To each their own, but I have never understood why the idea of a performance hybrid is such blasphemy. From where I sit progression is good, and the idea of combining a large engine with an electric motor is the same as having my cake and eating it too.
Consider this, in 2009 the Z was in many ways king of the mountain for its price point. At a rated 332hp combined with 18/26mpg and its handling characteristics, not many cars could really compete. Fast forward to today and the Mustang GT (5.0 model) has more power and comparable gas mileage (it is no slouch in the corners either). It is rated at 420hp and 15/26mpg (manual) or 18/25mpg (auto). Even with full bolt ons and an engine tune, the Z seems to be stuck at around 380-390hp and probably a bit less on the mpg side of things which brings us to the ever important question, how will the Z move forward to stay competitive?
The options boil down to one of three choices:
-More displacement
-Forced Induction
-Hybrid
I know many people would prefer one of the first two and of the two, I personally prefer the second for many reasons, but I think the Hybrid option offers a couple advantages over the other two. I see a proper hybrid Z more than leveling the current playing field and once again pushing other manufacturers to raise their game. One that mergers the 332hp engine with an electric motor rated between 70 and 100 hp. Combine that with an increase of 10% in mpg (putting it at ~20/29mpg which I think is on the drastic low end) and I believe the Z would once again be back on top.
Taking this approach would still leave room for the Z to grow through either NA aftermarket parts (basically what we already have) and going the FI route. The NA route could give you a highly fuel efficient Z with around 450 to 490hp (70 to 100hp electric combine with ~50 to 60hp from NA mods) with the FI route being even higher.
All of this of course is strictly opinion of course.
