Lettuce talk about next gen sports cars.

[RicerX]

The new Camaro has debuted. It's a pretty serious competitor. Magnetic ride suspension for the SS, it's lighter and smaller than the outgoing gen, and it has more power. All models get Brembo brakes. It is going to be available in turbo four, na six, and na eight cylinder configurations (excluding future performance models). Head to head with the Mustang.

The boys at MOPAR haven't played their cards for the Challenger just yet, but you have to think that they're coming with something comparable while staying close to what makes the Challenger attractive. Which leads me to this...

Any of you who know me know where I'm going with this - what does Nissan do with the Z? Does it stay niche? Do they "go big or go home" and make it a full-on direct alternative to the pony cars in terms of performance and configuration (bringing back the 2+2)? Multiple engine configurations? Do they go an entirely different direction?

I'm interested to see what you guys think.

[Bubba1]

I don't see Nissan going bigger/more powerful with the next Z, especially when they already have a big power offering with the GT-R. Problem is Nissan's done little with the GT-R since it's introduction aside from raising it's MSRP drastically, while the rest of the auto industry, especially the pony car segment has evolved with models that offer as much performance (if not more) than the GT-r for a lot less money (cough, hellcat, Z28, etc). the Z has become somewhat of a small anachronistic niche. It's more due to it's competition walking away from the segment. My guess for the next Z is that Nissan will go the cheaper route and move the next Z down to more compete more with smaller cars like the BRZ/FRS or Miata, but with perhaps a little more power. Hardly a stretch. The addition of a 4 cylinder engine will help them with the increasingly tough CAFE standards, which appears to have been a driving force behind their disturbing conversions to CVT. Plus, given the current mindset of Nissan management, with an unusually strong fun prevention department, I just don't see them investing in upgrading the Z into a better sports car until Mr. Ghosn leaves. Until then, it would not surprise me to see a CVT only Z CUV.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Probably 3 liter NA and hybrid models. MAYBE a turbo. 2+2 would be nice.

[OriginalWheelman]

I hate everything now. Nissan has made me a bitter old man. I can only drive Miatas, talk about power to weight, and complain how everything else is a waste of money for a street car. I call it Post Traumatic Nissan Disorder.

[Jesda]

PTND.

I think most of us on NICO are affected.

I can feel the spirit of old Nissan in the Juke. I just wish it didn't have the styling of today's Nissan.

[Bubba1]

PTND.

I think most of us on NICO are affected.

I can feel the spirit of old Nissan in the Juke. I just wish it didn't have the styling of today's Nissan.

Really? I thought the Juke being a FWd, CVT, ugly Crossover felt more like the new spirit of Nissan.

[OriginalWheelman]

The AWD turbo Juke was kinda badass, looks aside. It's the kind of car you smile the entire time you drive it, and you can just throw it around like a toy.

[Bubba1]

The AWD turbo Juke was kinda badass, looks aside. It's the kind of car you smile the entire time you drive it, and you can just throw it around like a toy.

I'd have to drive one to believe that as I understand the AWD turbo Juke only comes with a CVT.

[OriginalWheelman]

It does but it has the full boost all the time if you set the computer up and drive it right. It's surprisingly fast. It's awkwardly tall but the body rolls and the wheels stay flat. I'm nto saying it's amazing, but I get what Jesda is saying about a bit of the Nissan spirit.

[Jesda]

PTND.

I think most of us on NICO are affected.

I can feel the spirit of old Nissan in the Juke. I just wish it didn't have the styling of today's Nissan.

Really? I thought the Juke being a FWd, CVT, ugly Crossover felt more like the new spirit of Nissan.

You can get it with a turbo+manual.