Nissan committed to replacing 370Z and GT-R

[lil'redwagon]

This car would be great as long as they offer a MT and hydraulic steering. The engine is badass and the chassis is good if it's a lighter version of the Q60 chassis. While EPS isn't a given for a Z, if it's on the chassis from the Q50/60, neither of those have a steering column, so hopefully the chassis has room for one.

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[BeepBoop]

EPS with an actual steering column is just fine with me. So long as there's a hard connection from the wheel to the wheels, it doesn't matter how it's assisted. No hydraulic pump to explode or whine with EPS.

As for the announcement, I'll believe it when I see it. Till then, I'm going to assume this will end up being worse than even the supra as far as disappointment, since it's nissan and their track record isn't so hot.

[White out]

Another car on par with Supra makes sense.

[4S-TURBO]

Please make look good.

[oichan]

Nissan is big with their DAS (was it?) EPS, so I assume they will not offer hydraulic steering on any future cars.

Hydraulic steering is good for previous but these days EPS has gotten so much better that I could care less if hydraulic steering went away on new cars.. well, I still have my STI so..

[godfather2112]

I'll be cautiously optimistic. If they can make a car that competes with the Supra / M2 and have it fully loaded for $50k, I'll be interested. If not, I'll just stick with an M2.

[Skunkers]

Originally Posted by Sid03SVT

I did not know that the Q60 was over 4,000lbs - holy crap; how heavy is this piggy going to be? I'd prefer less power and less weight to more power and more weight; but if the Z is in any way related to the GT-R or the Q60, it's going to be a fatty.

Devils advocate - a "400Z" based on the existing 370Z with an updated interior would be pretty sweet. Note: by updated interior I don't mean massive screen and all the BS, I mean better materials & maintain the analog stuff.

Although I wonder what the engine weight difference is, would have to lighten up the front end to maintain the weight distribution.

The Q60 isn't that heavy. RWD 3.0T's are in the 3,700lb range, ~3,800lb range for the Red Sport. That's not bad for a luxury coupe, and it's not far from the low ~3,700 range a G37 Coupe weighed when the 370Z came out.

It's only with AWD that the Q60 reaches into the 4,000lb range.

[hi5.0]

Have a feeling Nissan will make this Z car more in line with the Z32 (GT) while going after the Zupra price-wise.

[lil'redwagon]

Yeah as far as weight, going by the previous generations of the G37 and 370Z (both based on the same chassis, the G37 was in the high 3600s and the 370Z was in the 3200s. Considering that the new platform Q60 Red Sport is in the high 3800, low 3900 range, then that tells me that if they do the same difference of interior/sound deadening treatment between the cars, then the new Z would be in the 3400 range. Not a lightweight, but not a total porker.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

I'd like to see both come back, but Nissan just hasn't been getting them right. The Z has just always been plagued by weight along with the competition passing them by. The GT-R is just aging while its intended competition is already two generations ahead, plus the car is so much more expensive now.

Would it be possible for the future Z car and the GT-R to be built on the same platform? That could help cut costs, because the current GT-R never seemed to share much with other Nissan models, which never helped its pricing. I'm curious if it would be possible to have the Z be a turbocharged four-cylinder, exclusively with a manual transmission, to appeal more to the purist; then the GT-R would be the much higher-tech car, with a twin-turbo V-6, AWD and whatever high-tech automated transmission is available, plus its own unique bodywork to further separate it from the Z. I just don't think they can chase 911 Turbo buyers anymore, but if they can make something really good and in the five-figure range.

[jimmi]

Originally Posted by Brahmzy

Holy tuner car. Do it Nissan. Don’t make it $70K.

It will probably fall in with the pricing of the Supra, its most direct competitor.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by jimmi

It will probably fall in with the pricing of the Supra, its most direct competitor.

They have a shot, particularly if it ends up being a great looking car. That BMW engine in the Supra is buttery smooth (plus it's getting 380+ hp for 2021), but luckily for Nissan, the Supra's front end is ugly and not nearly as good as the concept car was.

