2016 Nissan Z: Sorry, Z Fans, No Return to Roots Just Yet
 

I saw this article and thought I would share.

Sorry if it's a repost.

What It Is: The seventh generation of Nissan's iconic sports car. Despite rumors of a 240Z reboot, a downsized Z is unlikely, as Nissan doesn't have an appropriate architecture to refashion the Z into a lighter, less expensive sports car akin to the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins. Expect a concept car appearing in the next 18 months to indicate a new design direction. The styling will break with the immediate past even as the rest of the package steams ahead on much the same course.

Why It Matters: In a lineup fraught with frugal four-cylinders paired with CVTs, the Z is as much an outlier as the GT-R. But Nissan needs the Z to tend the fire, reminding the world of the Datsun days when affordable performance was more of a corporate priority than cross-dressing crossovers. Godzilla may be the halo car, but it now costs six figures.

Platform: The Z will share a chassis with the Infiniti Q50. This new iteration of Nissan's entry-luxury sedan rides on an updated version of the venerable FM platform that underpins the current Z. Nissan will do what it can to keep the weight down, deploying more aluminum along with other pound-paring measures.

Powertrain: The VQ V-6 is a sure bet, but enhanced with direct injection to make at least 350 horsepower. Not even CVT-crazy Nissan is nuts enough to nix the Z's six-speed manual, which should soldier on alongside the current seven-speed automatic. Don't expect to see the Q50's performance hybrid system in the Z, but a Mercedes-designed, turbocharged four-cylinder could be offered. Nissan will be building the smaller-displacement engine, destined for the Q50, in Tennessee.

Competition: Audi TT, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

What Might Go Wrong: We're not sure the Z can survive another generation saddled with a platform designed for bigger, heavier sedans. Its thirsty V-6 could turn off buyers wanting to drive their playthings daily, but a more economical four-cylinder may not offer sufficient performance to uphold the Z-car image.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Early 2015, with a base price just under $35,000.




2016 Nissan Z: 25 Cars Worth Waiting For 2014–2017 – Future Cars – Car and Driver

repost, but as far as im concerned C&D is just as much in the dark as the rest of us when it comes to the next Z and while their guesses may be good, they are still guesses and the only people that really know all work for nissan and aren't going to be saying anything for the time being...in other words, car and driver can go F*** themselves :tup:

LOL!!!!! :icon18:

:iagree:

Over the last decade, C&D has become the "National Enquirer" of the Car mag world when it comes to auto news. Their reviews are just as weak as edmunds.

They are even more in the dark than us... Those corporate sponsored losers.

I sincerely doubt that C&D "is just as much in the dark as the rest of us". Do you really think that they have no sources within Nissan?

If implemented properly, GDI is good. More power, and better mpg. Hopefully they can engineer such a solution that does not cause valve deposits.

I guess you haven't kept a track record on how many false rumors they've spread about many cars over the last decade???

I actually agree that this is the most likely course of action, but with more power. Direct injection, some drivetrain improvements, and evolutionary improvements to the motor will improve efficiency. With the Q50 debuting on a FM platform and still running a VQ motor, it really spells out what the new Z is getting. It won't be drastically different because if it is, it won't be profitable and it won't be cheap.

You're probably, maybe right??? But C&D is not a reliable source to confirm these facts, opinions or whatever? What we do know, is what the Z35 engineers said straight out from their mouths talking to Leno. They want to go back to the Z roots (smaller, lighter) for the Z35. But they never said how.

Lastly, the Q50 is 129 lbs lighter than the G. so that is still considered weight reduction. So again, that is a small piece of evidence that may have us on the FM platform. but until we know something about the Q60? Which we don't... We're basically still in the dark.

The Q50 and Q60 are being debuted almost as seperate cars with an 18-24 moth difference in debuts and we don't know why???

Lastly, we're getting 7 years of Z34 instead of 6. Which is the general rule. They need the extra time for some reason?

The Q50 looks like crap, if thats their direction i dont have high hopes at all.

