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Nissan boss spills the beans on the replacement for the 370Z, and it will be lighter and more efficient
Nissan is downsizing its Z-car. When the replacement for the 370Z arrives in 2016, it will be smaller, lighter and use an efficient four-cylinder engine for the first time – making it more of a spiritual successor to the 240Z.
Vice-president Andy Palmer told us: “We will always produce a Z-car, but to make the next model more relevant in the current economic and environmental climate, it will need to use a four-cylinder engine.”
This is a big change for the Z-car range. Ever since the 240Z arrived more than 40 years ago, it’s had a six-cylinder engine. Enthusiasts shouldn’t worry just yet, though. Palmer explained: “We may also offer a six-cylinder version of the next Z-car, but only in very limited numbers.”
It’s likely any four-cylinder Z-car will use turbocharging to ensure thrilling performance, but with significant gains in economy over the current V6 370Z, sales of which have stalled recently due to spiralling fuel prices.
There are a couple of potential engine options available already through the Renault-Nissan alliance. Nissan’s own 1.6 turbo from the Juke could be tuned beyond 200bhp, while the 2.0-litre turbo from the Renaultsport Megane 265 is another option.
What’s more likely is that the next Z-car will feature an all-new engine, and it could come from Renault-Nissan’s powertrain tie-up with Daimler. At the recent Paris Motor Show, the companies announced they were working on a range of turbo petrol engines, the first of which will go into cars from 2016 – which is when the 370Z’s replacement is expected to arrive. The car could also get an efficient new automatic gearbox, which is also being co-developed under the Daimler deal.
The use of a four-cylinder engine for the first time in a Z-car should see a change in its naming strategy. Until now, names have been based on the car’s engine capacity, but this may not be so relevant with a turbocharged engine. Nissan may follow Renault and use the car’s power output in the name, or the new car could simply be called the 240Z in honour of the original.
As our illustration shows, it’ll get the familiar Z-car muscular wheelarches, a swooping coupe roofline, aggressive nose and short rear overhang. The body will be made from lighter materials, such as aluminium alloys and thinner stronger steels, for greater efficiency, and this weight saving will mean improved agility.
A Nismo model will be available with tuned suspension and a slight power upgrade. This could also have a limited slip differential – like the Toyota GT 86 – to ensure it’s ready to use as a drift car right out of the box.
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