Nismo = cheese-mo

Sardis

I agree 100%. I think Nissan knew they had to offer more HP this time around, but it is so meager and available at one end of the range, it's basically stock.


Lexus, the makers of the most sedate luxury cars on the planet, even managed an impressive IS model, with the ISF.

I think there is a market for a more upmarket Z. It doesn't need to compete with the GTR. It doesn't need AWD, it does not need all the amazing tech. The Z is Nissan's more simple RWD sports car.

400 ish HP.
Recaro Seats
Upgraded Brakes
Suspension Work..
Interior work..

You have something akin to an M, perhaps less luxurious, but sportier and lighter weight for maybe 20k less. You have a real value, an JDM Vette if you will.

Honestly, I think they tarnish the Nismo name with release. The handling of the 350 Nismo, at the very least, was a noticeable improvement. You don't get spot welds, or even an oil cooler. Basically what you have is an over priced Z with bolt ons.

I'd rather these additions be labeled a "track" model, because calling it is a Nismo, is a bit of a disgrace considering what has been branded Nismo in Japan


The Nismo will always be a low volume car. I can't tell you how long the 350 Nismos sat on the lot of the Nissan dealer I frequent. I doubt this 370 Nismo will move in commanding numbers. So the sales argument is a false starter IMO. The car is always going to be low volume, it should be at least special.

spearfish25

Exactly. The current Nismo version should just be a check box optional upgrade package on the base Z. A true Nismo Z should be a different, better beast all together. All Nissan has done is tarnish the Nismo line.

Alexus

I'm guessing it's very difficult for Nissan to justify the direction they've decided to head in with this Nismo-tuned Z. I'm not sure what price-range we're looking at here… heck, I don't even really know what this edition features. From what I've been reading on here and on other unmentionables; it's just an appearance package and perhaps it should be sold just as that, like it is on the Altima and the Versa. Changing the bumpers, the spoilers, adding some color under the hood and some badges here and there does not justify the +/- $40-45,000 price range. I'm sorry, but for the extra $10k you can both make your car look getter and perform better.

Going on with the theme of this thread, in retrospect, this is what Nissan would have to do with a Nismo-tuned 370Z for me to even consider purchasing one:

- Either: a. Add a turbo to that VVEL. Nissan has more than enough know-how to make this happen. b. Put in a 5.0L V8. They already have a proven 5.6L V8 in the Titan, why wouldn't they be able to modify it for a passenger car (read sport coupe) application and drop it into the 370Z? I haven't seen the Z's engine bay in person, but I'm more than certain that it can be done. Weight wouldn't be an issue if they replaced the seats with lightweight Recaros, and used lighter materials overall. Smaller wheels, also, wouldn't hurt.

- Let's be honest here, Mitsubishi is offering it, Audi is offering it, BMW is offering it. A sequential, manumatic, DSG, whatever you want to call it transmission should be offered. Heck, it should be on the regular Z. This should be a no brainer, and even though I can't say I've been following the news a lot, but I'm inclined to believe that Nissan hasn't developed one. I strongly believe that this is a crucial selling point for most people, because more and more track racers are favoring these transmissions over the manuals. It is CRUCIAL for Nissan to develop this in order to keep up with cars in the price-range, and imho if Mitsubishi can do this with a full-size sedan like the Evo, and still sell it for $40k, I'm pretty damn sure Nissan can do it. Heck, I think that if Ford can develop something like PowerShift, Nissan can do it.

No further comment.

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