Why can't very capeable people do what Ford can ....

kenchan

yah, so basically borrow parts from platforms that sell well and i think that's the only way to keep the Z a budget sports car in this current economy.

imagine the next Z sharing the new sentra/versa/juke platform.

UNKNOWN_370

they should make the Z a 5.6 litre fwd...

kenchan

CVT with hybrid for the ultimate fail.

TerribleONE

they could always just borrow the fits tranny... I think that they found a way to fail harder with that than CVT!

__________________

kenchan

Davey

Good question. Lightweight materials are more expensive, that is for sure, and since they also want to improve the cost it seems likely they'll make the car smaller.

Davey

Nooooo!

I would love to see an 8,000 RPM TT 3.0 in a smaller chassis or the V8 or, well, just about anything except "we made the Z cheaper, smaller, slower to sell more and compete with the Miata/BRZ."

Oh, and please no FWD.

buddyZ

I would love a V8 or F1 options, i mean how are they going to have a supercharged Nissan Frontier from the factory and never have anything for their entry level sport car..

ZMan8

most of you are ignoring a simple fact that you need to take into account ....taxes. In the US we do not pay a tax for higher displacement engines. No difference if you buy a 4 pot, v6 or v8. In Europe and Asia, they are very heavily taxed for these things. Their cost to own a car is easily 3-4 times what Americans pay (higher insurance costs/ taxes/higher gas prices) Since the Z is a "world" brand and not specifically catering to the US, it will be designed to be "affordable" for the world. historically its always been an affordable sports car (not including Z32 TT), and that's how they will keep it.

I don't think the Z needs a v-8. sure it adds lots of power, but then the Z gets heavy, and even worse balance. what they need to do is keep the v-6, lower the displacement and put single or twin turbo. Honesly, if they would just make the Z <3000 lbs they don't even have to change the engine much (just give it the standard 15-20 hp bump). The Z's competition will always be BMW Z4, Audi TT, Porsche Boxster S/cayman S (& R as well).

__________________
2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT | Fast Intentions | Swift Springs | SPC | Z1Motorsports | JWM | Redline Oils | 35% Window Tint
2015 Mazda6 | 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

Footloose301

What about Car and Driver? Competition is far more open these days when you've got a Mustang kicking our Z's butt around the track with a similar price tag.

Best-Handling Car For Less Than $40,000: 370Z vs. Evo, Mustang GT, GTI, Miata, Mini JCW - Feature - Car and Driver

Not to mention people thinking the BRZ is anywhere near becoming a "competition" for the Z....

__________________

2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

Davey

That's a great point ZMan8 but I guess I'm just saying, I'd just like something different besides "even bigger V6".

A nice lightweight aluminum V8 would be fine, if the Z is going to continue to be 3300 lbs.

Or a high-revving turbo 4 or even a twin turbo 2.5L V6 would all be welcome in a smaller, lighter chassis.

The current motor could add DI and a little more compression and get another 20 HP or so, and be a great motor for the Z if it simply dropped 200 - 400 lbs.

All around, I'm always excited when Nissan starts talking next-gen Z.

Footloose301

This just in:

Nissan is going to use large single turbo Rotary engines.

__________________

2010 40th Anniversary 370Z

kenchan

Dead end, pal. it said.

Davey

I think "dead horse" would be better for that article, considering recent posting history.

kenchan