Nissan GT-R hybrid tech may come from F1
Williams already has a significant input in the hybrid technology used by Audi and Porsche race teams.
Nissan’s replacement for the giant-killing R35 GT-R is looking to arrive some time in 2015, and persistent reports suggest it will sport some form of hybrid electric power to help keep fuel economy and emissions within the boundaries of public acceptance.
MotorAuthority is reporting that such hybrid tech could come with the assistance of Williams Advanced Engineering in the UK, the organisation famous for a long Formula One heritage.
Williams already has a significant input in the hybrid technology used by Audi and Porsche race teams, including Audi’s hugely successful Le Mans racers, and has an existing relationship with Nissan’s performance arm NISMO for future road car development.
Nissan recently applied to trademark the “R-Hybrid” moniker, which suggests that the Japanese carmaker is indeed working on performance hybrid models, but it is yet to be confirmed whether the badge will be applied to the future GT-R.
If the next GT-R does end up using hybrid assistance, it is unlikely that a flywheel-based system used by the current Audi and Porsche racers will be employed, but rather take advantage of Williams’ electrical energy recovery and storage knowhow, plus electronic control systems and electric-motor traction control.
Comments