And Turbo's don't? I would be embarrassed in a turbo V6 making 400hp in today's age of sports cars. A NA 380-400 hp V6 would still be something special. I'm pretty sure the first year Corvettes came with a wimpy a$$ straight 6. It made the jump. May not have been legendary at the time, but it still made the change. Look what happened in the 60's when they started shoehorning massive engines in small cars. I'm pretty sure manufacturers are doing the equivalent, but with turbo's. The Mustang gained 100hp from one model year to the next. I'm not saying your wrong, but I'm arguing the absurd statement. :)

The Mustangs jumped about 100 hp for the 2011 MY. 500 HP Z isn't happening any time soon, especially with the GT-R sitting around 550 HP currently. I think at most we'd see something around 400 HP. The current Nismo is at 350 HP right now so 400 HP would be a decent sized jump without being too crazy.

i would be surprised if it made it to 400 hp. maybe 370-380 would be my guess.

i would take that and be happy

Honestly, 300HP at the wheels is more than enough for the current chasis for the Z. Anymore and we'll be in overkill territory for all around stock package for around $30k range. I mean, it would be nice to be labeled "Corvette Killer" again like the 90s, but decrease weight would be more beneficial than increase power right now.

I would be fine with no power increase...

As long as they correct the: piss poor throttle mapping, lack of a "real" oil cooler, and the annoying over-compensating traction control system.

Listen...I've had to live with the thing and I can tell you this: it is a very good CONCEPT with some major flaws. There are little to no engines out there that put out the HP per liter this does in NA format. 1.3L 234HP is nothing to be ashamed about. They simply put that engine in the wrong car or it should have been turbo'd. Also, there are plenty of engines that burn oil on the market today and flooding issues were all elimiated in 2006 and above versions of the engine.

Now consider this Piston engines have more then 40 years advantage compared to rotary technology. It is very easy to complain about a dirty engine when there is more advanced technology. Now roll back piston engine tech 40 years and the rotary suddenly becomes impressive.

Keep in mind this is coming from someone who wishes he had an LSx powered Corvette. It's easy to dis technology based on bad press regardless if it was well deserved or not the technology is getting much better. The newest version if the engine is supposed to eliminate many of the issues mentioned but we shall see how much of that is true.

The new 1.6L 300HP NA is a rediculous achievement and in my opinion should be put in a Miata sized car with a hardtop. It's supposed to be cleaner with better gas mileage and more torque.

Is it outstanding? Depends...for the money and what you get out of the package...Hell Yes! Knowing they could have designed it better...then not really outstanding. I love my car but coming from a slightly built car previously I can tell you it handled better then the 370z (puts on flame suit). This not to say if I do a little work to the Z I can bring it up and beyond that level though. MY BIGGEST point here is dropping a heavier engine in a car that is already front heavy is a mistake. Can the heavier weight be compensated with suspension? Yes...crap load of negative camber up front with an expensive suspension. However, it is not the right way to do things dude sorry. THE ONLY 2 ways I would agree with a v8 is if they also install a rear mounted transmission like they do in the Corvette's and other Super Cars to compensate for engine and passenger weight or they redesign the current Nissan v8 to be lighter then the 3.7 VQ but we all know this is impossible with the current price point.

Look I am not saying that your views are wrong. I will say they are misguided. An engine to engine comperison is not valid here. Nissan engineers total packages and thus all components need to work together in harmony to create something special. I WISH they would install the 5.6 v8 WITH a rear mounted transmission to even out weight distribution. The Z would be marveled all over the world in it's bad arsedness! This wont happen...too much money (Nissan please prove me wrong here!!!!).

With Nissan making the chasis lighter a ligher motor is mandatory or else chasis and suspension engineering will be a pain in the butt and much more expensive. If the engine goes heavier you run the risk of crappy mustang handling (not including Boss 302).

