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  Nissan isn't revealing any details about its hybrid production plans but it may be based on the Infiniti prototype.

• The hybrid 370Z is dismissed as "pure speculation" by Nissan Australia.
• The G37 coupe is expected to get a parallel hybrid powertrain sometime in the next 12 months.
• If Nissan go ahead the 370Z could be one of the first mass-produced high performance hybrid sportscars on the market.

The Nissan 370Z could get extra spark from a hybrid engine.

A petrol-electric power pack is being considered for the 370Z, according to strong reports from overseas linking the Z-car with a Nissan Infiniti hybrid project.

The latest Z-car coupe has just hit Australia, with the droptop Roadster set for early 2010, and now comes the tantalising possibility of a hybrid model with more go and a greener touch.

The hybrid 370Z is dismissed as "pure speculation" by Nissan Australia's passenger car brand manager, Darren Holland.

But the newest Z and the Infiniti G37 coupe share their underpinnings, including 3.7-litre VQ V6 engines, making a Z hybrid a relatively easy possibility.

The G37 coupe is expected to get a parallel hybrid powertrain sometime in the next 12 months.

If Nissan decides to go ahead, the 370Z could be one of the first mass-produced high performance hybrid sportscars on the market.

The Nissan parallel hybrid powertrain has two clutches, meaning one motor is directly connected to the V6 and auto transmission via separate clutches.

The motor switches between the two to optimise and conserve energy and improve fuel efficiency.

The parallel hybrid system eliminates the need for conventional torque converters, contributing to higher responsiveness and acceleration.

It can also incorporate a full electric mode for city driving.

Nissan is already developing new lithium-ion batteries using a rear-drive Infiniti G35 and Cube as prototypes.

The batteries are sourced from a joint-venture between Nissan and NEC, called the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation.

They have superior performance, reliability, safety, versatility and cost competitiveness compared with conventional nickel metal hydride batteries.

Nissan is not revealing any details about its hybrid production plans but based on the Infiniti prototype, a hybrid 370Z could deliver a combined fuel economy figure of less than 7 litres/100km.

Nissan's Holland also says the global economic crisis has put paid to plans to bring Infiniti to Australia in the short term.