Next gen Nissan Z will be smaller and lighter...

PW370z · 07-13-2012, 04:10 AM

Nissan is reportedly hard at work on its next-generation Z. According to Inside Line, designers are already churning away on a concept version of the 2015 Z that may bow at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The report notes that Shiro Nakamura, head of design for Nissan, says the new Z will be both smaller and lighter than the current 370Z.

The model will also be geared toward a wider audience, and Nissan may be investigating the possibility of ditching the tried-and-true 3.7-liter VQ V6 for a turbocharged four-cylinder, a move that would almost certainly help fuel efficiency. The current Z is saddled with a lackluster 26 mpg highway, and strong early sales of cars like the Scion FR-S certainly indicate certain buyers are willing to drop a few ponies for a machine that's engaging to drive and at least somewhat fuel efficient.

Blasphemy? Maybe, but the thought of an engaging, lightweight turbo four sports car is the stuff dreams are made of - it's the "wider audience" part of the discussion that has us concerned as enthusiasts. A smaller Z would likely mean abandoning the Z's FM platform which also underpins machines like the Infiniti G Coupe and Sedan as well as the FX softroader. Inside Line says Nissan may turn to its corporate partner Daimler for some help in the chassis department.Next Nissan Z will be smaller, lighter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

nepali · 07-13-2012, 08:55 AM

2015 Nissan Z may be lighter, leaner

Quote:

Originally Posted by PW370z

Nissan is reportedly hard at work on its next-generation Z. According to Inside Line, designers are already churning away on a concept version of the 2015 Z that may bow at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The report notes that Shiro Nakamura, head of design for Nissan, says the new Z will be both smaller and lighter than the current 370Z.

The model will also be geared toward a wider audience, and Nissan may be investigating the possibility of ditching the tried-and-true 3.7-liter VQ V6 for a turbocharged four-cylinder, a move that would almost certainly help fuel efficiency. The current Z is saddled with a lackluster 26 mpg highway, and strong early sales of cars like the Scion FR-S certainly indicate certain buyers are willing to drop a few ponies for a machine that's engaging to drive and at least somewhat fuel efficient.

Blasphemy? Maybe, but the thought of an engaging, lightweight turbo four sports car is the stuff dreams are made of - it's the "wider audience" part of the discussion that has us concerned as enthusiasts. A smaller Z would likely mean abandoning the Z's FM platform which also underpins machines like the Infiniti G Coupe and Sedan as well as the FX softroader. Inside Line says Nissan may turn to its corporate partner Daimler for some help in the chassis department.Next Nissan Z will be smaller, lighter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

daisuke149 · 07-13-2012, 09:56 AM

I dont know why this is a surprise. Its the trend nearly all automakers are making..

shadoquad · 07-13-2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daisuke149

I dont know why this is a surprise. Its the trend nearly all automakers are making..

Can they shed 600 lbs and keep 332bhp coming out of a v6? That's what I'd fap to trade my Z for.

HKYStormFront · 07-13-2012, 09:58 AM

really? another thread on this?

RandyD · 07-13-2012, 10:00 AM

i hope it doesnt get too small - Jay already doesn't fit

falconfixer · 07-13-2012, 11:00 AM

Ibtm

Iceagetlc · 07-15-2012, 02:34 AM

Put a turbo 4 in it sure, that'd be awesome. Just don't call it a Z. Discontinue it until you're able to compete with the A class cars again.

sfearl1 · 07-15-2012, 02:44 AM

Repost

07-13-2012, 04:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
PW370z Base Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 213 Drives: '12 6MT/Spt/Trng/Nav Rep Power: 14	Next gen Nissan Z will be smaller and lighter... Nissan is reportedly hard at work on its next-generation Z. According to Inside Line, designers are already churning away on a concept version of the 2015 Z that may bow at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The report notes that Shiro Nakamura, head of design for Nissan, says the new Z will be both smaller and lighter than the current 370Z. The model will also be geared toward a wider audience, and Nissan may be investigating the possibility of ditching the tried-and-true 3.7-liter VQ V6 for a turbocharged four-cylinder, a move that would almost certainly help fuel efficiency. The current Z is saddled with a lackluster 26 mpg highway, and strong early sales of cars like the Scion FR-S certainly indicate certain buyers are willing to drop a few ponies for a machine that's engaging to drive and at least somewhat fuel efficient. Blasphemy? Maybe, but the thought of an engaging, lightweight turbo four sports car is the stuff dreams are made of - it's the "wider audience" part of the discussion that has us concerned as enthusiasts. A smaller Z would likely mean abandoning the Z's FM platform which also underpins machines like the Infiniti G Coupe and Sedan as well as the FX softroader. Inside Line says Nissan may turn to its corporate partner Daimler for some help in the chassis department.Next Nissan Z will be smaller, lighter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

07-13-2012, 09:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	really? another thread on this? __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

07-15-2012, 02:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
sfearl1 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 2,300 Drives: 2013 FBO E85 GTR Rep Power: 17	Repost __________________ Scott

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07-13-2012, 09:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	I dont know why this is a surprise. Its the trend nearly all automakers are making..

07-13-2012, 10:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
RandyD A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Potomac Falls, VA Posts: 2,977 Drives: 2010 370z 7AT Roadst Rep Power: 20	i hope it doesnt get too small - Jay already doesn't fit

07-13-2012, 11:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
falconfixer Track Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: 10aC Posts: 978 Drives: Taco Rep Power: 76	Ibtm

07-15-2012, 02:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
Iceagetlc Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Oxford, PA Posts: 139 Drives: '11 STI Limited S2 Rep Power: 13	Put a turbo 4 in it sure, that'd be awesome. Just don't call it a Z. Discontinue it until you're able to compete with the A class cars again.