What can we expect from 2012 Z?
 

I know it would mostly be speculation at this point, but what are everyone's thoughts on what we can expect from the 2012 370z? A hp bump perhaps? Exterior changes? My lease will be up next year and I'm intrigued on what the 2012 will bring.

What I want to know is if Nissan plans to up displacement any further in the future.. how big can you make a 6cyl. lol 420Z

I have a feeling that either:

A) Nissan is going to produce a few more years of the 370z at most without much change. The reason why, in my opinion, is the fact that it really doesn't have any competition. What other sports cars can be had in the $30k-$35k price range? Unless you're looking at a "performance car" (like the Mustang/Camaro, etc) but is not strictly a sports car then I guess that's competition. But to be honest, that's comparing a sports car to a muscle car. I think Nissan is going to take advantage of that.

B) Nissan is going to rework it's little sports car to be geared a little more towards performance in order to be more competitive against similar "performance vehicles" in the price range. I'm talking like upping the displacement (4.0L v8?). What I'd like to see (but comes with an obvious $ difference) is a 400zx. Essentially a call back to the 300zx, except this time around offering a small displacement v8 (4.0L) and offering NA and twin turbo versions.

OR they could use a more aggressively tuned/built NA 5.6L v8, an engine they have already developed and being sold in their M56 and QX56 models. I would imagine that it could produce ~450 flywheel horsepower, outpowering the Mustang and Camaro and hopefully they could keep the weight down (3400 lbs maybe?) I'm sure a lot of people want an even lighter Z than the 370z but let's be serious. The 300zx was heavy, why not the 420zx or 560z?

I really wish Nissan would consider moving in this direction, possibly making it a tad more expensive, and then introducing a very entry level sports car (revival of the 240sx?) with possibly a turbo'd 4 cylinder for the environmentally concerned buyer and an NA v6 (possibly the VQ35 or VQ37?) for the people who want a bit more performance and less gas mileage.

I think Nissan could approach this a number of ways but I'm confident change WILL happen by 2014.

Does Nissan already have a larger V6 or V8 in production? If they already had a higher HP motor in a larger displacement I could see them offering it as an option. I bet they only make some slight appearance changes but nothing too serious.

Most likely small changes lin the exterior. Different front and rear bumpers. New color option. Perhaps different wheels.

A v8 would be pointless and ruin the Z at the same time. They could just as easily go with a smaller displacement motor and TT set up to get the power needed for the future as well as possibly gain a few mpg which will be needed given all the new government mandates regarding mpg. I mean look at the GTR. A 3.8 TT that puts out over 500hp stock. Why go with a V8?

However, regarding the 370z I see the usual minor exterior tweaks and perhaps small bump in hp for 2012. The 370z is due for it's mid model update and I think we can expect just minor tweaks to the looks and power. I doubt we will see any drastic changes. Expect to see a new front bumper and maybe even wheels. Of course we'll see another silver/grey color from Nissan as that is all they seem to be doing these days. I also see power going to 340-350 for the Z and maybe 360-365 for the Nismo. Aside from that, not much else

I really don't think you will see much of a power bump. Maybe the base 370z gets a bump to the Nismo hp. You will most likely see slight changes in the bumpers and new wheels. Maybe some minor interior cosmetic changes such as colored stitching in the seats or something.

I look foward to seeing it though.

Most likely scenario. If they move to a V8 or add twin turbos in a MMC the whole world would have a heart attack. Won't happen.

Until Nissan does the next redesign, I wouldn't expect to see much change aside from little interior options. EG the addition of a backup camera option for 2011.

Oil slick, smoke screen capabilities, front machine guns, ejector seat, tire-slashing hubs, tracking device, and a handful of goodies that Q didn't have time to mention.

A new and exciting shade of gray.

Why?
Because it's heavy as heck compared to a large-displacement V8 and doesn't make any more power and gets worse mileage?

The 370Z is not going to change much in the next three year. The 350 latest from 2003 to 2008. The 370 is only going to the 3rd yr. of production.

:bowrofl::roflpuke2::icon18::rofl2: omg +rep

LOL. Maybe platinum gunmetal. Or brilliant graphite.

This is NEVER going to happen. Just like chevy is never going to make the camaro faster than the corvette, nissan will NEVER make the 370z faster than the GTR......OR EVEN CLOSE IN SPEED!:gtfo2:

But isn't the 2012 GTR getting a power bump? Maybe they'll have a Z power bump to go in line with it.

I doubt they'll slap on an extra two cylinders, though.

I like the twin turbo addition.
Will Nissan keep the 370Z in the line up at all, when they are not selling well? In the current economic climate I see that sports cars might once again be endangered. I hope I am wrong.

