Nissan / Infiniti 2.5L Supercharged Hybrid

[Timmbo]

Infinti is set to debut this new powerplant in the JX next year. This would make it easy to bolt into a Murano. Power will be similar to the current 3.5 with 20% better fuel economy. Here are the details:

As reported by AutoWeek.

Once upon a time, hybrid cars were boring. But as we move deeper into the 21st century, automakers are realizing the potential hybrid vehicle drivetrains represent. As previously reported, Nissan is working on a hybrid drivetrain paired with a supercharged engine. Now comes word that this system will make its debut in the 2014 Infiniti JX crossover.

This system is reportedly an upgrade to the current hybrid system used in the powerful Infiniti M35h rear-wheel drive sedan, but will be modified for use in front-drive applications. But while the M35h has a 3.5 liter V6 engine, the new system will use a single electric motor setup with a 2.5 liter supercharged four-cylinder engine. This will allow for more power, but less fuel consumption.

Nissan’s decision to forgo turbochargers in favor of a supercharger is an interesting one. While turbos are powered by exhaust gases, and sales of turbocharged vehicles could triple by 2017, superchargers run directly off of the crankshaft, allowing for more immediate delivery of low-end torque.

The M35h currently makes a combined output of 360 horsepower between its V6 engine and electric motor, and Nissan engineers are probably hoping for at least 300 horsepower combined from this new supercharged setup. Honda tuner Mugen recently put a supercharger to work on the Honda CR-Z hybrid with powerful results, so the performance potential is definitely there.

Nissan hasn’t been as keen on hybrid vehicles as other automakers, betting instead on pure electric vehicles. But that bet so far hasn’t paid off, perhaps leading the Japanese automaker to re-evaluate their game plan. Personally, I love the idea of a supercharged hybrid setup, and it could even be used in the next Nissan Z car, which is rumored to be smaller, lighter, and more fuel-efficient than the current V6-powered 370Z.

Is this the first wave of forced-induction hybrid vehicles? Will other automakers hop on board? This writer certainly hopes so. We’re at a point where hybrid cars shouldn’t be boring anymore. Once more drivers realize the potential for fun and excitement in hybrid vehicles, I believe we’ll see the market for hybrids really take off.

Source: AutoWeek

[kerrton]

Man that is exciting stuff, the JX is already pretty efficient due to the next-gen CVT, but a 20% effiency increase AND power increase to at least 300, that is wicked. Breaking 300 hp is huge, if for no other reason than perception. I assume that the CVT will handle all this power, no mention of the transmission that will accompany this engine. I'm also assuming that this will make its way to the Pathfinder at some point soon.

Actually, it makes me wonder why they need to take 2 steps at once - add hybrid electric components AND supercharged 4-cylinder? Why not take step 1 first, offer the supercharged 2.5 4-cylinder on its own, no hybrid components. They could easily get 250+ hp and I would guess it could be tuned to be more efficient than the current 3.5 VQ. Ford offers a little turbo 2.0 in their 5000lb Explorer that makes 240 hp and around 260 torque, so I'm sure Nissan could equal or better that with a larger 2.5, although I realize superchargers are different than turbos.

The obvious benefit to leaving out the hybrid components is cost savings for potential buyers. Later Nissan can take step 2 and offer hybrid electric as those components become cheaper to manufacture, but for now why not get that supercharged 2.5 into the engine lineup? Currently I'm interested in the Pathfinder as my next family vehicle, its already a bit on the outside of my price range, keeping just FWD is a nice option to keep cost down and I don't really need AWD anyway. If they add hybrid electric and a new 2.5 engine it will further push this vehicle out of my reach financially. But, if they could find a way to offer the 2.5 for about the same cost as the current 3.5 with decent performance and better efficiency than the V6 they would attract more buyers, myself for example the increased efficiency would allow me to justify the cost a little better due to fuel savings. The expensive hybrid option on the other hand normally raises the costs so high that you need to drive hundreds of thousands of miles just to recoupe the investment before it saves you any fuel costs.

Bottom line, this new powertrain tech sounds great, very interesting, but if only the elite can afford it, how relevant is it really?

[Timmbo]

Keep in mind, this is being mated to the NEWEST version of the CVT which is in the new Altima and in the new Pathfinder, so efficiency should be amazing. I am sure we will eventually see this offered in the Pathfinder as well. It will be interesting to see how much of an up charge it will cost to get the new hybrid.

Hopefully 300hp will be hit, initially Nissan stated that power output would be "on par" with the current 3.5 V6, but 300hp could certainly be possible with some tuning and premium fuel.

[kerrton]

IMO breaking the 300 hp ceiling will go a long way to promoting hybrids as more than just boring, efficient machines.

This would certainly help with the image of hybrids, making them appear more fun and powerful. I know Nissan didn't have much success with the Altima hybrid, I don't believe you can even purchase a hybrid model anymore, but hopefully they'll give it another shot with their own in-house design, lithium ion batteries, and a more affordable sticker price. I find hybrid electric technology pretty exciting, but only if it can manufactured at a relatively affordable price, and is reliable over the life of the vehicle.

[MuranoDriver]

More Power + More Efficiency = WIN!!

[sstroudwku]

Man that is exciting stuff, the JX is already pretty efficient due to the next-gen CVT, but a 20% effiency increase AND power increase to at least 300, that is wicked. Breaking 300 hp is huge, if for no other reason than perception. I assume that the CVT will handle all this power, no mention of the transmission that will accompany this engine. I'm also assuming that this will make its way to the Pathfinder at some point soon.

The JX will get the Pathfinder CVT which is different than the JX. The Pathfinder is rated for 5000lbs of towing, where the JX is rated for 3500. Even though they share the same platform they do have different drivetrain components.