2015 Nissan Z may be lighter, leaner

speedfreek

Yea it would be known as a Silvia/240SX.

enkei2k

+1 or something like it. Why put a 4 cyl in a Z? When was the last time a 4 cyl was in a Z? I think never. Might as well either discontinue the Z altogether or bring back the S chassis if you want to use 4 cyl.

Mythos219

Expect a reconceptualized Z more in line with the scion frs and subaru brz folks.

HKYStormFront

not even close to the same market as a Z. again, this is why a 240sx successor makes sense

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Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs
09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

Mythos219

Exactly. These low volume cars aren't profitable which isn't a big deal if its not impacting the bottom line. Its a different story now exacerbated by the fact that the Yen is stronger than the dollar. Part of the strategy is to reduce imports and part of it is to diffuse costs by boosting sales, exactly Nissan's plan for the Z by making it appeal to a broader audience (READ: We're going to make it cheap and affordable which will increase units).

Reconceptualizing the Z would do the latter and given the relative success of the FRS/BRZ makes the most sense. I say relative b/c the North American market overwhelmingly gravitates towards American cars when it comes to sports cars. But it looks to me like Nissan is taking a page out of the Toyota playbook - make it cheap and affordable and give it measurable performance and we'll move more units which will make out balance sheet look better.

SS66

I guess if I wanted to be part of the broader audience I would have purchased a camaro or a mustang. When I drive my Z I like the notion I am not going to pass one 8 - 9 times a day. But that is just me.

Lug

But you have to understand Nissan doesn't make money not selling more Z's. I'd love to see them go the route of Lotus with an ultralight chassis, makes lower hp numbers and/or less cylinders much easier to stomach!

Light weight - high Horsepower - Low price

Pick any two above!

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SS66

I say reduce some overall weight and increase the HP. Nissan does make more money from selling their other models. They most likely make money on the Z but not as much. The Z by being a 2 seat sports car is going to see a limited market. Hell my mother inlaw took one look at the Z and thought the car was dumb because of it not having a back seat. I smiled at her and said that is why Michelle has the Maxima. Bye Bye LOL.

Nuccigucci

Exactly what I was going to say the need Not to down size the z that's taking two steps back and demolishing tradition what the need to do is bring back the s chassis which everyone has been waiting for, for a very long time even before the concept s16 came out that's what they really need to do if they do go forward with down sizing the z, well then I'm glad I have my 09 and I'll probably keep it. The z34 will be the last of a very long running z car tradition