The more video's and pictures I see. It's slowly growing on me. In a away, I like the color. In one light it's yellow. change the lighting, you see green. Wonder what it looks like in all one color, no black roof and chrome strip. Hoping they change the bumpers on the Nismo version like they do now.

I'm liking it more and more as well. :tup:

I agree, that corner where the a pillar meets the fender and hood should have been pulled out to meet the fender like they did with the 370z. This one peice just looks out of place.

Attached.


Also, a closeup of the grille shows that it isn't even completely open behind there. There is a think body structure (I presume for rigidity and safety) behind part of the grille. So in reality they could add something there to separate the big rectangle.

If I wanted a "Big Mouth" fake front grille, I would just buy a Toyota or a Lexus.
They really know how to endow the front end of a car with black plastic.
:-)

The crash bar is behind the blocked off section. Looks like it's open above and below that section.

Kia Stinger
 

Interesting thing on the Stinger.
A "PROTO" was shown several years before the release. Was a much different car. 2 door coupe with great line. Strange headlights.Looked great but you
wondered how they would actually work .Was a concept feature.
The actual car turned out to be a 4 door to compete with BMW etc.
IMO,Kia is not seen as a performance car company.The public is just not
accepting this. Much the same as Cadillac going into performance. Its
rep is to cater to the older driver.
On the other hand.Porsche has been selling the same car(911)for decades.
Just doing upgrades
Smart

Interesting fact on the 6spd manual.
Maybe Nissan was digging back in the Z tradition.
The original 1970 240Z was available ONLY with a manual(4spd).
Beginning in 1971, a 3spd auto was available.
I owned a 70 240 in a awful orange color.

carbon?
 

The black roof...
Since this is a proto,possibly there will be several packages available.
There usually are.
The black could be an option.Done in carbon fiber.
Could be a bit tricky though as carbon roofs do not hold up well.
The B-pillars also would be in a carbon option.

Another piece of Z trivia:
The yellow color of the PROTO.
A friend of mine back in the day also owned a 70 240Z.
It was in sunshine yellow. One of the Datsun factory colors.
Looked very similar to the PROTO yellow.

I agree that the front grill is a bit too rectangular looking, and I definitely prefer some of the alternative renders.

I am a bit amused at comments saying it's "too big" though, because as far back as I can recall (my ownership began at Z31s) Z's have always struggled a bit with cooling. I thought I heard that the 350Z and 370Z have this issue also (never owned them) especially when tracked.
That's the challenge with a slope-nose design that the Z's have had since day 1, not much room for sucking in adequate air.

Now we're getting a twin turbo intercooled engine, there's now additional heat load placed in the engine bay. The grill is gonna have to be "big", I bet people who end up tracking their Z35's will find heat soak issues that require some form of modification.

https://i.imgur.com/zi2GW3E.png
https://twitter.com/NissanUSA/status...85959779692544

Thought this was an interesting tweet. Obviously we know the Z Proto is exactly that, just a prototype, but I thought it was interesting they said development study vehicle. To me, this means the Z Proto was displayed the way it is to gauge what customers think and see what criticisms we have and then tweak those criticisms for the actual production car. Heck, they might've even purposely left the front "unfinished" to see what renders everyone comes up with so Nissan can create a design based somewhat on enthusiasts ideas.

I say to those of us that aren't loving the new Z Proto, I think we will be pleased come time when they reveal the production ready car.

It seems the seats looks the same. Hopefully they can change it. The door handle as well
I guess that's where the cost cutting is coming

I'll be in my bunk!

Development Study Vehicle is code for it'll be ready when we say it's ready dammit.

Couldn’t be as ugly as that turd brown color they had.

The one on too make the back end look skinnier. Imo not a fan of it. The bottom one looks better and gives it a wider look

I'll be in my bunk!

Dodge did the same thing with the Viper in the '90's. They made one and watch what the reaction was to it before going forward.

So on the way home from the grocery store this afternoon, we typically pass by an Aston Martin dealership (usually since I'm driving :rolleyes:). I'm now with everyone else that is saying the styling is growing on us. As Nissan said, they are fusing retro tribute to modern styling. Looking at the new Astons, the 240Z, and the Z Proto, to me Nissan appeared to have succeeded in merging two separate slices of time - large rectangular grill included (which I am now beginning to tolerate vice "not like").