Really!?!? LOL!! Comeon dude! :roflpuke2:

Let's name some examples of value (Price point is the key here) V8 sports cars that fall in the handling category:

- Base Corvette - $49,600
- Mustang Boss 302 - $42,995 - $49,990

Thats it...Dont include the Pontiac GTO's or the Holden's or even a Camero (ZL1 is way to expensive) cause they all suck handling wise with exception to the ZL1 which is way out of this price point.

Now what do those cars have that we dont?

Vette: rear mounted transmission with epically expensive suspension and really lightweight v8 (lighter then the VQ).
Boss 302: expensive adjustable suspension, they had to add a multilink suspension in the rear, it's a heavy car (3632 lbs).

The point here is Nissan spent it's money on the chasis instead of adding horse power and extensive suspension improvements compared to the Mustang and the Vette well they did it right but both cars cost on average between $10k and up to $17k more then the Z does today. Thats the cost of v8 power and handling the way you want it. If Nissan can keep the Z under $40k and do what corvette has done then go for it I'll be there to buy it.


Just say it...your a muscle car guy. It's ok. :happydance:

I refer back to my previous agrument above regarding this is not about power on it's own.

What happened when they put in bigger engines?
- Tire companies started making more money
- Muscle car fans were happier going in a strait line
- Drifting could have REALLY taken off if they knew what it was
- Cars became poorly balanced and had shitty handling

The Cobra was the only exception but that car was engineered to the best ability and technology available those days. Even then that car was impossible to drive considering how easily it could kill you...I want one! LOL!

You know the funny part? We agree but for different reasons. I agree with you a v8 would be epic but not if Nissan can't afford to do it right. You agree a v8 would be epic and think Nissan could do it right at the current price point. Someone please prove me wrong or else a low displacement turbo engine will be in our future.

(Looks for Rotary Troll Spray)

I disagree. I think they can sound like crap with the wrong setup but with the right setup sound awesome. Nothing like a 3 rotor though...screamer :eekdance:

Haha. I don't think they can maintain the current price point. The V8 would be a $40k+ car. Thats why I still vouch having a V6 option. I just want to :driving: moar faster!

You're forgetting that the 5.0 Mustang handles well enough compared to the Z and comes with 100 HP more with a V8 at around the same price point.

The next gen 5.0 is supposed to be 250 lb lighter, have IRS, and even more power. That is what the new Z may be competing with. Minor improvements will only put it further behind if the new 5.0 really gets all of those things.

Yeah I know it probably will, but since it hasn't been 100% confirmed yet, I'm still trying to keep some bit of hope for it :p

This is probably why I won't be looking at a Z for my next car. I want to take a step up in class in terms of performance, not to the side or down.

I don't think so, why would they downgrade it and decrease hp, displacement, etc.

I see Nissan making a mini-Z model to compete with the FRS. The Z will probably get either Forced Induction from the factory or get a much larger engine. Perhaps two engine variants?

EDIT: additionally just think carbon fiber is getting cheaper, meaning they can use more of it to decrease weight while maintaining price. Then they will probably add direct injection which will increase power.

Here's a link that talks about down sizing the engine.
I know it's just one link but i've read a couple of others and it still talks about down sizing the engine to 4cyn turbo.

I'm surprised nissan hasn't used DI for the 370Z yet. Other than having minor exterior changes over the yrs and price creeping up and haven't been able to have the same success as the 350z (probably due to the economy), it seems they will down size and make it cheaper. :shakes head::shakes head:

2015 Nissan Z May Be Lighter, Leaner

From what i read and from the link i provided, the boss from nissan wants to appeal to a wider range of people.
It seems more than likely i think they want the FRS/BRZ market instead of competing with the stangs, cameros and genesis.
I hope they keep the v6 and use di.

The author used the word "probable" for reduced engine size and type, but that was not what Shiro Nakamura stated. Paragraph below:

And that won't be achieved by making it bigger. "It cannot be any larger," he says. "It's at its maximum size now and should go leaner." By that he means lighter too, with the new model to feature a down-sized engine, probably a four-cylinder turbo rather than today's 3.7-liter V6. "It needs to be lighter, and more accessible to open the door to more people," he adds.

