Honda is all set to corner the small, two-door hybrid "sporty" car market with its CR-Z coupe, but rumors now indicate that Nissan could have a little something up its corporate sleeves along a similar vein as well. Powered by a 1.5 liter four cylinder engine along with an electric motor of undetermined size, this hybrid would be based on the same platform as Nissan's Tiida economy car. The small hatchback would be intended primarily for Europe, and we have no idea if the concept is being considered for other markets. Rumors suggest that a DSG transmission would be used in lieu of the more common CVT automatic used by most hybrids. Interestingly, drag could be reduced by using aerodynamic underbody panels, as is done on the amazing GT-R sportscar.

Also in line for a possible hybrid using the same drivetrain would be Nissan's main partner, Renault. If these rumors prove true, expect a launch in late 2010. Thanks for the tip, Steve!

[Source: 7Tune.com]

Let me post this question first... Is there such a thing as an off-road sportscar, or is that a contradiction in terms? I thought for a moment about that, and decided, sure... why not? A reasonable case could be made that some of the off-road dune buggy's like the Meyers Manx kits could be considered off-road sportcars. What do you think?

Before you answer, consider this concept vehicle. Edmunds is reporting that the car was designed by students at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin, Italy, and shown in Geneva. The students were helped along by Luca Borgogno, a designer for Pininfarina. Unique aspects of the drivetrain, even to hybrids, are what they are calling a thermal/electric powerplant. Exactly what that means is not clear. The power from the engine is transmitted to the wheels via hydraulic lines to each wheel. I am not certain, but what I imagine this means is that the hybrid powerplant drives a hydraulic pump to four individual hydraulic motors at each wheel. Interesting, I wonder what the power loss of this system would be as compared to a more traditional approach, like four electric motors, one at each wheel like some other concepts we have seen.

[Source: Edmunds Inside Line]

All right, ladies and gentlemen, step right up. Tonight on the AutoblogGreen showroom we'd like to introduce you to our latest (maybe greatest) feature: photo galleries. We'll have high-resolution images up soon for the big news car of the day, the Chevy Volt, and until then – and to kind of test out the system – here are some pictures of the Toyota FT-HS. You've read about this hybrid sports car concept vehicle that will be officially unveiled at the NAIAS this week already, but how about some images to go along with those words.

Just so you know, all AutoblogGreen galleries will feature high-resolution images that are 1,280 pixels wide (unless we can't get images that large). Click on the images above or below to visit the gallery, and remember that the images are downloadable for your personal use. Can you say desktop wallpaper?

Also, click through the link to read Toyota's latest press release regarding the FT-HS.



[Source: Toyota]

Jeremy mentioned Toyota's new hybrid sports car concept vehicle, the FT-HS, the other day, but now Toyota has sent out a press release (read it after the jump) with a few more precious details on this 21st Century sports car. The Toyota FT-HS concept will officially debuts this weekend at the Detroit Auto Show, so for the time being, Toyota is only releasing "preliminary specifications." They are as follows:

• Drivetrain: 3.5 Liter V6 hybrid electric
• DIMENSIONS (inches)
  Overall Length: 170.27
  Overall Width: 73.23
  Overall Height: 50.79
  Wheelbase: 104.33
  Wheels: Carbon Fiber
  Tire Sizes: Front 245/35R21 Rear 285/30R21
  

In short, we still don't know much about the FT-HS, aside that is would be a mid-priced vehicle if it's ever produced. The front-engine, rear-drive car was designed by Calty, Toyota's North American-based, research and design center in Newport Beach, Calif., and Toyota's California-based Advanced Product Strategy Group. Claty's Alex Shen led the design team. The lightweight FT-HS has ultra-low emissions and, as reported, should have a target power output of about 400-horsepower and 0-60 speed of about 4 seconds.

For a gallery of (computer-generated) images of the FT-HS, click here.

[Source: Toyota Motor Sales]