[Skunkers]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

I'd like to see both come back, but Nissan just hasn't been getting them right. The Z has just always been plagued by weight along with the competition passing them by. The GT-R is just aging while its intended competition is already two generations ahead, plus the car is so much more expensive now.

Would it be possible for the future Z car and the GT-R to be built on the same platform? That could help cut costs, because the current GT-R never seemed to share much with other Nissan models, which never helped its pricing. I'm curious if it would be possible to have the Z be a turbocharged four-cylinder, exclusively with a manual transmission, to appeal more to the purist; then the GT-R would be the much higher-tech car, with a twin-turbo V-6, AWD and whatever high-tech automated transmission is available, plus its own unique bodywork to further separate it from the Z. I just don't think they can chase 911 Turbo buyers anymore, but if they can make something really good and in the five-figure range.

If Nissan's plans haven't changed, no way in hell could the Z share the same platform. The last direction we heard is that Nissan wants the next GT-R to potentially be a world-beater. It seems their ambition is to take on the hypercar segment with the next one, not the 911.

With that being said, it's been years since the last word on that; and, as it stands, Nissan is in absolute shambles right now. On top of that, they now have the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic to deal with as well. So I can't imagine a new GT-R is coming anytime soon (also not least because we saw mules/test cars for the old one for years before it actually came). It wouldn't be surprising at all if this Z was only being getting funds dog-earred because they had to shelve the more expensive GT-R project for the time being. The rumors that the new Z will still be on the FM-platform and carry the VR30 engine from the Q60 would lend weight to the theory that sports car plans have shifted at Nissan; as if that is true, this is a car they easily could have designed 5 years ago and released in tandem with the Q60.

Originally Posted by Brahmzy

Holy tuner car. Do it Nissan. Don't make it $70K.

Speaking of tuner cars... I think the secret squirrel biggest tuner car deal in years is coming as Q60s are already in the sub-$25K range. As they continue to fall in price to sub-$20K they are gonna be amazing bargains for people looking to make big power. Bolt-ons and tune are good for near 500hp, and the important (and hilarious) part is you don't need a Red Sport to do that; the "regular" 3.0T are basically detuned Red Sport motors and are capable of the same gains. Yeah, they're porky, but the power they are capable of for the money is gonna be off the charts.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

If Nissan's plans haven't changed, no way in hell could the Z share the same platform. The last direction we heard is that Nissan wants the next GT-R to potentially be a world-beater. It seems their ambition is to take on the hypercar segment with the next one, not the 911.

Assuming you are referring to the 911 Turbo (which is what I had specifically stated as well), the 2021 model more or less has hypercar acceleration (0-60 in the mid-2s, quarter-mile in the mid-10s), so it'll still be one of their benchmarks, as it always has been.

If they want to take on hypercars on tracks with twisties (which also more or less has been their goal for the R35), that's a great accomplishment, but I feel like it's more important for them to sell it at a more reasonable price (or at least have a comparable performance-per-dollar ratio that the earlier R35 GT-Rs had) than to be able to chase down Aventadors, because if it can do that but at a $200,000+ pricetag (because it's going to be the higher-end Nismo variant to do that and not likely the "standard" GT-R), I don't know if it'll be a surefire success.

[JP Chestnut]

Nissan should probably worry about not going out of business.

[Skunkers]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

Assuming you are referring to the 911 Turbo (which is what I had specifically stated as well), the 2021 model more or less has hypercar acceleration (0-60 in the mid-2s, quarter-mile in the mid-10s), so it'll still be one of their benchmarks, as it always has been.

If they want to take on hypercars on tracks with twisties (which also more or less has been their goal for the R35), that's a great accomplishment, but I feel like it's more important for them to sell it at a more reasonable price (or at least have a comparable performance-per-dollar ratio that the earlier R35 GT-Rs had) than to be able to chase down Aventadors, because if it can do that but at a $200,000+ pricetag (because it's going to be the higher-end Nismo variant to do that and not likely the "standard" GT-R), I don't know if it'll be a surefire success.

