Alongside a continued strong push for all-electric vehicles, Nissan announced plans to introduce 15 new hybrids by 2016 at the recent Detroit Auto Show, including the Altima sedan, Murano crossover and Pathfinder SUV. Neither the Pathfinder nor Murano are currently available as hybrids, and the Altima hybrid went out of production with the 2011 model year, so this would likely be a re-launch for 2014.
The same hybrid powertrain Nissan showed off in the Resonance SUV concept that was introduced in Detroit – a 2.5-liter, in-line four-cylinder, with two clutches and CVT, available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive – will also be used in the new hybrids. Nissan claims the system is as powerful as its current conventional gas V6 engine, while increasing fuel economy by ten percent.
This hybrid strategy is part of Nissan’s plan to reduce total corporate CO2 emissions and increase overall fuel economy. According to Nissan, since 2005, vehicles with increased fuel economy – including hybrids and the all-electric Leaf – have increased the company’s overall average fuel economy by 19 percent.
Nissan also is considering bringing diesels to North America. Currently, Nissan diesel passenger cars are sold primarily in Asia.
