Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

sbsmoov · 11-19-2008, 05:17 PM

A 400-430HP V8 if offered would make sense IMO because it would compete in the sports car/muscle car segment just below the performance level of the GT-R. The GT-R's main competitor is the Porsche 911 Turbo and other supercars. The 370Z's main competitor is the Porsche Cayman S. But Nissan does not have a Corvette (base) fighter or offering to compete in that market segment (see below)--there's a huge performance gap (100+hp) here that a V8 offering would fill.

1. Corvette (430HP)
2. Dodge Challenger SRT-8 (425HP)
3. Camaro Z28 SS (420HP)
4. Ford Shelby GT500 (500HP)
5. Porsche 911 Carerra/S (345HP/385HP)
6. Audi TT RS (340HP)
7. BMW Z4M (420HP)

And a V8 would definately appeal to and draw sales from the muscle car segment--Nissan's best approach, from a marketing standpoint, would be to do it American style--V8 powerplant. I think many prospective Corvette, Camaro & Challenger customers would reconsider--even more so now since the Big 3 are nearly bankrupt. Strategically it would be a great opportunity for Nissan to grab market share in this segment. And I do believe Nissan already has a 4.5L unit--450Z has a nice ring to it...don't you agree?

Any thoughts?

11-19-2008, 05:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
sbsmoov Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Posts: 54 Rep Power: 17	Here's why a V8 makes sense A 400-430HP V8 if offered would make sense IMO because it would compete in the sports car/muscle car segment just below the performance level of the GT-R. The GT-R's main competitor is the Porsche 911 Turbo and other supercars. The 370Z's main competitor is the Porsche Cayman S. But Nissan does not have a Corvette (base) fighter or offering to compete in that market segment (see below)--there's a huge performance gap (100+hp) here that a V8 offering would fill. 1. Corvette (430HP) 2. Dodge Challenger SRT-8 (425HP) 3. Camaro Z28 SS (420HP) 4. Ford Shelby GT500 (500HP) 5. Porsche 911 Carerra/S (345HP/385HP) 6. Audi TT RS (340HP) 7. BMW Z4M (420HP) And a V8 would definately appeal to and draw sales from the muscle car segment--Nissan's best approach, from a marketing standpoint, would be to do it American style--V8 powerplant. I think many prospective Corvette, Camaro & Challenger customers would reconsider--even more so now since the Big 3 are nearly bankrupt. Strategically it would be a great opportunity for Nissan to grab market share in this segment. And I do believe Nissan already has a 4.5L unit--450Z has a nice ring to it...don't you agree? Any thoughts? Last edited by sbsmoov; 11-19-2008 at 09:44 PM.