Nissan renews talk of sub-370Z sports car to take on Subaru BRZ
04-09-12, 01:12 PM
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Nissan renews talk of sub-370Z sports car to take on Subaru BRZ
Nissan renews talk of sub-370Z sports car to take on Subaru BRZ
Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S got you excited? Well, it appears the new Toyobaru twins might be moving the needle at other automakers, too. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the pair may have challenged Nissan to once again reinvestigate its on-again, off-again plans for an affordable, lightweight sports coupe of its own. Nissan's Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura, says his employer is looking at downsizing its Z sports car, though it isn't clear if that would mean the Japanese automaker would field two separate Z models or just replace the current 370Z with a smaller, less costly model.
"I much prefer smaller sports car," Nakamura tells the Herald. "It is the time to look at that. With 370Z, we still don't know next generation will have a larger or smaller engine."
If Nissan were to reduce the size of the 370's powerplant, it would be the first time that model's displacement has dropped. Since the Z gets its model designation from the size of its engine (3.7 liter V6), Nissan could have a problem marketing a smaller Z called the 300Z, since the last time a new 300Z was sold in the States was way back in 1986.
More likely would be the revival of long-forgotten nameplates like 200SX or 240SX. Either would almost certainly be direct competition for the Subaru and Scion rear-drive coupes.
Nakamura reminded fans that even if the 370Z loses some cubic inches, Nissan will still have the young but already legendary GT-R. When asked if Nissan would be willing to support three sports cars, Nakamura says, "If there is a market, we will do it."
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/09/n...on-subaru-brz/
04-09-12, 01:22 PM
#2
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How about a rear wheel drive 240SX type car but throw in the 2.5L from the Sentra Spec V, call it the 250SX. Fit it with a nice 6 speed and call it a day. I really hope they dont tinker with the Z like that. It would be a very poor move (I own a 370z right now).
04-10-12, 08:16 PM
#7
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Interesting. Those of you who saw my recent BRZ static-review (I'm still awaiting the test-drive) will note that one of my comments was that the BRZ and FRS seem to be the best replacement for the original 240Z/260Z/280Z of the 1970s to have come along in some 40 years. Apparantly Nissan recognizes that, too....and that the current 370Z, like the 300ZX of the 1990s, is just too expensive, really in a different class.
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04-10-12, 09:01 PM
#8
Interesting. Those of you who saw my recent BRZ static-review (I'm still awaiting the test-drive) will note that one of my comments was that the BRZ and FRS seem to be the best replacement for the original 240Z/260Z/280Z of the 1970s to have come along in some 40 years. Apparantly Nissan recognizes that, too....and that the current 370Z, like the 300ZX of the 1990s, is just too expensive, really in a different class.
04-12-12, 09:40 AM
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Well the reason we have a 350/370Z is b/c of parts sharing/cutting costs. Sharing the platform does make the sports car heavier but it enables it to live. Without the FM platform there would be no Z, Ghosn doesn't sign off on any money losing propositions.
This is the exact opposite philosophy of the FT86 triplets who the engineers refused to share platforms with anything and its built from the ground up, thus it having the lowest center of gravity of any car etc etc. Its not a car about profit and margins, its about we built it for enthusiasts.
If Nissan goes forward with this, which would be AWESOME (never understood why we never got the Sylvia) expect it to share Renault and maybe even Benz parts. Renault makes some amazing small sporty cars so it should work well.
This is the exact opposite philosophy of the FT86 triplets who the engineers refused to share platforms with anything and its built from the ground up, thus it having the lowest center of gravity of any car etc etc. Its not a car about profit and margins, its about we built it for enthusiasts.
If Nissan goes forward with this, which would be AWESOME (never understood why we never got the Sylvia) expect it to share Renault and maybe even Benz parts. Renault makes some amazing small sporty cars so it should work well.
04-12-12, 11:59 AM
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This is the exact opposite philosophy of the FT86 triplets who the engineers refused to share platforms with anything and its built from the ground up, thus it having the lowest center of gravity of any car etc etc. Its not a car about profit and margins, its about we built it for enthusiasts.
Also relevant:
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs...7-c3feb4b619f1
Last edited by speedflex; 04-12-12 at 12:04 PM.