That Nissan one reminds me of a Fisker. It looks like they're adding elements from the Z cars though.

That was the first thing I thought when I saw the car, too...

All signs point to the Auris having 2ZR-FXE and the Prius transaxle. That's by far the cheapest and simplest thing to do. We'll find out in a couple of weeks.

Frankfurt Motor Show:
September 17 - September 27, 2009.
Press days: September 15 + September 16, 2009.
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_Motor_Show"]Frankfurt Motor Show - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Quick is good.
It shows mainstream society that hybrids don't have to be snails.

I now can't remember if I read that somewhere or was speculating! I would have thought that the aim was to increase production output of the components so that costs would be lowered overall (the fixed costs spread over more units produced).

I'm making the assumption that the new Auris will have (at least one platform with) ZR engine mounts. The current models have 1ZR-FE (1.6L) and 2ZR-FE (1.8L) (models ZRE151, ZRE152). There's also a 1NR-FE 1.33L on the current range (NRE150), plus a bunch of diesels.

They've already announced that the engines will be produced at Deeside, which already produces 1ZR-FE and 2ZR-FE engines. I'm not sure about the NR. A 1.33L would be too small to run Atkinson-cycle, in my view. (Atkinson-cycle reduces effective capacity to 45%-71% of full capacity, if valve close is at 65°-105° past bottom dead centre.) You might get away with it in an iQ, but not the C-segment Auris.

The designs obviously already exist for 2ZR-FXE. I believe the Atkinson 'X' variant only needs new pistons - to raise the head of the piston, to increase the compression ratio - and a new cam profile, to keep the intake valves open longer. Or, it might be slightly longer conrods - the stroke is controlled by the crankshaft. 1ZR-FE has the same bore but a shorter stroke. I'm trying to work out the geometry in my head - it may be that the cam profile and piston of 2ZR-FXE would also work for a hypothetical 1ZR-FXE as well.

I recall that we had rumours about a 1.6L Prius variant before the 2010 was officially announced, so it could be a 1.6.

Don't expect a hybrid Auris to weigh much less than a Prius though. The current model is 1250 - 1450kg depending on the engine. The current 1.6 V-matic manual is quoted as a 10s 0-62 time, so the Prius is actually a little slower (10.4s).

Did anyone notice that Infiniti did not have a single new vehicle to sell that qualified under the Cash for Clunkers program?

CASH FOR CLUNKERS WINNERS AND LOSERS
LA Car.com - The Cars and Culture of Southern California Magazine & Directory - BACK SEAT DRIVING - AUGUST 2009

Infiniti offered no cars that qualified for CARS

Who are these folks an Infinity that think they'll be invening a high powered hybrid?!? What are they ... maybe a dollar short and 5 years too late (if in fact in makes it off the drawing board by 2012)?

Wasn't it back in late 2007 that Lexus LS600h went into production? .... good for 438 horsepower, along with 385 lb-ft of torque.