2015 Nissan Z may be lighter, leaner

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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.

Originally Posted by 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!