Jeffblue

Understandible point. However, corvettes are pretty much running newer versions of the same idea now. Light car, big v8 engine the end. Great concept and it works. It also makes it easier for them to continually improve the car without significantly increasing the. Don't get me wrong, obviously the new LS motors are leaps and bounds over anything even from 10 years ago. Chevy didn't really have to cut anything out of the car in order to try and maintain or reduce its cost.

The only reason the 370z and 350z cost less than the z32 TT is because the Z went from having a purpose built twin turbocharged motor used only in one application, to simply using the same vq that they throw in into the Altima, Maxima, FX, EX, G, M (and i'm probably missing some). Designing every car around the same motor really helps cut costs, but when it comes to building performance cars, it really kills the performance and soul of the vehicle. The fact of the matter is, a stock 370z isn't exactly going sh1t all over a maxima in a straight line. You know why? because they have the same powerplant and the Z isn't even that much lighter.

Had the Z continued to receive its own motor for only its application it, and nissan had continued to improve upon its design, you'd wind up with a Z with a VR38DETT, and if the Z were actually designed around that motor, or one similar to it, the Z would beat corvettes just like it did in the 90's.