So I ask, why wasn't Shiro Nakamura quoted saying the most controversial statement in the entire article? This is hearsay from an author spinning words. I'll wait till I see the new G arrive, that will give us the best idea for what direction they want to go.

For all the guys wishing for turbo's, they had the 2.5L in the G they discontinued that might make a viable candidate, would take some reworking as it's just a mini VQ37VHR.

Here is my input:
-You have multiple people saying different things from inside Nissan and outside, who claim to have sources. In the end we will probably see two cars come out of this by the looks of it, a lightweight 4 banger RWD to compete with the FRS (think Silvia) and a lighter car than the current Z with a smaller 6 cylinder new motor to help stay competitive. The other possibility was an old rumor that the head Nissan said, they want to look at being the first to market with an all electric sports car for the masses. In the interview he even drop the Z as being a possibility but he would not want to ruin that history.

Have you driven the new Coyote GT? Without argument it's faster in a straight line, and I'd wager it is equivalent, if not faster, around a course like VIR.

But all of that means nothing once you drive a Z back to back with a GT. They feel completely different. The GT drives like a musclecar - big engine, softer chassis, high seating position, big and burly. The Z drives like a go-kart - tight, precise, low-slung, lots of feedback. The difference is the feel, not just the numbers, and its specific to each car. Res ipsa loquitur.

I think we'll see a new electric Z, but probably not this soon. Though I did just read something on MT about Nissan opening up a lithium ion battery plant in the US....

You talking about the Leaf facility where they are going to build that car and such?
I don't think it is to soon for an all electric sports car, especially when you look at the Leaf and it weights in under 3,500lbs and goes 100 miles on a charge. The Z is and always will be a luxury item so if they can push new battery tech which gives us 150-200 then that would be perfect. Plus the Z is a 2 seater so the backseat of the leaf could be replaced with more batteries for a boost of speed/miles.

I've ridden in my friend's and he was coming from a 370Z. He said handling was comparable, which it seemed to be. I did test drive one, but I scared the salesman pulling out of the driveway so that only lasted like 2 mins. It definitely does feel different because of the size, but I think it can still handle the turns nearly as well. It is faster around a road course and is comparable to an E92 M3 in that case. It won't feel the same, but it will best the lap times of the Z.

Yeah that's the one. I guess it depends on when/if Nissan started working on it.

And the next Z will be a 4cyn turbo. The way they are marketing it, it seems so nissan will go with a smaller engine and just dropping the number completely.

If they go with a 4cyn Turbo, it will suck and wont' sound the same.

Definitely no V8.

The problem with nissan and the 370Z, they only do minor changes here and there while the stangs does some decent changes (not comparing the 2).

Really what nissan should do with the Z and what some other people have said in this thread, is offer 2 different engines like the mustangs and cameros.
Improve on the V6 and offer a 4cyn.

If they do keep the V6, more than likely it will be under 400HP. Nissan or any other Asian car manufacturer seems never really up the HP that much.

Not like what ford did with their mustang of 100HP increase. Never will that happen with Nissan, toyota or honda.

We shall see what will happen in the next coming months.

Everyone has apparently ignored my comment. There is no way Nissan will put anything other then a 6 cylinder in the Z. The Z has and always will have a 6 just like a Vette with its V8's and RX-7's 8's with its Rotary. Its one of the thing that makes a Z a Z.

Actually, the original Vette started with a I6 and the V8 was an option. Though they quickly adopted the V8 as the standard soon afterwards.

A turbo 4 in a Z just sounds like a bad idea. No one wants it. People who don't own a current or previous Z won't want it, and guys in Mustangs and Camaro's won't trade for it. The fight for efficiency ends when Marketing tells the the boss, no one will buy it, the Boss will tell the engineers to do what Marketing says. Stick with the 6. Last time I checked, people driving fast cars don't need revolutionary fuel economy, just enough to get past regs.

I think that's where you're wrong. Look at how popular the FRS/BRZ are. If that's what Nissan is targeting then they will probably see increased sale numbers. They'd have to lower the price a bit though.

