Nissan developing supercharged hybrid for Infiniti

Nissan Motor Co. is developing a supercharged hybrid powertrain likely to arrive in 2014 in the Infiniti JX crossover.

This configuration advances the system used in the rear-wheel-drive Infiniti M35h Hybrid but has been revised for use on the front- and all-wheel-drive JX. The next-generation powertrain runs a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that works with a lithium-ion battery pack and continuously variable transmission.

It could be run as a traditional gasoline-electric hybrid or as a plug-in setup. Though the JX is expected to get the system, it could be used on a range of vehicles from crossovers or compact cars.

Nissan engineers declined to reveal specifications for the power and electric capabilities, as the system is still being evaluated. It uses one motor and two clutches. Regenerative power comes from the brakes and during deceleration of the CVT.

By comparison, the Infiniti M35h Hybrid, which launched in 2011, runs a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that works with an electric motor for a net output of 360 hp, producing power equivalent to a V8 engine.

We briefly sampled the next-generation hybrid system in a JX on Nissan's road course test circuit in Oppama, Japan. The strong supercharged four-cylinder has plenty of juice--the combination of forced induction with the electric assist makes for an enjoyable drive. It gives the luxury crossover a different kind of energy than exhibited in the conventionally-powered machine, which runs a 265-hp V6.

Meanwhile, Nissan has also developed a version of the front-wheel hybrid configuration for use with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine with direct injection.

By Greg Migliore