Nissan testing 370Z Hybrid ?

I going to go out on a limb and say he's not a fan of the Prius.

" Toyota has created this dull, boring image of hybrids that other automakers have followed, leaving an awful taste in the mouth of those of us who enjoy torque and throwing a car through the twisties. That may work for a bland carmaker like Toyota, but Nissan is saying no to boring hybrids, starting with the Infiniti M35h hybrid sedan."

"If automakers want hybrids to have a more mass appeal to customers, they've got to break this image of dull, boring aero-eggs like the Toyota Prius."

 

I'd like to see how it would get modified for drift duty. The insta-torque must be really useful.

 

old rumor resurrected?

There was also Rendered Speculation: 2013 Nissan 370Z goes hybrid — Autoblog Green. The Road and Track article also speculated

My response on my350z.com was:
Isn't the hybrid 370Z rumor 2 years old and being resurrected again? Just Google for hybrid 370z rumors 2009.

IIRC, there were rumors of a diesel option on the Maxima a few years ago. That never happened and no I'm not talking about the diesel Maximas in the early 1980s.

I find it rather unlikely that Nissan would offer hybrid, diesel AND gasoline-only versions of a Z. It's just sold and produced in too low a quantity to make a worthwhile investment for them (for the R&D, testing and certifications).

Also, if Nissan wants to boost their CAFE numbers, they'd get a better return on their investment by introducing hybrid and/or diesel versions of vehicles they sell in much greater quantities. They could start by selling in the Altima Hybrid in more than just ~9 states.

If a hybrid Z does come along and it proves to have decent reliably, decent mileage and at a reasonable price, I'd consider it. The CR-Z is so disappointing in terms of due to lack of power and pretty low mileage considering its lack of power.

I now hate driving non-hybrids in city traffic and stop and go. I avoid taking my Z if I know I'm going to encounter that.

edit: Found Carmakers aim diesels at U.S. market - USATODAY.comfrom 07 that mentioned a diesel Maxima in 2010. We never got it...

 

To nissan and porsche. GL w/ that!

 

Re: old rumor resurrected?

It should drift just fine. I wonder if they might make it an electronic 4wd as the porsche 918 is. It wouldn't take that much more work, a couple more motors and a bigger battery. We know Nissan has the batteries.

I agree about the diesel being doubtful. The altima hybrid only sells in 9 states because it doesn't sell well, and likely is a money loser. They have to pay toyota on every one. This is homegrown and likely trickle down technology. The Z is inexpensive for a sportscar, and this may add to its uniqueness, the torque of a v8, the fuel economy of a camry. I say its a good application, and I expect hybrids to trickle up to fast cars ;-)

 

A hybrid 370z means like what, 30 mpg? No thanks.

 

The Altima Hybrid was only ever made available in CARB states. I think it not selling well is partly because it only sells in those states. It's more of a chicken and the egg problem.

It also doesn't seem to be marketed much at all. I'm from CA and lived back there again from 04 to 09. I don't recall seeing many ads for them but saw quite a few running around on the road there (besides my mom having one).

Yeah, I'd imagine Carlos Ghosn doesn't like the idea of him paying Toyota for each one.

I'd be ok w/that in a reasonably powerful sports car that if it were combined mileage.

From 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid priced from $53,700 — Autoblog, the M hybrid is rated 27 city/32 highway, 29 mpg combined w/350 hp. Granted the Z is a 2 seater and should be smaller and lighter, it should get better mileage. They gotta a hybrid Z's price far below $53.7K though...

 

It would be incredible mileage for a sports car. Nothing gets close. I doubt the epa would be much different, but I'm sure if you drive it like a prius you will get over 30 in the city. It should definitely be cheaper than the hybrid M. I really want to see what they do with the Infiniti J hybrid. That is more my style right now, but the Z would be sweet.