Boo so far.

I like the Q50... But my tastes don't match the forum except for the Z. And even that's questionable with all the self loathers on here.

I'd be disappointed if they keep the current 7AT instead of developing a cheaper DCT (the GT-R's trans alone would be half the price of a Z). An evolutionary improvement would be good enough though. Adding DI and better cooling for brakes and oil with a few more lbs of weight reduction in the front would probably be good enough to keep the Z in the game for a few more years as performance car.

So when did Nissan and Infiniti ever fit in the same style family? Since when was this about the Q50? Since when did your opinion matter? You troll all day proclaiming the Z sucks... You gonna go to an Infiniti forum and tell them how you feel too? Pretty sure they won't care either.

I love my Z and if it's more of the same, with evolutionary improvements, fine by me. It doesn't need an entirely new platform. The GTR's platform is called "Premium Midship" platform, which is just an improved version"Front Midship" platform. If the GTR can do what it does on similar underpinnings, it's not old or broken. The VQ motor is already getting over 30mpg in the Altima using port injection. I don't think it's unrealistic to anticipate 29-30 mpg with the upcoming Z. Weight will be similar and direct injection will improve fuel economy and increase performance. These are just my thoughts. I really think the entire platform can go another generation with improvements.

Does the 350Z/G35 Ring a bell?? Also its obvious you dont even know the next direction of this car as they are trying to fix the things i have the biggest issues with! Trying to make this car feel like less of a fat pig" we need a serious weight reduction" quoted by the head guys themselves... " We need better mpg"" i get 13 mpg in the city...

Who knows if theyre going to fix the horrible manual gearbox and rough coarse engine that needs to be revved the hell out of just to move.

"The Q50 looks like crap, if thats their direction i dont have high hopes at all."

How in the blue hell does this have anything to do with the upcoming Z?
3200-3300lbs (give or take 30lbs) is not "a fat pig". The EVO, Subaru, Mustangs, Camaro's, they all weigh more. The Z weighs as much as a Vette. Considering they dropped 125lbs with the Q50, I think I do know the direction they are going. I've stated before the Z will most likely lose 100lbs, anything more is a far shot. I already addressed your "we need more mpg" Making 380hp and 30mpg is my estimate (from the VQ), nothing more to say. I highly doubt you only get 13mpg in the city. Maybe you don't know how to effectively drive in the city. You probably tail gate, hit your brakes, accelerate, and repeat. I was getting 14mpg with busted O2 sensors and the injectors literally dumping fuel into the motor. You are lying. Gear box isn't bad and considered subjective. Skip shifting doesn't work well, but it's not a clunky box. The engine is harsh, but because you have it leased, the harshness was really the exhaust. My car sounds and feels smooth as butter all the way up to 7500rpm. The engine makes more than enough power, even at low rpm. I give my car a throttle blip, as I release the clutch and I get moving along just fine. Following you're whole 350Z/G35 logic, they don't look the same, the 370Z does not look like a G37. But both the 350Z/G35 and 370Z/G37 are based on the same engine, transmission, and platform. For the past two model generations it's been like this, why do you think it's going to change? What was so different about the Z cars drivetrain, chassis, or powertrain that is not on the G's? SRM is the only thing that comes to mind and it's software. Chances are extremely high it will be an improvement not much different from the 07/08 350Z's to the 370Z's.

Nissan needs to move in a different direction with this vehicle. It's a good car, but not a *great* car. The potential is there but it seems like we need to wait another generation.

I completely disagree, the 370z might not be the best straight line performer like a vette or a gt500 mustang, but it has more bite than most people here can handle. Around a road course(like streets of willow) the 370z can keep up with cars tons faster than it. Plus its faster than a E46 M3, imo that says alot about this car, sure its newer than the E46, but the E46 was a car that can get you in alot of trouble bone stock.

Be thankful you never owned an rx8 then. Doesnt make a lick of power below 5000 rpm and the tranny grinds in just about gear. Biggest mistake going from my 350z to that. finally working on getting into a 370z...

