We do agree that the trend going forward is automatics for the masses, but I stand behind my point that certain segments can afford to keep them for a while longer. The recent debut of the Porsche 911 R reinforces that - if they were truly dedicated in dumping the manual altogether, why did they build this car?

Also - the Aisin transmission you mention is now exclusively used in the FRS/BRZ. The Lexus has dumped it as an option altogether. I'm not aware of another vehicle that uses it in the Toyota/Lexus lineup.

You mention margins - the current Z still shares a platform with the Q50 and upcoming Q60, and it's highly unlikely the next Z goes to something else. They can stand to slightly retool the 370Z's existing manual and pair it with the VR30DETT, especially when the sales of the Q50 are continually increasing to make up for any costs you incur customizing its platform enough to extend it to another product like the Z.

First - name another Mazda that uses the Miata's transmission. Also - the transmission was reworked fairly extensively with the new Miata for a couple reasons - the SkyActiv motor is completely different, and the target with this car was weight savings. Even then, the cost is justified. Sure they have sales numbers behind them, but only a goofy Fiat shares a platform with the Miata now, and that's the first time that has happened. The 350Z forward always had a platform partner to help the business end of things work.

Second - as I mentioned above, the FRS/BRZ is now the singular user of said transmission. At one point, 60% of those sales were manual transmissions. I would say the cost of producing that transmission is more than justified.

Third - yes Ghosn is a money guy... a money guy smart enough to know that you don't toss a product into the mix of other products you're competing with that's short on offerings, especially when those offerings may push potential buyers to the competition. We have plenty of 7AT lovers here, but how many guys would have explored their options a bit more extensively if a 6MT wasn't offered in the Z? Sure the Z is getting outsold by those cars, but I can't imagine offering a manual hurt the numbers.

Finally - the GT-R was meant to be the bleeding edge performance marque for Nissan. To slightly oversimplify, currently, bleeding edge speed means dual clutch automated transmissions. The transmission of the GT-R is mounted in the rear of the vehicle for various reasons, but the main one would be weight distribution. A manual transmission absolutely does not fit the mantra of this car. The GR6 is massively expensive to produce. I believe OEM replacement assemblies hover around $20k. If you were designing a car to be the fastest thing possibly obtained for under $80k (at release), and its transmission was one of the main facilitators to that goal, would you spend time engineering another transmission that would have to be designed unlike anything you've ever designed, and in the end, it would severely inhibit the performance goals of the car? Sure many of us would have loved a manual in this car. However, even beyond the business case, a manual tranny didn't make sense for the R35 on so many levels, and it's really not a good example of a counterpoint, especially when you're comparing its situation to a car that costs 30%. It's like asking why the upcoming Ford GT doesn't have the same powertrain options as an EcoBoost Mustang.

Not sure all of your facts are correct or interpreted correctly Ricer but I'm not going to argue them as I hope you're right on this and I'm wrong.

I'm with you that sure Nissan will most likely use the Q50/60 platform but I'd like to see Nissan integrate some of the GTR technology as well. So we'll most likely get the 3 & 400 hp tt engines. But if Nissan used the low center of gravity weight model (like the GTR) and move the transmission to the rear, but keep it a rwd. This would definitely be a Z I'd be interested in and wouldn't mind paying more for it than the current Z.

I don't think the Z is big enough for a transmission in the rear. The GT-R and Aston Martins are both larger than the Z. Plus we have that massive fuel tank, which I honestly want to keep since we are one of the few cars capable of 500 miles between gas stops.

There's a video (or two) about the development of the Q50 Eau Rouge and how they got to where they got with the configuration of the prototype. When they got to the decision of using the GT-R engine, there were several reasons why they didn't go with its transmission. The first one? It didn't fit - the platform of the GT-R was designed around the chassis and powertrain. It was never intended to be a "volume" car per say, and they had the luxury of doing whatever they wanted with it.

So the transmission choice for the Eau Rouge concept? The M56 7AT (with a few tweaks). The Q50 Eau Rouge was created with a single mandate - raid the parts bin. There were to be no one-off parts. It is a GT-R motor with the AWD system and transmission from the M56S. This is why, as a concept it was completely driveable.

This circles back to my belief in shoehorning the existing 6MT into the next gen Z. The gearing is fine, and if it needs some tweaking, they can pull a 2015 Nismo and modify the final drive on it and bill it as improved acceleration or, in the opposite direction, improved fuel economy. Also, if the M's 7AT can be mated to a VR38 without extensive rework, then the Z's 6MT can be mated to the new VR30.

If the sales tank on the next gen Z, then you haven't built a new transmission that can't be used in any other model. You haven't designed a platform that won't be used elsewhere. You haven't built a motor that isn't being used elsewhere.

It doesn't get less risky than that for an automaker, honestly. All the pieces are there. It's just a matter of putting them together.

Nissan has axed so many concepts I'm beginning to question if the GRIP Z chassis will be used but I'm hoping. But also... the G37 was about 3700lbs and the Z is about 3,300lbs. The Q60 coupe is supposed to be about 3,400 to 3,500lbs.
If Nissan still uses the modified FM platform for the next Z? That's 3,000-3,100lbs. If you average it against the logical the current Z and G platform.

Increasing Q sales would mean the Z will see production as it shows interest in the platform.

Of course, more rumors but I hope that's not near the expected design (Picture).

2018 Nissan Z | car review @ Top Speed

That looks like an Altima in front. Ugh

Looks like an aborted fetus in front. Ugh.

I like where they said '2 seater convertible with 2.0L turbo hybrid motor'. They've been saying the same thing about the Honda S2000 coming back as such.

I'm surprised someone hasn't said this is the new Z:


Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo | Nissan USA



:stirthepot:

For all those hoping nissan would discontinue the Z :P


Nissan Has No Plans to Build a Smaller Miata Competitor

But not all the news from Nakamura was disappointing. He also said the GT-R and Z are permanent parts of the Nissan lineup and aren't going anywhere. So even though both cars are aging and dated, at least fans don't have to worry about them being canceled.

I like this. At least not cancelled.

:tup:

Stupid road and track with the old a$$ news....

thats good news, now nissan give us something more concrete!