According to Drive.com.au, the top brass at Nissan are seriously contemplating the use of a hybrid powertrain in their upcoming budget-priced RWD sports car.
Previously, it was generally believed that Nissan would put a turbocharged 4-cylinder motor of between 1.6 - 2-litres in the low-cost successor to the Silvia, with a naturally-aspirated model also on offer. Now, according to Junichi Endo, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing, a hybrid powertrain may also get the nod for the FR coupe.
“People are more sensitive to fuel efficiency,” said Mr Endo. “A front-engine, rear-drive may appeal still … but it’s important it is still fun to drive. Ideally we would try to hit both fuel economy and driving pleasure.”
Mr Endo also indicated that Nissan's newest sportster could eventually be powered by electricity alone, with the move to hybrid technology being merely a transitory step on the way to emissions-free fun.
“In the very short term, probably a hybrid front-engine, rear-wheel drive [sports car] … would be a good candidate. In the mid term an electric vehicle is a strong candidate we are looking at.”
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