What can we expect from 2012 Z?

resdm50

I know it would mostly be speculation at this point, but what are everyone's thoughts on what we can expect from the 2012 370z? A hp bump perhaps? Exterior changes? My lease will be up next year and I'm intrigued on what the 2012 will bring.

Koji_Online

What I want to know is if Nissan plans to up displacement any further in the future.. how big can you make a 6cyl. lol 420Z

wolf370z

I have a feeling that either:

A) Nissan is going to produce a few more years of the 370z at most without much change. The reason why, in my opinion, is the fact that it really doesn't have any competition. What other sports cars can be had in the $30k-$35k price range? Unless you're looking at a "performance car" (like the Mustang/Camaro, etc) but is not strictly a sports car then I guess that's competition. But to be honest, that's comparing a sports car to a muscle car. I think Nissan is going to take advantage of that.

B) Nissan is going to rework it's little sports car to be geared a little more towards performance in order to be more competitive against similar "performance vehicles" in the price range. I'm talking like upping the displacement (4.0L v8?). What I'd like to see (but comes with an obvious $ difference) is a 400zx. Essentially a call back to the 300zx, except this time around offering a small displacement v8 (4.0L) and offering NA and twin turbo versions.

OR they could use a more aggressively tuned/built NA 5.6L v8, an engine they have already developed and being sold in their M56 and QX56 models. I would imagine that it could produce ~450 flywheel horsepower, outpowering the Mustang and Camaro and hopefully they could keep the weight down (3400 lbs maybe?) I'm sure a lot of people want an even lighter Z than the 370z but let's be serious. The 300zx was heavy, why not the 420zx or 560z?

I really wish Nissan would consider moving in this direction, possibly making it a tad more expensive, and then introducing a very entry level sports car (revival of the 240sx?) with possibly a turbo'd 4 cylinder for the environmentally concerned buyer and an NA v6 (possibly the VQ35 or VQ37?) for the people who want a bit more performance and less gas mileage.

I think Nissan could approach this a number of ways but I'm confident change WILL happen by 2014.

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Blue370tt

This is NEVER going to happen. Just like chevy is never going to make the camaro faster than the corvette, nissan will NEVER make the 370z faster than the GTR......OR EVEN CLOSE IN SPEED!

shadoquad

But isn't the 2012 GTR getting a power bump? Maybe they'll have a Z power bump to go in line with it.

I doubt they'll slap on an extra two cylinders, though.

wolf370z

I guess a 400 hp Z is now magically going to be close to the same "speed" (whatever that means?) As the 530hp GT-R?

I think a 560z would be a wonderful addition to Nissans lineup...

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ThoriumHotdog

Does Nissan already have a larger V6 or V8 in production? If they already had a higher HP motor in a larger displacement I could see them offering it as an option. I bet they only make some slight appearance changes but nothing too serious.

370fan

Well.... The 370 has a VQ37. The Frontiers have a VQ40..... 4.0L in the same configuration.

370Z JT

Most likely small changes lin the exterior. Different front and rear bumpers. New color option. Perhaps different wheels.

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280z/300zx

A v8 would be pointless and ruin the Z at the same time. They could just as easily go with a smaller displacement motor and TT set up to get the power needed for the future as well as possibly gain a few mpg which will be needed given all the new government mandates regarding mpg. I mean look at the GTR. A 3.8 TT that puts out over 500hp stock. Why go with a V8?

However, regarding the 370z I see the usual minor exterior tweaks and perhaps small bump in hp for 2012. The 370z is due for it's mid model update and I think we can expect just minor tweaks to the looks and power. I doubt we will see any drastic changes. Expect to see a new front bumper and maybe even wheels. Of course we'll see another silver/grey color from Nissan as that is all they seem to be doing these days. I also see power going to 340-350 for the Z and maybe 360-365 for the Nismo. Aside from that, not much else

ImportConvert

Why?
Because it's heavy as heck compared to a large-displacement V8 and doesn't make any more power and gets worse mileage?

theDreamer

Are we comparing the LS7 here?
Because the GT-R (R35) gets 15/21 and the LS7 gets 15/23 I believe, wow.

Also, the weight factor is in the XX difference which is very minor considering the GT-R is loaded with extra piping for its TT kit. Throw in some extra money on using lighter material and the VR38 is perfect.

On the topic of the 2012 370z, I expect no real changes. I think Nissan is trying to figure out what to do with the car. Does it want to make the first sub 40k electric sports car? Do they want to go all out, since the GT-R just got a nice power bump it gives room for the Z to have closer to 350-400HP from factory now.

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ImportConvert

Would be neat if they made a 375bhp or so Z. I don't think it will happen, though. At least, not with the VQ.

The V8 really is where it's at. There are a lot of great engines, but the old cam-in-block V8 continues to be near or on the top of the heap when it comes to power/weight ratio.

ClemsonWill

I really don't think you will see much of a power bump. Maybe the base 370z gets a bump to the Nismo hp. You will most likely see slight changes in the bumpers and new wheels. Maybe some minor interior cosmetic changes such as colored stitching in the seats or something.

I look foward to seeing it though.

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CBRich

Most likely scenario. If they move to a V8 or add twin turbos in a MMC the whole world would have a heart attack. Won't happen.