I agree with you on performance/price, but I'm just saying last we heard, Nissan doesn't. They wanted to build one of the fastest cars in the world; i.e. go even more full on ham than the R35 did. Now again, the last we heard about that was a couple years ago, so I don't know what Nissan's current predicament means in terms of those plans. It certainly wouldn't seem prudent at this point with the current state of Nissan and the global auto market as a whole. I would imagine any R36 plans are on hold, and since we haven't seen much in terms of mules; that might be a safe bet. It's still all speculation, of course.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

I agree with you on performance/price, but I'm just saying last we heard, Nissan doesn't. They wanted to build one of the fastest cars in the world; i.e. go even more full on ham than the R35 did. Now again, the last we heard about that was a couple years ago, so I don't know what Nissan's current predicament means in terms of those plans. It certainly wouldn't seem prudent at this point with the current state of Nissan and the global auto market as a whole. I would imagine any R36 plans are on hold, and since we haven't seen much in terms of mules; that might be a safe bet. It's still all speculation, of course.

Glad we agree on that part. But that's why I'm saying it might be worth them reconsidering the having the two cars share a bit more, if it can help cut down their costs significantly. They're going to have to compromise a bit with the GT-R and perhaps use fewer bespoke parts, because while six-figure Nissans are capable of some fantastic performance and can grab headlines, it has become a harder and harder sales pitch.

But if they're sticking with their current approach and wanting to sell it for how much we assume they will (and not what we think they should, regardless of performance), do you think maybe it's time for them to brand it as an Infiniti (or at least sell it at those dealerships) and just keep all GT-R emblems on it?

[Skunkers]

Originally Posted by DeeezNuuuts83

But if they're sticking with their current approach and wanting to sell it for how much we assume they will (and not what we think they should, regardless of performance), do you think maybe it's time for them to brand it as an Infiniti (or at least sell it at those dealerships) and just keep all GT-R emblems on it?

Speaking for myself, I think brand heritage is important. I also think having a no-compromise flagship to inspire the rest of the lineup is also perhaps even more important. With those things in mind, my personal preference would be to keep the GT-R as a Nissan regardless of what direction they take it. I do believe Infiniti should also have a flagship, ideally maybe something like the GT-R-powered Eau Rouge concept they did a few years ago; but I would envision it as it's own bespoke flagship model, not a Q50 trim.

Dunno how soon any of that can happen though. In the mean time, just looking forward to a VR30-powered Z.

[godfather2112]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

Speaking for myself, I think brand heritage is important. I also think having a no-compromise flagship to inspire the rest of the lineup is also perhaps even more important. With those things in mind, my personal preference would be to keep the GT-R as a Nissan regardless of what direction they take it. I do believe Infiniti should also have a flagship, ideally maybe something like the GT-R-powered Eau Rouge concept they did a few years ago; but I would envision it as it's own bespoke flagship model, not a Q50 trim.

Dunno how soon any of that can happen though. In the mean time, just looking forward to a VR30-powered Z.

Brand heritage is dead unless buying German.

Toyota uses a Subaru engine for the 86 and more or less, uses the entire Z4 chassis, engine, trans, infotainment, etc.

Whatever the penny pinchers think will add the most to the bottom line (usually doesn’t) will yield what they do.

Nissan once produced quality vehicles and engines. Now they produce overpriced garbage.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Originally Posted by Skunkers

Speaking for myself, I think brand heritage is important. I also think having a no-compromise flagship to inspire the rest of the lineup is also perhaps even more important. With those things in mind, my personal preference would be to keep the GT-R as a Nissan regardless of what direction they take it. I do believe Infiniti should also have a flagship, ideally maybe something like the GT-R-powered Eau Rouge concept they did a few years ago; but I would envision it as it's own bespoke flagship model, not a Q50 trim.

I agree, and I was one of the people saying that the GT-R had to be a Nissan, and it was. But that was back in 2007 and when the GT-R was $70k. In 2020 when the GT-R costs around $110k, the brand heritage is harder to sell. People here who weren't JDM heads in the 90s but like cars have had over a decade to learn what the GT-R is, and they now know, so it's less important to keep branding it as a Nissan, if they want to keep charging six figures for it, especially if they focus more on GT-R emblems like I suggested.

