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Originally Posted by RicerX
The breakout of the trims and pricing makes perfect sense - even moreso than the 370Z's pricing ever did, because you're getting something tangibly and measurably better in the top trims that more aligns with what potential buyers might throw their money at. The 300hp version of the VR30DDTT is also cheaper to produce, contributing to a less expensive entry level model.
On the low end, you have a 300hp version that is an improvement over the previous generation car in virtually every way. More tech, more power under the curve, better standard equipment. It will also be price-positioned to play in the BRZ/MX5/EcoBoost Mustang space. The BRZ starts at $28k, and I believe even the 370Z is a superior vehicle (for what is less than 10% more money right now, new for new, base trim to base trim, excluding any available incentives). Whatever vanilla toyota juice gets pumped into the "all new" BRZ doesn't sound like it will even compare to the leap the powertrain will make from the 370 to the new Z. For those that want to mod, the choice will be a no brainer - the Z will have a far higher ceiling than any of those other choices.
On the high end, you'll have a Nismo that makes 100hp+ more (what did so many people gripe about with the current Nismo again?), providing value for costing more and putting it within punching distance of any of the mainstream sports cars in that price range with respect to power output.
We'll also already have a pretty well established aftermarket with AMS and other players that have been active on the Infiniti Red Sport cars.
You'll have a car that's a significant improvement and far more competitive that can compete in two spaces. That's better than what can be said for any point in the 370Z's lifecycle.
While that covers the segment itself, your potential buyer profile also widens. There are those that may be swayed from another brand with the value proposition of the lower end package, and there are those that will be placing a Nismo order the day the books open and bringing it to Z-Con the first chance they get. You can satisfy and retain your cult following of Z buyers (Nissan's first objective as it's their only sure bet on any profitability whatsover) yet allow yourself an opportunity to increase the size of that cult following.
If the car mag in question turns out to be correct, then I will have called this from the beginning and stand by my assessment that this is the right move, and we'll have a Z platform that stands to be in the most potentially profitable position since the Z32. Which brings me to my next prediction -
I think we'll see the return of the 300ZX. I might be wrong, but it would be neat if I wasn't.
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I agree, this puts the next Z on the best competitive footing it has ever had. I clearly remember the last Z32 TT I saw at a dealer going for $50K+ in the mid 90's. It was a great car, but really really expensive.
My money is on the name "300Z" being used. The "x" isn't that important to the lineage of Z, it was just thrown in these during the late 70's "just because" and Nissan dropped it when they brought out the 350Z. I know everyone keeps calling the car "400Z" but there is absolutely no premise for Nissan to do that. 300Z will still be a new name in the lineage, even if it goes backward numerically.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FPenvy
i'm slightly confused is S and T are for "sport" and "touring", then why would the plain sport model be a 300hp model?
i know it lines up with Q60 300hp vs Q60RS having 400hp.
buttttt if you toss a "sport" name on it why only 300hp and ST will have 400?
touring was always the way they denoted the upgraded seats.
idk nissan always blows it with the trims especially when they updated it in like 2013 or whatever.
originally the sport touring on the 09-12 models was perfect. i hope thats how they do it again. also curious as to if the GTR brakes will be on sport or touring or only a nismo option.
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Japan has slightly different options, don't they?
I think maybe they'll offer dual piston sliding calipers on the lower 300HP models, Akebono calipers on the 400HP models, and possibly the GTR brakes on the Nismo?
I would LOVE to get a 400HP 6MT with Akebonos and cloth interior. I really hope they don't make leather mandatory for 400HP trims.
According to Q50/60 VR folks, the difference between the 300HP and 400HP models is largely erased with tuning, the tunes gain A LOT on 300HP cars and less on 400HP cars, bringing tuned 300HP cars close to the tuned RS cars. The 400HP VR is not terribly different from the 300HP model, I believe turbine speed sensors and an extra cooler. Careful tuning and adding more cooling are what most people do to achieve big gains from the 300HP VR.
There's other questions I have too, like what kind of differential in the different trims?