Why Nissan NEEDS an Affordable RWD Sports Car

[RicerX]

To bring this thread closer to on track, the BRZ has a new tS model coming out in Japan only, for 500 units.

Did you see the hype across every car news site? This for a BRZ that *might* be a BRZ STi. They'll sell all 500 of them in quick fashion even though there are masses of people that think it's a ricer-kit.

You don't see people rushing out to buy NISMO Zs. And there's not a BRZ equivalent to even hype. Even GM is going to bring out a budget RWD sport coupe! GM! You know, the guys who showed up six years late with the HHR in response to the popularity of the PT Cruiser?

[AZhitman]

Not good news from the Infiniti front:

...de Nysschen quashed rumours Infiniti would produce a Porsche Cayman rival based on the Emerg-E concept from Geneva last year. "We won't do a small a small sports car as that is a declining sector."

[frapjap]

Not good news from the Infiniti front:

...de Nysschen quashed rumours Infiniti would produce a Porsche Cayman rival based on the Emerg-E concept from Geneva last year. "We won't do a small a small sports car as that is a declining sector."

Mercedes CL and SL classes?
BMW 1series, Z4, and M3?
AE86 and BRZ?
Boxster?
Audi TT?
Audi RS series?
MX-5 (must be a SUPER declining sector since they're still making this vehicle?)
Even hatches- GTI, R32, Focus ST

These guys are turning into another soul-less Acura in a huge rush.

[Bubba1]

Not good news from the Infiniti front:

...de Nysschen quashed rumours Infiniti would produce a Porsche Cayman rival based on the Emerg-E concept from Geneva last year. "We won't do a small a small sports car as that is a declining sector."

I don't consider it that huge of a shocker given that Infiniti has never offered a small 2 seat sports car in the US. The G coupe, before it became a Q something something) had a back seat. Though you'd think with their large investment in F1, Infiniti'd think about building one.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Even the M30 had back seats. Of course, it wasn't really a sports car, either. More like a Japanese take on the T-bird's "Personal Luxury Car" formula.

[krash]

I always saw the M30 as an Infiniti 240sx. They even made a convertible.

[AZhitman]

Still doesn't make sense. Well-engineered, attractive GT's will ALWAYS have a place in the market.

[AZhitman]

Not good news from the Infiniti front:

...de Nysschen quashed rumours Infiniti would produce a Porsche Cayman rival based on the Emerg-E concept from Geneva last year. "We won't do a small a small sports car as that is a declining sector."

By the way, I wonder how you reconcile that statement from Mr. de Nysschen with this announcement:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/infiniti/6 ... oupe-rival

Hmmmm....

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I don't think he really considers the likes of the M3 a small sports coupe (its more of a large sports coupe), so that's most likely what they'll be building competition for.
The Cayman is pretty tight in comparison.

[s14280zx]

My poor 98 240sx will be turning over 200,000 miles tomarrow! Damn it come on Nissan! Dust off the old S15 platform, and give us what we never got a chance to have legally. That would more than satisfy me! Mr. Palmer, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!? Get your head out of your GTR!

[float_6969]

They think they have a small sports car already. It's called a NISMO Juke. I hope I didn't make you spit something out of your nose when you read that.

[IBCoupe]

They think they have a small sports car already. It's called a NISMO Juke. I hope I didn't make you spit something out of your nose when you read that.

Juke:


Juke-R:

[float_6969]

LMFAO! That's EXACTLY right. Too perfect

[AZhitman]

Isaac, I think you're thinking of the NISMO Juke.

The Juke R:

[AZhitman]

BTW, there HAS been some progress on the topic of this thread...

I'm checking to see what I can say without getting sued, and should have an update later this evening for you guys.

[RicerX]

BTW, there HAS been some progress on this front...

I'm checking to see what I can say without getting sued, and should have an update later this evening for you guys.

I just want to know if it's good progress or CVT-Crossover progress.

[krash]

CVT 370Z crossover cabrio???

[sx moneypit]

Should i hold off buying a 370Z??

[RicerX]

CVT 370Z crossover cabrio???

OMG GREG YOU HAVE to let us know if it's the highly anticipated NISMO 370Z X-Crosscabriolet. It's the Nissan we never knew we always wanted, complete with little red stripes and a front splitter plus a power retractable hard top that turns into a giant spoiler when fully retracted. DAT a** THO

Should i hold off buying a 370Z??

NO. BUY IT NOW. =) The next Z is going to be a two door Rogue with a hybrid powertrain at this rate.

[AZhitman]

I love you guys.

Seriously.

[sx moneypit]

CVT 370Z crossover cabrio???

OMG GREG YOU HAVE to let us know if it's the highly anticipated NISMO 370Z X-Crosscabriolet. It's the Nissan we never knew we always wanted, complete with little red stripes and a front splitter plus a power retractable hard top that turns into a giant spoiler when fully retracted. DAT a** THO

Should i hold off buying a 370Z??

NO. BUY IT NOW. =) The next Z is going to be a two door Rogue with a hybrid powertrain at this rate.

[dre1507]

In for update. Can't wait.

