Driving Nissan's Hybrid Prototype

Green Car Journal's test drive of a prototype Nissan hybrid electric vehicle clearly underscores this automaker's grasp of how to bring hybrid technology to the highway. The Nissan Altima hybrid combines this popular sedan's conventional 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with a 100+ horsepower electric motor, along with a Nissan adaptation of Toyota's electronic motor controller. Together, it's a package that offers impressive acceleration and none of the performance sacrifices expected of first-generation hybrids.

In the Altima, the electric motor and controller are based on next generation Toyota Synergy Drive hybrid componentry. Because Nissan has licensed this technology for its upcoming hybrid models, the automaker benefits from Toyota's substantial hybrid experience and gains a jump ahead of some competitors in the hybrid arena.

This early Altima hybrid is well-done but not seamless, as one would reasonably expect of a prototype. At present the passenger seat's footwell is consumed by a black box and temporary instruments are bolted to the instrument panel. A high frequency controller noise emanates from the box. Still, it's a solid demonstration of Nissan's direction and a valuable early look at what Nissan has in mind for its initial high-performance hybrid model.