Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - Infiniti/Nissan working on 530-HP twin-turbo model?

jwfisher · 05-14-2012, 11:08 PM

It is interesting, and unusual that it is being talked about at this early date. Of course the present G is well behind the curve, and is being hurt by it's competitors. It's just not as attractive as it once was. I walked the showroom the other day comparing the G to the M and there is an enormous gap. And then I had a G25 service car while my G37S was being worked on and that thing was just sad. Substandard driving dynamics, even cheap leather on the base seats. Not anything attractive, or to aspire to. Buyers can do so much better. Look at the new Lexus GS, for example.
But the next big question is what happens to the Z. Does it move to the new platform with the G - accepting that that also dictates it's heavier weight and price (and there are no other platforms)? Does it have a base 4 cylinder engine option too? And what is the timing?
Likely 2 years out if the same schedule is followed again... and from the market standpoint the Z is a lot less exciting now and unique in the market than it was when the latest model came out.
Nissan had better do something to regain some Z momentum in the marketplace. The drop in the proverbial bucket they are spending on taking the Z racing in the last year might be a small part of a market awareness plan... but since that takes time and technical development, it might also be too late. Only the top cars get the publicity... the Z won't be a top car - at least not until after a few years of racing and getting experience. The Z won't be able to get the same results in the Grand-Am Continental Tire series that the Mustang did (of which almost all of it was with a non-production engine, and when there was no real competition).
I have to wonder what kind of Z Nissan thinks we all want in the next one... and if what we want in the marketplace is realistic and would produce some significant volume, or at least enough. It's easy for us to sit here and say we want 450 HP, but we are not the majority of the buyers demographic.

05-14-2012, 11:08 PM	#27 (permalink)
jwfisher Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 15 Drives: 2009 G37S Stillen SC Rep Power: 16	It is interesting, and unusual that it is being talked about at this early date. Of course the present G is well behind the curve, and is being hurt by it's competitors. It's just not as attractive as it once was. I walked the showroom the other day comparing the G to the M and there is an enormous gap. And then I had a G25 service car while my G37S was being worked on and that thing was just sad. Substandard driving dynamics, even cheap leather on the base seats. Not anything attractive, or to aspire to. Buyers can do so much better. Look at the new Lexus GS, for example. But the next big question is what happens to the Z. Does it move to the new platform with the G - accepting that that also dictates it's heavier weight and price (and there are no other platforms)? Does it have a base 4 cylinder engine option too? And what is the timing? Likely 2 years out if the same schedule is followed again... and from the market standpoint the Z is a lot less exciting now and unique in the market than it was when the latest model came out. Nissan had better do something to regain some Z momentum in the marketplace. The drop in the proverbial bucket they are spending on taking the Z racing in the last year might be a small part of a market awareness plan... but since that takes time and technical development, it might also be too late. Only the top cars get the publicity... the Z won't be a top car - at least not until after a few years of racing and getting experience. The Z won't be able to get the same results in the Grand-Am Continental Tire series that the Mustang did (of which almost all of it was with a non-production engine, and when there was no real competition). I have to wonder what kind of Z Nissan thinks we all want in the next one... and if what we want in the marketplace is realistic and would produce some significant volume, or at least enough. It's easy for us to sit here and say we want 450 HP, but we are not the majority of the buyers demographic. __________________ 2009 G37S, Stillen SC, Stillen oil and tranny coolers, Stillen swaybars, SPC adjustable suspension, ARK exhaust. www.DrivingEnthusiast.net (personal website, blogs, RSS feeds)