Why is Ford doing more than Nissan?

OnCallZ

I agree, nissan needs to step up with the Z, currently the only competitive sports car they have is the GTR, the z turned into a GT cruiser, overpriced and under-powered. I remember reading an article in 2002-2003 when the 350z was deemed a Japanese mustang, now it seems that the new Japanese mustang got caught in a time loop and can't come out of early 21st century.

Personally I would love to see a detuned gtr engine in the next gen Z, yes yes I know the r35 engine is an expensive thing, but the VR38DETT evolved from the VQ35/37, so I don't see why we can't have some convergent evolution and fabricate a VR38 derivative with maybe less boost/ revised internals to fit the 35k segment.
I don't know if it would be cheaper then going to a full or half aluminum chassis, but I do know it would have the same effect, nothing wrong with 3200lbs and 450hp/420tq and limitless tuning potential, this surely would put the Z back in the lead

ImportConvert

Problem: GT-R engine is horribly inefficient weight/power wise. They would do better shoving an LS7 under the hood, unless you want a 4,000# car, maybe they could call it the 4000Z, LMAO!

UNKNOWN_370

I don't think it's underpowered, but transmission and suspension tuning should have been done to improve acceleration. also they should have moved to a more aggressive tire. they just totally missed the bus with simple improvements that could have made dramatic changes.

ImportConvert

Honestly, I don't have any issue with the suspension for acceleration. The high 12/low 13 second 1/4 mile times point to others doing well with it when using it at the drag strip, too.

My issue is with the suspension where the road turns and/or a bump is encountered. Nissan left a LOT on the table, here...

/Angelo350Z/

I really hope Nissan builds the next Z to compete with the 911 Carrera, and the Nismo variant to go up against the Carrera S. I'm such a fanboy that I'll pay $70K fora 420+ hp, 3100 lb, NA V8 or TT V6 Z. That would then open up the segment for the new Silvia; slotted exactly where the Z has been all this time.

__________________

2013 MB NISSAN 370Z SPORT

ImportConvert

Nissan is a relatively poor company competing with a relatively well-off company, and a government backed company. They cannot afford to do such grandiose things as move a car up an entire segment and create another one to fill its place. That is industry-shattering, and Nissan doesn't have near the oomph in their pockets to even contemplate it.

/Angelo350Z/

Yeah, but we can all dream . That would be awesome though ... a more exclusive Z with over 420 hp from the factory. Match it with timeless lines similar to the Z32, and I'm sold..

__________________

2013 MB NISSAN 370Z SPORT

ImportConvert

It would cost a ton. The 370Z already has too much horsepower for the car as it comes from the factory, and they have cut a lot of corners in quality on it.

UNKNOWN_370

Z34 blows out the Z32 in looks. I say just smooth out and advance the current look.

UNKNOWN_370

I agree, but in forward accel, the Z can push mid 12's with a better forward suspension and better tires. I've pulled 12.9 on the drag. When i do some better susp mods i expect 12.6

ImportConvert

At the cost of handling a corner. I'll pass. NA V6's make shitty drag racing cars.