Once the perserve of the Japanese domestic market and the occasional videogame, the Nissan GT-R has subsequently become a performance icon.

In its current iteration, it produces 545-horsepower from a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6. 60 mph arrives in around three seconds and de-restricted it'll do almost 200 mph.

And... err... it isn't very green... But the next model may change that to some degree, according to Motor Trend (via our sister site, Motor Authority).

The next-generation car is rumored to use one of two different hybrid drivetrains, currently undergoing evaluation by Nissan's engineers.

The first is expected to be a system similar to that in the 2009 Infiniti Essence Concept.

Using a drivetrains similar to that of the current Nissan GT-R, an electric motor is placed between engine and transmission, much like that found in Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.

Power to the motor is supplied by lithium-ion batteries, boosting power, torque, and reducing load on the engine. Engineers are currently having issues keeping the weight down, however--and the current GT-R is already a portly vehicle.

The second option is simpler, using an electric motor to power ancillary features, reducing load on the engine. Mounted to the gearbox, it could still provide a little extra performance, when required.

Cylinder deactivation and stop-start technology are also being considered, further boosting economy.

Aerodynamics could further improve from the current car's impressive drag coefficient of 0.26--albeit spread across a rather large body, the size of which is unlikely to change much.

If Nissan does go hybrid with the next model, it'll be the latest in a line of other manufacturers hybridizing their flagship models--including Acura with its NSX, the next Ferrari Enzo, and Porsche's 918 Spyder.

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