Infiniti Emerg-E hybrid leaked

Dashing sports car with electric drive and range-booster petrol engine is in the wings for Nissan luxury offshoot

These ghostly cyberspace images portray an upcoming Emerg-E petrol-electric sports car concept from Infiniti, the Nissan luxury brand that is due to make a Lazarus-style return to the Australian market later this year.

Embracing the entire car rather than revealing the small sections seen in voluptuous teaser pictures leaked by the company last month, the leaked patent images show a low-slung two-seat super coupe that will be revealed in the flesh at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show opening in March.

With high-power electric motors providing supercar punch and a conventional 1.4-litre petrol engine charging the batteries, the Emerg-E is claimed to offer uncompromising supercar performance combined with the ability to run on pure, zero emission electric power.

The petrol engine and electric motor/battery pack are believed to be mounted midships behind the seats to give a 50-50 weight balance. The cruising range is said to be the same as a conventionally driven car.

Using the mind's eye to merge the small teaser sections revealed by Infiniti, an overall picture of an arrestingly styled supercar comes to life. The Emerg-E will give Infiniti a halo car to enhance the company image in a way that can only help its return to Australia.