But my biggest draw? The VR30DDTT coupled with a MANUAL.

So in.

Interesting opinion on the new z from Doug Demuro, seems like he likes everything but the front grill like everyone else lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCp-PaCRjEs

Do modern Z's not have a rear window wiper? Or is that just the Proto doesn't have one yet?

I wouldn't worry too much about small missing creature comforts like a rear wiper. Note how it doesn't even have a homelink rearview mirror. I think they just haven't yet gotten to the stage of adding those necessary finishing touches.

I think Nissan is really putting it all on the line with the new Z and they are going to do everything they can to make it a success. This car needs to be a success and they know it needs to be. I believe they will redesign some elements of the Z. Namely the current designs people have the biggest gripes about. They are going to look at the data and the comments from their current and potential future consumers and make those adjustments. They can't risk producing a sports car (especially in today's market) that people won't absolutely love or at least like. That would be financial suicide for them at this point.

The key to success is listening to what their OVERALL consumer base wants. If they don't they might as well pack up and call it quits now.

Only non-US spec Zs do I believe.

For those who didn't like the yellow, what about white with some Nismo touches?

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/eJ...-rendering.jpg

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/qz...-rendering.jpg


(edit: never mind, I just saw somebody post this renders a day ago, this thread is growing so fast lol)

Terrible Photoshop.

Do you even chop?

Let's see what you got! :D

Well done video
 

I pretty much agree on Doug's comments.
Again,the PROTO is a work in progress.It does look more done than not to me.
I suggest to many to look at the PROTO.the overall design flows quite well.
We do seem to be in the big grille era of design. Everyone is doing them.
Ironically,there is a post today showing a white 400Z with Nismo touches.
Hate to say it,this stuff just hides the overall design of the PROTO.

Sometimes less is more,right?

My opinion.. I'm trying to figure out how to justify owning two sports cars now.. I'm really liking the Proto. No way I'm ditching my 350 that I've owned and modded ever since buying new in 2006. But the Proto has me pretty excited.

As for the grill, no offense 370 owners, but it's better than the fangs.

Maybe I need to investigate building an extension on to my garage..

Me too
 

I am a bit like you.
Have my 03 350 that I bought new in 2002.Heavy mods to exterior and every tech bolt incl. total Nismo stuff.
My 370 is pretty much stock.Always saw it as a refined version of the Z33.
Styling wise save for the interior,the Z33 is best from every angle.Got dated somewhat. My mods helped. Actually,looks a bit like the PROTO over the top.
Came close to buying a GTR. It was a beast to drive!.The styling just did nothing for me. Side view looks like a Dodge model.
Not interested in buying.
All mine are paid for.

Was curious.The results did not surprise me.

What? the NUMBERS.

I guess it's human nature to ask for something if its not on your dime.
Some of you have never run your own business. Think of yourself running a car business.

Here are some round numbers that show units sold in a specific year for the U.S.:

350z
2003-------50,000 (incl.units sold in 2002)

2008-------10,000

370z
2009-------13,000

2019-------2,400

Data shows the drop in sales from the beginning to end.
Reasons?LAck of interest,competion,economy etc.
So,based on today's world,COVID,economy,protests,election etc,etc,to not play it
rich.
Makes sense for a car company to play it cheap and use as many smoke &mirrors they can.Call in the marketing guys...

Still,cannot wait for a 400Z to arrive at a dealer.I'm guessing,based on my past experience and the current level of "sales" personnel at a dealership,you will not find much in the way of many that will have knowledge about the 400Z.
My experience:In 2002,I went shopping for a 350Z.Went to 8 Nissan dealerships before
anyone had any knowledge about the car other than it was for sale.At dealer 8,the sales
mgr.was a car guy and handled my sale.Color I wanted had to be ordered.Took almost 3 months to arrive.

Something that caught my eye is that the Z proto front bumper honestly looks similar to the Stillen front end.

I am willing to bet that the side "pockets" or "crevices" of the Z Proto will become side vents. Imagine if they were able to create a "tunnel" that led to the engine bay into the intakes from the side vent or to just help with cooling in general. :eek:

Then just reshape the grille, change the bottom lip to black,and add a body colored design that is recessed in the grille so that way it doesn't look strange from the side profile but changes the front view.