It's not going to fly with a Z emblem on the back of it. The FRS/BRZ, while great vehicle's are really just a stepping stone to higher performing vehicles. Nissan had a different lineup seperate from the Z with the S13/14/15 platform. That's where a light weight 4 cylinder turbo should be. Those coupes put up numbers that barely best the Miata. It would behoove Nissan to have a 3 sports car lineup if they want to cover the market.They would abandon an entire demographic ($30k-$50k) to move down to a sub $30k.

I should have clarified that no one wants the Z emblem on a 4 cylinder car.

:stirthepot:

FWD, 1.8L Juke Turbo powered Altima coupe will get my money as Nissan's next "entry" level sports car under the next gen Z and GT-R. And will probably be their answer to the FR-S/BRZ.

I highly doubt Nissan will release another RWD platform in addition to the 370Z/G37 & GT-R platforms unless it shared chassis with another model. Nissan is pushing the 2013 Altima sedan hardcore right now and are putting off the redesigned Altima coupe models for a little while.

Wasn't that supposed to be the "mini-Z"? Is Nissan still doing that?

I did not know about that. I know that the coupe was targeted as being more "sporty". But the price tag on the SR V6 coupe model was ridiculous. You could pick up a base+sport model 370Z for what Nissan was asking.

It is a great looking car in my opinion. If they would have made it RWD even with the QR25 engine ONLY it would have been a blast.

Yeah I always thought it would make more sense for Nissan to make the altima coupe into that instead of a whole separate car.

I'd buy a turboed 4 Z if it's less than 3000 lbs.

I think what they really need to do is to improve the shifting quality on the 6MT and road noise. Some road noise is ok, but excessive road noise makes DD too difficult.

Not sure if no one wants a turbo 4 z, but I know I wouldn't want one. Got an 11 GTI turbo 4. I know it's only 200hp (so don't flame me), but has 207 tq @1,700 revs and is only 3,100 lbs, plus well under $30k OTD. Many mags rate this as the best car in it's class with linear power. While it's a very nice car and fun to drive, I wouldn't buy another.

Here's why, the mags say linear power, however it's a turbo & there is definitely lag (how can that be linear? sorry head snappin enthusiasts). Not good for city or in stop & go traffic. Our NA 6's is linear from beginning to RL. Next, the GTI also has DI, which does not have all the bugs worked out yet. While I have not gone internally in the engine to check out the carbon build up, my exhaust tips have gone from stainless to a jet black, you can't even scape it off. I'll be looking to trade that out within a few years & get a 4 door truck like a Frontier or Tacoma. Definitely keeping the Z for a long time.

Guess what I'm trying to say is, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, so enjoy our dependable, funky manual trans, heavy and fat assed NA V6. It's really a great car :tiphat:

I think I'm joining you...everyone is in LALA land here LOL! I can't believe anyone would be in there right mind to compare our car to a Mustang (sorry if your a fan...I'm alergic to sold axels and bad handling).

EDIT...My GAWD...some of the comments about Mustangs are making me laugh I can't take it! :roflpuke2:

I actually have a distaste for everything about them, but their motor is pretty delicious.

1) This will NEVER compete against the FR-S/BRZ. It would compete against a Civic and VW Golf/Rabbit.
2) No purest would ever choose a FWD platform when a very good and affordable RWD platform is available in the form of the FR-S/BRZ. Friends don't let friends go FWD man...lol

Hands down it would need to be a RWD platform or dont even bother. The idea of the Altima and the Juke engine is good but it would need to be reworked to either be AWD or RWD.

I could do a 200+hp AWD 6sp juke.

The Shelby (Eleanor 1967) was the only Mustang I liked and it was an amazing car. Actually most of the 1960's mustangs were nice looking. They were thin/sleek and not bulky looking like the ones today. American car makers just dont understand how to make a sleek body anymore (except late model corvettes which are nicely done).

I passed on on the Gen 5 SS's because I couldn't get past the size and weight. The Z had 8/10ths the speed and could drive circles around it. Now that I have two superchargers getting installed, it's way more car than needed, all the better.