It's different for a car like the Supra, which is being sold for $50k and not totally out of place inside a Toyota dealership, plus the Supra was well-known here as a Toyota for the previous generations.

[AVANTI R5]

NISMO version of new Nissan 400Z sports car to take on upcoming Toyota Supra GRMN track weapon

Nissan 400Z NISMO

When the new Nissan 400Z sports car arrives in 2022 it will ensure the famous Z-car blood line lives on – and a high-performance track-ready NISMO model is all but certain.

Reports out of Japan suggest a hotter version dubbed the Nissan 480Z will eventuate, blasting out loads of power — 480hp or around 360kW from its twin-turbo V6. Neither the 480Z nor 400Z names have been confirmed, but a likely scenario is that the next Z-car will be called the 400Z and, as is currently the case, offered in coupe, convertible and NISMO guises.

Regular Nissan 400Z models are almost certain to get a development of the Infiniti Q60’s twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 (VR30DDTT) engine, which currently pumps out 298kW and 475Nm and still has a lot of life left in it.


Nissan 400Z

The upcoming Nissan 400Z NISMO will generate mega power
The 2022 Nissan 400Z NISMO will likely get eye-catching aerodynamic body work and upgraded suspension, brakes and engine outputs — potentially the 360kW/480hp figures mentioned above.

Designed to fight the upcoming high-performance Toyota Supra GRMN, the track-ready Nissan 400Z NISMO may even get an electrically-driven twin-turbo version of the VR30DDTT to dial up a scorching 420kW. Early development (in conjunction with the Renault Sport F1 team) on that engine upgrade has already been carried out but it is very much a long shot for the 400Z given its expected high asking price.

In mid-April, respected British publication Autocar reported that the Nissan 400Z would get the twin-turbo V6 (which has since been confirmed by insiders) and will be sale within 12 months. However, carsales understands that timeline may be a little premature.

The seventh-generation Nissan Z-car began to break cover in late 2019 when a modified 370Z with extra cooling vents was seen smashing out laps at the Nurburgring road circuit in Germany.



Nissan 400Z


Will the Nissan 400Z reconnect with its ancestors or look to the future? Or both?
We expect the existing Nissan 370Z (Z34 generation) to solider on for at least the next couple of years, and a concept version of the new Z35-series to lob next year – most likely at the 2021 Tokyo motor show next October. The Z concept car will preview the production car coming in 2022, with some of the wilder design elements to be toned down for the Z35 road car.

The design of the rear-drive Nissan 400Z coupe is still a closely guarded secret and it’s not clear whether it will be an evolution of the current 370Z design, adopt a fresh new look or include classic styling cues from the previous Z-cars like the Nissan 240Z from the early 1970s.

Nissan 400Z
Will the new Nissan 400Z look to the past for its design inspiration?
Whatever the case, a legion of talented artists have created some cool fan art – including the creations on this page from Guillaume Lerouge.

These renders use the Nissan Fairlady Z naming convention, which is what the current 370Z cars are called in Japan. For the record, the Fairlady name comes from the idea that driving a good sports car is like dancing with an elegant lady.

Nissan Z: 50-years in the making

While it’s unlikely we’ll ever see a shooting brake version of a Nissan sports car in future, the upcoming 400Z will continue the Z-car legacy which started in 1969 with the Nissan 240Z.

The iconic 300ZX that carried the Z brand through the 1980s and 1990s was followed by the Nissan 350Z in 2002, after former Nissan CEO and now international criminal-at-large Carlos Ghosn famously declared: “We will build the Z and we will make it profitable”.

The current Nissan 370Z was launched in 2008 and, 14 years later, the 2022 Z-car will debut a new take on the famous Z logo.

.

[Brahmzy]

Bring it

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Cool, but a production model won't look anything like it

[4S-TURBO]

[godfather2112]

Can someone fire the entire executive team, board of directors, and penny pinchers and fin the mother ****ing roots and what people want.

People don't want the Z
People don't want their trucks
People don't want their cars
People don't want their sports cars
People don't want their CUV's or suvs.

Purge the company and get people who know cars, trucks and SUV's. Until that happens, it's following the path of Mitsubishi and circling the automotive drain.