Toyota and Honda may well have got the jump on Nissan in the hybrid race, but the latter has just signalled its intentions to join the fray with two prototypes, developed under the 'Nissan GT 2012' business plan.
Under the aforementioned plan, the company has set itself the lofty target of zero-emission vehicle leadership, and has announced plans to introduce an all-electric vehicle in 2010 and subsequently launch it globally in 2012.
Both prototypes unveiled this week -- the Electric Vehicle (EV-02) and the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) -- use advanced lithium-ion batteries (similar in principle to the types used in laptops).
As per the Cube on which it's based, the electric EV-02 features a front-wheel drive layout, but its propulsion is provided by a newly developed 80kW motor and inverter.
The laminated compact lithium-ion batteries are installed under the floor -- an arrangement that means not having to sacrifice either cabin or cargo space, according to Nissan.
Don't read too much into the exterior packaging though, because the final production version that launches in 2010 will have "a unique bodystyle and is not based on any existing Nissan model".
Meanwhile, the Infiniti G35-based Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is claimed to deliver two breakthrough technologies -- a high-performance rear-wheel drive hybrid system and parallel-powertrain hybrid system.
The parallel-powertrain hybrid system uses a pair of clutches (rather than conventional torque converters), contributing to "higher responsiveness and linear acceleration for improved driving feel", according to Nissan.
Although archrivals Honda and Toyota are better known for their hybrids, Nissan has long experience in electric-powered vehicle development, commencing from the first EV 'Tama Electric Vehicle' back in 1947.
The company also claims to have introduced the auto industry's first application of lithium-ion batteries to the Prairie Joy EV in 1996, followed by the ultra-compact Hypermini electric vehicle, released in 2000.
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