[AZhitman]

OK, so here's the scoop.

The Nissan 370Z's successor is confirmed to appear at the Tokyo Motor Show. The car that is being transported to Tokyo is a concept model, and not quite production-ready.

Interestingly, Andy Palmer describes it as "a successor to the 240sx."

The car is both smaller and lighter than the current 370Z. As far as the powerplant, two sources have let it slip that the car will be packing a 320+ horsepower turbocharged 4-banger.

We're not sure whether something got lost in translation (which would be difficult, since Mr. Palmer speaks impeccable English), but his next statement is nothing short of confusing:

“I don’t want to position it as a Toyota GT86 style car though. That traditional sleek sports car is nice but not the market I want to address. I want to address the issue of a next generation sports car.”

Based on other information we're piecing together, there may be a hybrid version, providing additional power and torque (which might make a nice late-model-year addition NISMO model) Mr. Palmer confirmed the addition of a NISMO model, so only the hybrid speculation is ours.

Lastly, we'll be looking at a delivery date of early 2015 for the first run of the new Z.

Here's hoping it's all we hoped for - After spending this past weekend surrounded by some of the cool stuff Nissan has slated for the next few years, I'm excited and optimistic.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

So right around Thanksgiving. Hopefully we'll have something to be thankful for

[2008AltiCoupeDan]

About time. It better look like a 89ish body 240. Bring back the sexy fastback look

Fiskernissan karma240leafvolt has a nice ring to it lol how are they gn a fit that on a trunk badge. Thank you for making my mind bleed!!

I like the juke. At least. .. the idea.
Hhr... hideous
pontiac aztek...id rock it. Lol
Mr greg hitman...da bomb. Cus u like to blow our minds ha

[float_6969]

I'm not excited. Just the opposite. The Z with a 4 banger? Seriously? That's a bean counter desicion IMHO. "Erm it's gonna cost too much money to design another platform, and the Z isn't selling well, and we're getting our asses handed to us by the Toyobaru, so we'll just make the Z competition for it.....but we'll say it's NOT! Brilliant!"

Don't get me wrong, 320Hp is nothing to scoff at....until you remember that is a step BACKWARDS in horsepower... and undoubtedly torque. Unless there is an electric motor attached to the 4 cylinder, that thing is NOT going to have the powerband that a V6 does, and even if it's lighter than the 370, I'll bet at best it's just as fast, but will likely be slower.

And when I hear, "I don’t want to position it as a Toyota GT86 style car though. That traditional sleek sports car is nice but not the market I want to address. I want to address the issue of a next generation sports car." all I REALLY hear is, "We're going to make a turbo 4 cylinder Z with less power, torque, and performance than the current Z, but we're not going to charge less for it, so it's not competition for the Toyobaru, which is kicking our a**, and we're TOTALLY in denial about it"

Whatever, this new abomination better be nuke-in-my-brain-mind-blowing, because what I'm hearing right now is just more disappointment

[sx moneypit]

I just hope it resembles the original Z.

[RicerX]

Don't get me wrong, 320Hp is nothing to scoff at....until you remember that is a step BACKWARDS in horsepower... and undoubtedly torque. Unless there is an electric motor attached to the 4 cylinder, that thing is NOT going to have the powerband that a V6 does, and even if it's lighter than the 370, I'll bet at best it's just as fast, but will likely be slower.

Meh... I wouldn't be so dismissive of torque figures in this configuration. Both the Mazdaspeed3 and Subaru WRX STi produce higher peak torque than the current 370 and the peak shows up much sooner in the powerband. That is being done with 2.3L and 2.5L turbo four mills respectively. It can be done right and it can improve from where the Z is now. The sports car game is changing. Just think - the GT-R does things with a turbo 6 that supercar makers can't make happen with 10 and 12 cylinders. Same concept, albeit significantly downmarket.

You also have to consider the total package. Yes, it should have 320-ish HP, but what if it's that figure is packaged at around 2800lbs curb weight? It will make the 370Z look like a pig. If that power figure is for 3200-ish pounds? That would be a downgrade.

I have been thinking about this for months - even the Mustang is rumored to pick up an Ecoboost four cylinder. It is possible that a six will still be offered (possibly even the 3.5 hybrid configuration found in the new Q50). Like I said - the game is changing. This doesn't have to be a bad thing.

That said - the Z enthusiast in me is a bit sad. It has never been anything but a six cylinder. I understand things must change for the sake of progression. I will hold out judgement from here and wait until November.

However, I will say this - if this damn car is a derivative of a Juke, then I have purchased my final Nissan product ever.

[Jesda]

A turbo-4 is just fine.

Weight is the answer to that question.

[AZhitman]

A turbo-4 is just fine.

Exactly.

Funny how so many people were fine with it in the Silvia, but freak out when we talk about it in a Z.

No matter HOW much you want a car to look like an '89 240sx, it ain't happening. Ever. Period.

Anyone who knows anything about vehicle manufacturing would know that previous designs won't pass modern safety standards. If you want an '89 240sx (and I'm not sure why you would if you're in the market for a new car), then go buy and restore one.

Let's stick to reality here, guys.