reportedly expected to achieve 35 miles per gallon on the mixed cycle, though those are likely Japanese figures that don't often jive with U.S. EPA numbers.
[Source: 370Z.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aprime 1:35PM (5/05/2009)
wat
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Jake B 2:04PM (5/05/2009)
Yeah What is right! I vote no! I want people driving Z cars because they are Z cars! Not because some sweater wearing hippy thinks its a "green" car. To hell with em!
Turall 1:36PM (5/05/2009)
Aaaaand the legendary Japanese icon has jumped the shark..
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thomas 1:48PM (5/05/2009)
actually.... if you think about it.... its still running with the same V6, only with bonus electric power.... think of it as an electric turbo?
Honda tried doing this with the accord hybrid - using hybrid technology not only to improve efficiency but also performance.
TIMMAH! 1:54PM (5/05/2009)
Yes exactly. The electric motor would be able to provide massive low-end torque while the ICE is still getting up to revs. I think it would also be cool if they could have user selectable performance/economy modes that would govern the power programming.
Aprime 2:51PM (5/05/2009)
*cough* weight
JDM Life 4:09PM (5/05/2009)
@ TIMMAH !
LMAO...just reliazed where your user name is from
Southpark ROCKS.
larry a 1:37PM (5/05/2009)
I am not amused.
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dwaltr 1:41PM (5/05/2009)
Sad, but somehow not surprised.
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UCJR 2:03PM (5/05/2009)
A friend of mine with a '02 Corvette Z06 routinely sees over 30MPG on the highway, and low-to-mid 20's around the city (with a light touch on the fun pedal)... Amazing what good aerodynamics coupled with light weight and a 400HP engine can do.
It'll be interesting to see what other modifications this thing gets. Perhaps a Fisker Karma versus 370ZH (HZ?) comparo will be in order?
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Thyriel 6:16PM (5/05/2009)
The man that started Fisker Karma is a thief and should be put in jail. Ever notice how the Tesla looks similar but a little different? That's because the guy worked for Tesla, got their plans, then quit and started Fisker Karma
dwightB 8:44PM (5/05/2009)
@ Thyriel
What the hell are you talking about? That lawsuit is about the technology and ideas underpinning the vehicle, not the styling. Henrik Fisker is responsible for the BMW Z8, Aston Martin V8 Vantage concept, Ford Shelby GR-1 concept and one the most beautiful cars on the planet - the Aston Martin DB9. So I REALLY don't think he's too "limited" in the styling department and has to steal from Tesla, lol.
Taglane 1:43PM (5/05/2009)
lolololololololololololol
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thomas 1:44PM (5/05/2009)
CR-Z envy?
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JDM Life 1:46PM (5/05/2009)
wtf?
wow....talk about coming out the blue.....
This should be interresting none the less. Hybrids have proved themselves and being more effiecnt is always a good thing. Even better if they can combime efficiency with perforamce...and i dont just mean getting good MPG...being effiecnt goes well beyond getting good MPG ratings.
IMO i dont know why some people give hybrids such a hard time.
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bssplayr 2:06PM (5/05/2009)
I think it might be because, at least on a PERCEPTION level, sound plays a big part in performance.
Think about reading a review for this car. Would THIS excite you: "feel yourself pinned to the seat as the motor whirrs to life, the hybrid powertrain gently whining as the speedometer blasts through its arc..."?
Probably not.
James Sonne 3:34PM (5/05/2009)
Actually, I find most impressive the vehicles that can whiz by without making much noise at all. It's a sign of effortlessness which, to me, seems far more intimidating. Also, who wants to attract attention while having fun in a car? I'd prefer to not get ticketted nor bothered by kids that think they have a fast car.
Jason 1:53PM (5/05/2009)
Just what a sports car needs - more weight.
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Dave T. 2:07PM (5/05/2009)
anyone driven a new Z? or the old one? Tell me this smart guys, where are you going to put the lithium ion battery? In the tiny cargo area where you can store a wardrobe bag? and even that makes it nearly impossible to see out the back hatch.
Let alone the fact that the last group who will want a heavier, more expensive powertrain are sports car fanatics.
Rumor? I call this just idiotic nonsense.
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Jeff Johnson 2:05PM (5/05/2009)
Just what I was thinking... take a sports car who's main enemy is ALWAYS weight, and strap 200+lbs of battery to it.
Sure you are now a "hybrid" but at the cost of acceleration, handling, etc etc. If you want a hybrid, BUY a hybrid. If you want a sports car buy a sports car.
The idea of having 100% clean, max torque at 0RPM is great, until there is some sort of major breakthrough in battery tech, this is useless.
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