Here is my rendition of what I'm describing here:

I brought down the headlight scoop design lines toward the front grille. This gives it a more 240z like appearance AND more aggressive as it flows with the design of the front hood into the grille. I think the current design almost looks like a sleepy-eyed "tired" looking car. Where as my new render here looks awake and aggressive. I also added a small "recessed" body colored grille right below the top front lip. And of course "removing" the front bottom lip or simply blacking it out.

Let me know what you guys think!

EDIT: Added some 3/4 and side angle renders to get an idea as well. From the side it wouldn't change very much at all. Still keep the same elegant flow but more aggressive now.

I have been out of the car game for quite some time now so activity on the forum is nearly zilch. I had to see what you all were thinking of the new Z. I am posting my thoughts before reading anyone else’s and only based on the front, rear, and side profile shots I have seen on google images. I am doing it this way to make sure I don’t get any influence outside of my own first impressions.

I personally feel like this car was designed by 3 different people that had zero communication between each other. The side profile is great and looks like a generational step to the next Z car. It has a very modern feel to it. The rear is also nice and gives me a very retro vibe, something I was looking forward to with a new Z. How ever this is where it starts to lose me. It just does not flow with a straight side profile, or angled rear and side profile. Maybe it’s the black between the lights? It is almost too retro compared to the very modern flowing side. This brings me to the front. I am not totally decided on it. Straight on it kinda looks like a train wreck to me. With design elements of three different Z cars. An angled side profile does do it some justice though as the headlight and hood design fits well with the modern side profile.

In closing before this turns into gibberish, less is more. The car feels and looks like three different generations of Z cars mashed together in sections. They are all such a generational leap that the designs do not mesh well. Earlier concepts that stuck to a retro modern design were so much better. Another car that done it well IMO is the Dodge Challenger.

Anyway im a bit disappointed. Something huge to take note of though is the fact that I couldn’t stand the 370Z at launch either, and within a year owned two. It grew on me though because I was finally able to see the mesh of old and new. I hope this one does the same. I’m afraid it will not though because I had the same feelings about the new Supra and that car still disgusts me.

This falls in line with what I mentioned in my post. It is how a lot of early renders looked that I can remember. I want the modern retro mesh. When done correctly it is amazing. Pick one model of Z, and make it modern, not multiple.

Sorry for the back to back posts but I just watched the video someone posted of a live walk around. Angled shots of the car are still the best thing going for it. Actually breath taking. It’s amazing how much better it all looks live vs a photo. I still stand by the front and rear needing some straight on profile adjustments. They scream identity crisis to me. The interior is perfection. It was my first time seeing it.

We have been waiting what seems like an eternity for this Z I hope they get it right. Quickly reading most of the community seems to share the same thought as me. Which doesn’t surprise me, we have great taste ��

http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1600545824

What's funny is this: The 370z has become MORE beautiful not just because it's grown on people, but because it's a simple design while other vehicles have gone the ADHD styling route.

I'm a bit torn... If I could have a VR30 swap into my 370z along with that updated 6 speed, that would be great....

Hoping final updates will be an improvement...

There are VR30 swapped 6MT cars out there:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLYvKnrZVfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndJhb0lbGeE

looks too much like stinger, can someone photoshop the v1 nismo bumper style? ( AND duckbill wing on rear)
BTW LOVE the REAR. reminds me of my first car, 97 240sx :drool:

Eh, What About A License Plate?
 

Although my state (Oregon) requires a front license plate, I've always kept it under the front seat with the mount kit and never had an issue [knock on wood] with the authorities.

I am curious if a license plate were attached to the front of the Z Proto exactly how that would break up the design of the grill? Seems like it would land where the smaller "blocked" inlets are, down to the larger lower inlets.

Time will tell I guess.

All the talk about the bumpers is silly since it’s gonna be something fixed by the aftermarket

My main takeaway is... this is a ******* z34 with new skin. Look at the greenhouse, look at the interior. Sure, updated bits , but..they didn’t change the platform

Really, I just need to know if they changed the pick points the suspension. Can those GTR brakes be bolted up? Is the suspension changed?

And more importantly, can the drive train fit easily ?

Cuz I’m getting that drivetrain if it does