They need to do a detuned 3.8 liter, mass produced twin turbo based of of the GT-R's engine. They already have the research costs covered and by dropping the HP a bit, they can loosen up tolerances enough were "hand built" isn't necessary. Will it happen by 2012? I doubt it. Maybe 2014 if they do it at all.

Are we comparing the LS7 here?
Because the GT-R (R35) gets 15/21 and the LS7 gets 15/23 I believe, wow.

Also, the weight factor is in the XX difference which is very minor considering the GT-R is loaded with extra piping for its TT kit. Throw in some extra money on using lighter material and the VR38 is perfect.

On the topic of the 2012 370z, I expect no real changes. I think Nissan is trying to figure out what to do with the car. Does it want to make the first sub 40k electric sports car? Do they want to go all out, since the GT-R just got a nice power bump it gives room for the Z to have closer to 350-400HP from factory now.

Would be neat if they made a 375bhp or so Z. I don't think it will happen, though. At least, not with the VQ.

The V8 really is where it's at. There are a lot of great engines, but the old cam-in-block V8 continues to be near or on the top of the heap when it comes to power/weight ratio.

But if you look at the trends recently, IC, a lot of companies are going with turbos, even BMW. Mostly because they can inflate performance numbers and mpg's at the same time. So, if anything, I could see Nissan going that way with the VQ. Don't know if they can get 375-400 out of it.

Sorry, 15/24, so really basically the same minus highway.
VR38DETT with engine/oils plus cats weight 608lbs (VR38DETT engine weight | 2009 Nissan GT-R) Compared to a LS7 which is 458 with just the engine (no oils, etc.) I would say it is pretty close.

Power/weight is out the window now though. It is about fuel efficiency & power.
Power/weight is being left for the 100k plus cars only where anything below that needs to meet a higher MPG but still provide X amount of power.

Right you are. I could have sworn the 2006's were 16/25, but then, the heavier trans, etc. in the new Z06 would probably suck another mpg out of the equation even if that were the case.

Factor in 10.5qts of oil for the LS7, and it probably closes the gap.

Either way, you are right. The EPA/OPEC is calling the shots and a lot of people (BMW included) ARE! going to FI. FI technology has advanged greatly. I am sure a factory FI VQ would do the job (400bhp), but why would Nissan do that to an old platform? No, if they do that, it will be on a new platform I would think.

I still prefer a V8 to an FI engine. Less junk to break, and it does just as well. Simpler is better if the results are the same. All that complicated stuff is fun to brag about until it sharts the bed and you have to fix it.

I'm a fan of NA over FI, too, for the most part, for the same reason.

The 350 actually had three different engine variations over those years, so it had quite a few changes actually.

For the 370, I would expect the addition of direct injection next year which would bump power up to around 355. I believe this has already been announced for the g37 so it's only a matter of time for the z.

Well.... The 370 has a VQ37. The Frontiers have a VQ40..... 4.0L in the same configuration.

when i was at the Nissan dealer this weekend, this guy was saying that in 2012 the front bumper is gonna be slightly modified, nissan sport brakes will standard and brembos will be the upgrade, and the HP rating was gonna be bumped to 350hp in the way of intake manifold modification...this makes allot of sense considering the 350z progression...just rumors though,

I would expect some minor exterior styling changes and maybe a slight bump in HP.

Nothing too drastic tho..

Perhaps a dual clutch gearbox? :yum:


Joking. I like my shifter :driving:

They are removing VDC from all 2012 models! :eek:

Point of a Z is to have a simple, reliable, affordable yet exciting, enjoyable, sports car. This is why 350s and 370 have been successful.

I doubt Nissan would change their philosophy regarding the Z.

well, they need to, the competition has changed drastically around them....we are getting left behind

"we're" not. I have a great and fun little sports car, no matter what other people drive.

How so?
Z is competing and performing better than cars like the Porsche Boxter, that cost nearly 50% more.

i can see a slight bump in HP, but not much else...wheels maybe...

^^I agree with that. I think Nissan will stay true to the Z's lineage and continue producing a car based off the simple idea of performance at a low price. I mean isn't that what the Z has always stood for?

no one said its not a fun car, but there is always room for improvement...ALWAYS...nissan does not need to get complacent with the 370

Not much will change. The 350Z had minor tweaks here and there. Same as the Nissan Titan that is nearly identical to when it was released back in 2004. I was dreaming that they'd produce a 380Z and then you'd be able to bolt on a GTR turbo setup fairly easily but that won't happen. I bet you won't see anything except a wheel design change for 2012..... Possibly a new bumper. That's all.

I'd have the biggest hard on if they changed the Nismo to a twin turbo and raised sticker price just $3k.

well for one, muscle cars are starting to handle as well as the Z. Ive been a Z guy for years and handling is something that Z guys took great pride in, 2 power...