Man I almost made that mistake when I get my 350Z back a few years ago, glad I didn't get that RX8...I dodged the bullet on that one.

dont pay attention to jungle, he's just bitter that he didnt get the sport package lol

Can someone please total his Z so he won't be on these forums bitching about how much he hates his car....

the 4 seats is what killed me on that one... biggest mistake.

I test drove a 2010 RX-8 R3 a few years back. I had a blast. The R3 package was pretty legit, but like most, it really need more power. Mazda should have turbo'd that from the start. Especially since the gas mileage was already bad, what would it matter if it gets worse? Heck, it may have gotten better with the extra torque. Those seats... Felt like I was being hugged by a bear and I'm 5'6 150lbs. Got close to buying it, but I held out. The Z was the better choice. Thinking about it, I may have to replace my seats just to get that snug feeling again.

Power isn't everything. If Nissan did everything you guys asked the next Z will be priced out of everyone's league.

same thing that i said a few weeks back, but everyone seems to think more power solves everything...i mean all you have to do is look at the new porsches to realize that they didnt even raise the power on their models by much and they still perform better than the previous models. it's all about balance people :)

I dunno about the Angry Dude, but I do know Car & Driver ain't what it used to be, and somebody at that rag has it in for the 370Z for some weird reason. Expect them to be out of business soon anyway.

First time I ever heard a 370Z called a fat pig. That was pretty :facepalm:

I understand what you're saying and I agree. It's a good car. I think it has the potential to be a great car. However, I feel that it's lacking in a few areas that can pull it into that corral.

As far as the track, that's fine- however, we all know that it's not a track car out of the box, so that may put a damper on the selling point.

I'd personally like to see the Z get into the same kind of league perception-wise as the FT86 platform. I think everyone can agree that Toyota knocked that chassis out of the park (for what it is, not a direct competitor). IMO, Nissan has the experience and imagination needed for that kind of car- just look at the GTR. However, I kinda feel like I'm wishing for lightning to strike twice.

Ah well, just gotta wait and see.

Mazda attempted it for 300hp but had to reneg the turbo cuz they would lose emissions on the turbo alone. That engine is worthless with today's CAFE standards. :shakes head:Nissan can make a philosophical competitor for the Fr-S in a silvia type vehicle. I think it's time for nissan to make a $27k RWD lightweight 2800lb 270hp turbo 2+2 coupe so i can daily it anyway. :tiphat:

Nissan Z can be a 370hp 3100lb car. :excited:

VERY TRUE! I do think 370hp is a little high! That or dramatically increase its price but they would definitely be shooting themselves in the foot :shakes head:....Theyd roughly be in the '13 cayman $$ bracket :icon14:!
But yea, ideally the silvia should be their entry (FR-S competitor), Z being mid range (competing with say the low end porches), then the GOD :bowrofl: being their top tier exotic killer!

Renault/Nissan together have more than enough knowledge when it comes to turbocharging. But the question is, do they have the money to build yet another sports car? And ditch that 2+2 crap, remember the 280ZX, ugh. :icon14:

370Z still the best bang for the buck, imo. And for $5 grand in mods, can be made into a Beast!

With proper engineering, 100hp per litre is doable without being too costly. If we go Fi? Less of an issue.

I agree, without a doubt! Interestingly enough, im looking to put 5k in my stock Z! what would you "recommend" to make it the "Beast"?!?!

Yea, im not going to act like i have extensive knowledge on how many horses you can get per litre (Im no automotive aficionado) so i wont....BUT that would be great if they could figure that out :rolleyes:

Sign up for GTM's MHI TT kit which cost about 5 grand for maybe another week or two...

So I found this article talking about the next gen as well:

2016 Nissan Z | Best new cars 2014

That's nonsense. Just speculative stuff and a rendering made with the Esflow concept.

I think i said this in another thread, but when/if Nissan should makea 2016 Nismo Z, they should use the Amuse Kit for the new style kit. thoughts?

No.