With Porsche, Ferrari and McLaren having brought hybrid technology to the realm of hypercars, fundamentally changing perceptions about the use of electrification on high performance models, it’s only a matter of when, not if, we’ll see the tech trickling down to lesser exotic sports cars.
One of the first models that may turn into a hybrid is the Nissan GT-R’s replacement. Nissan product chief Andy Palmer strongly hinted at the possibility of “some form of hybridisation on the next generation of car [R36 GT-R]” and now, Japanese media are speculating on what this could mean in terms of numbers.
The team over at 7Tune shared a scanned picture from an unnamed Japanese magazine in which, aside from a render of the GT-R R36, they mention that the car will combine a redesigned VR38DETT twin-turbo V6 “developing 580hp” in base trim with a “regenerative hybrid system employing KERS style technology for an extra 250hp”.
The scan is far too small for us to make anything from the text, so we can’t confirm these numbers, but if Nissan does indeed go the hybrid way, they do make sense. Whether this will place the next GT-R in a new price level remains to be seen. On the other hand, if it does come into fruition, it frees plenty of space for the production of the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rogue Concept that sports the current GT-R’s twin-turbo V6…
Story References: Worldcarfans via 7Tune/Facebook
By John Halas
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