The next Z shouldn't be out until 2016... correct? While Nissan is sittings on their haunches even while designing a car that isn't in production they should rethink the definition of a "sports car".
By the time they release this thing Toyota will have figured out how to put a turbo in the FRS. Subaru will have released the WRX STI and this Mercedes -
First Mercedes A45 AMG Turbo 360HP Sound Interior and Details - YouTube - is already proving you can build and tune a motor to perform. Yeah, you might get better fuel efficiency out of a 4 cyl, but come on! Who buys a sports car for fuel efficiency?! Not this guy. And I sure wouldn't buy the new Z. Looks like a cross between a 240 and a Charger with those vent lines down the side. The Charger part looks ridiculous.
But I posted a rant about this elsewhere. It all comes down to the fight for fuel efficiency. They don't care about hp numbers. I think Nissan's benchmark was 300. But being a 2.5L vs. the 2.0L Mercedes? Both being turbo, the Mercedes is sure to trump the fuel efficiency battle on the highway at least. Even at 360hp. If it wasn't so damn ugly. I'm sure the price bracket is way up there too. But seriously. It can be done. We have the technology. Nissan knows how. They just don't want to.