Nissan 370Z Hybrid Coming 2011?

Japanese sources have picked up a whisper that Nissan is working on a hybrid drive-train for both its large and high-performance cars.

The Fuga sedan (Infiniti M35/M45) will reportedly be first to make use of the hybrid system, but the big news is that the 370Z, to be let loose on the Australian media today and tomorrow, is also slated to appear in hybrid guise come 2011.

Reportedly, the 370Z hybrid will use an electric motor in conjunction with the standard 3.7 litre V6 engine for an as-yet unknown total power output.

The system will allow petrol or electric-only operation as well as a combination of both, and will also feature full plug-in capabilities.

The key component to the system will be a lithium-ion battery pack, jointly developed by Nissan and NEC.

The cell is said to feature twice the energy density of conventional batteries as seen in the majority of current hybrid cars.

If the whispers are right and it all goes ahead, expect the 370Z hybrid to have excellent fuel economy and the kind of torque figures we're used to seeing in large displacement V8s.

We'll keep our ears to the ground for further information. Meanwhile, look for our first drive of the Aussie 370Z - we'll be posting it up tomorrow evening.

[Source: 370Z.com]