Roadster

semtex · 06-02-2009, 03:20 PM

According to this R&T article, the 370Z was actually designed to be a convertible from the onset:

Road & Track Magazine - New & Future Cars: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster (7/2009)

Of particular note:

The 370Z Roadster comes with a standard black cloth top that features a fabric inner liner. Shinjiro "John" Yukawa, the chief project specialist of the 370Z Roadster, opted to stay away from a folding hardtop because he wanted the open-top Z to retain its sports-car spirit.

"A folding hardtop would have turned the 370Z into a boutique car. It would have added more weight and increased its price. I wanted to keep its intent pure, as an affordable sports car," he said.

Also worth noting:

But because of structural reinforcements to the chassis, not to mention the hydraulic system that operates the top, the 370Z Roadster weighs nearly 200 lb. more than the coupe. Therefore, expect the car to be a step slower to 60 mph; we're predicting a time of 5.5 sec.

Lug · 06-02-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

According to this R&T article, the 370Z was actually designed to be a convertible from the onset:

Road & Track Magazine - New & Future Cars: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster (7/2009)

Of particular note:

The 370Z Roadster comes with a standard black cloth top that features a fabric inner liner. Shinjiro "John" Yukawa, the chief project specialist of the 370Z Roadster, opted to stay away from a folding hardtop because he wanted the open-top Z to retain its sports-car spirit.

"A folding hardtop would have turned the 370Z into a boutique car. It would have added more weight and increased its price. I wanted to keep its intent pure, as an affordable sports car," he said.

Also worth noting:

But because of structural reinforcements to the chassis, not to mention the hydraulic system that operates the top, the 370Z Roadster weighs nearly 200 lb. more than the coupe. Therefore, expect the car to be a step slower to 60 mph; we're predicting a time of 5.5 sec.

Kinda a misnomer. Cars like the Vette are designed with the roof not providing any major structural support. He means designed from an aesthetic point of view on the 370Z. The Vette convertible only weighs about 30 lbs more than the coupe. The 200lbs is mostly extra bracing under the chassis.

Robert_Nash · 06-02-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

...The Vette convertible only weighs about 30 lbs more than the coupe. The 200lbs is mostly extra bracing under the chassis.

Where do you get the "30 lbs" from and is that the 'Vette with the power convertible top or the manual one?

The Corvette website lists the exact same curb weight for all four versions of the convertible and apparently makes no allowance for the fact that as you "move up the line" in model; various equipment/options are added that also must be adding weight.

Lug · 06-02-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

Where do you get the "30 lbs" from and is that the 'Vette with the power convertible top or the manual one?

The Corvette website lists the exact same curb weight for all four versions of the convertible and apparently makes no allowance for the fact that as you "move up the line" in model; various equipment/options are added that also must be adding weight.

Edmunds list the current coupe at 3217 lbs and the convertible at 3246 lbs.

Robert_Nash · 06-02-2009, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

Edmunds list the current coupe at 3217 lbs and the convertible at 3246 lbs.

But which version of convertible and which version of coupe?

Whether it's Edmunds or some other source, without knowing exactly what equipment was on each of the two different models (that generated the two weights you mention above), there is no way to tell how exactly how much weight difference the convertible top actually makes between the two vehicles.

For example, if you had a loaded coupe (all the bells and whistles) compared to a stripped-down (manual top) convertible then you can't say that the only difference in weight between the two vehicles is that one is a coupe and one is a convertible.

I guess what I'm saying is that I suspect the real weight difference is more than just 30 lbs but hey, I could be wrong!

Lug · 06-03-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert_Nash

But which version of convertible and which version of coupe?

Whether it's Edmunds or some other source, without knowing exactly what equipment was on each of the two different models (that generated the two weights you mention above), there is no way to tell how exactly how much weight difference the convertible top actually makes between the two vehicles.

For example, if you had a loaded coupe (all the bells and whistles) compared to a stripped-down (manual top) convertible then you can't say that the only difference in weight between the two vehicles is that one is a coupe and one is a convertible.

I guess what I'm saying is that I suspect the real weight difference is more than just 30 lbs but hey, I could be wrong!

That was base coupe to base convertible. They also list the Z06 at a different weight (3162). The weight is so close because the Vette frame is designed from the ground up as a convertible and the coupe just adds a roof (targa top). The roof adds a little support (I assume since the Z06 does not have targa option) but nothing like most convertible conversions.

Modshack · 06-03-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

That was base coupe to base convertible. They also list the Z06 at a different weight (3162). The weight is so close because the Vette frame is designed from the ground up as a convertible and the coupe just adds a roof (targa top). The roof adds a little support (I assume since the Z06 does not have targa option) but nothing like most convertible conversions.

The Zo6 is listed at a different weight because the frame is aluminum rather than steel. The Z06 is also ONLY sold in a fixed roof coupe form due to the need for the additional roof rigidity It ties things together. basically the same roof section, just bolted into place rather than removable..

kantonm · 06-18-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

Kinda a misnomer. Cars like the Vette are designed with the roof not providing any major structural support. He means designed from an aesthetic point of view on the 370Z. The Vette convertible only weighs about 30 lbs more than the coupe. The 200lbs is mostly extra bracing under the chassis.

I think that the huge glass hatch on a Corvette probably compensates for some of the weight(ie losing the weight). Also that chassis probably doesn't need structural enhancement because the coupe has a targa top..

Lug · 06-18-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kantonm

I think that the huge glass hatch on a Corvette probably compensates for some of the weight(ie losing the weight). Also that chassis probably doesn't need structural enhancement because the coupe has a targa top..

A targa doen't offer any structural support over a regular converable. T-tops do, however.

kantonm · 06-19-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

A targa doen't offer any structural support over a regular converable. T-tops do, however.

I meant that the targa offers more structural support over a hardtop to compensate for losing the roof, much like a convertible... therefore there would be little, if any, additional weight adding structural support to chop off the roof. The corvette is made as a targa, so I think that the support would be there in all body styles. Sorry for the ambuguity.

Modshack · 06-02-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semtex

"A folding hardtop would have turned the 370Z into a boutique car. It would have added more weight and increased its price. I wanted to keep its intent pure, as an affordable sports car," he said. [/INDENT]
Also worth noting:

But because of structural reinforcements to the chassis, not to mention the hydraulic system that operates the top, the 370Z Roadster weighs nearly 200 lb. more than the coupe. Therefore, expect the car to be a step slower to 60 mph; we're predicting a time of 5.5 sec.

Also noteworthy is the 450+ weight penalty the New G37 Folding hardtop pays for this feature...

Personally I think the 370 Looks good. I could not stand the 350 Roadster...probably why my dealer begged me to buy one at $10K off...

06-02-2009, 03:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 56 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 34	According to this R&T article, the 370Z was actually designed to be a convertible from the onset: Road & Track Magazine - New & Future Cars: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster (7/2009) Of particular note: The 370Z Roadster comes with a standard black cloth top that features a fabric inner liner. Shinjiro "John" Yukawa, the chief project specialist of the 370Z Roadster, opted to stay away from a folding hardtop because he wanted the open-top Z to retain its sports-car spirit. "A folding hardtop would have turned the 370Z into a boutique car. It would have added more weight and increased its price. I wanted to keep its intent pure, as an affordable sports car," he said. Also worth noting: But because of structural reinforcements to the chassis, not to mention the hydraulic system that operates the top, the 370Z Roadster weighs nearly 200 lb. more than the coupe. Therefore, expect the car to be a step slower to 60 mph; we're predicting a time of 5.5 sec. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

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