Motor Trend article - Mini-Z
 

Motor Trend - Nissan working on Mini-Z to target FR-S/BRZ

I like the first picture (wouldn't mind seeing a future Z incorporate some of the design features) but the other pictures (probably the production route) should not be be considered a "mini-Z"

interesting...... i like nissans thinking with the economy in mind.. ppl may not have the money for a regular Z so this is a good way for Z lovers to get a sports car AND save money

Front wheel drive? Seriously?

yah, i dont mind the miniaturization, actually. it wont replace my Z, but something small and fun is always welcome.

yah, that's fine with me if it's a dd.

yeahm they lost me there. Id pick up the scion first.

:iagree:


How in the hell can this FWD hatchback even be considered as anything related to the Z car.

I've been watching Honda go downhill for the last 5-6 years... now Nissan???!

Come on. :shakes head:

lol FWD is cheaper, more dd'able. I'm ok with any drivetrain as long as it's competitively priced for the performance.

The Scion is almost too slow for the drivetrain to matter :roflpuke2:

im not sure but i think the theme here is budget 'fun car' not 'rwd car.'

FF cars can be a lot of fun. boring cars (altima, camry, malibu, etc) are FF so we automatically assume that they suck... MINI's are fun to drive and i bet Abarth is fun to drive as well.

For those wondering.
This is going to China first, the US is not even considered yet. Also, they are basically taking the Juke and making a car version of it. Which is a FWD & AWD platform.

GTI, MS3, and I'm sure the Focus ST are fun as well.

And if it goes AWD, it'll probably be even more of a hoot.

:wtf2:

never mind everything i said.

Mini Z? Hardly. More like a Juke turned into a 2 door coupe.

The theme is something that will likely not make it to the US. And if it does it will compete with Fiat and Mini's more directly and not the FRS/BRZ.

190hp, front wheel drive? yuck. Why would you get that over a FR-s/BRZ?

Because this one will have a turbo.

It is known "in-house" as the mini-Z which means they will rebrand it as something else when it is finished (thank god). If it is meant to compete with the FWD, small displacement platform, they shouldn't put the Z badge on it IMO.

Should have made it RWD if they really wanted to compete with the FT86.

It has a turbo so it already beats the brz in the aftermarket easy. Coupled with awd could make a really good dd.

:confused:

:facepalm:

Fail....

Just threw up in my mouth a little.

:icon18:

So I just took the time to read the article. Its just a FWD Juke? WTF NISSAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring back the 240 or some kind of variant. RWD and a Tiny TURBO 4 banger, doesn't even need a lot of HP as long as its turbo.

That's what I said!

But it's supposed to be competition for the FRS/BRZ. I mean, if you want to compete with every other FWD sports car and be more practical/cheaper FWD and all that, that's great, but don't pretend you're competing with the FR-S when you do it.

If thats the next Z , i'm not buying it !!!! If they think they will level their z to the same category as the brz then i would rather buy a brz/fr-s .

I've been waiting for a Turbo Leaf....thanks Nissan :shakes head:

but it's for china. who gives a f-

:iagree: We probably won't ever see this car here anyway.

This is Good news. drop the so called altima coupe and really Give us Something. Its Turbo that's all I care about. Fwd? Hey can't be so picky. And at least this is not the new Z! Which I hope will still be a big NA V6 engine and not down sizing like we've been hearing. Now the question is how am I gonna afford both this and the new Z!

Listen, buddy, don't you try to reign in my misplaced outrage with your stupid facts and logic! :icon08:

:icon18:

I'd rather get a wrx. D:

fixed

wrong class of cars, more expensive.

if they can make something cool enough and be awd, id be all over it. I need a winter car. the first picture looks pretty decent, the other ones looks like mini coopers...no thanks.

:iagree: partially agree based on brand... id take the subaru. i stopped reading after fwd. how can they use the words "compete with frs" with an fwd.

going further into this thread....

nissan should use the juke engine and Z BASED transmissions to make a small sub 2800lb l awd coupe rating 250 turbo horses.

Mr. Kenchan happens to excel at that.

We'll see more and more of these sporty coupes coming out as all the major manufacturers realize they somehow overlooked the gap in the market. I'm glad it's coming out and they can call it whatever the hell they want as long as it keeps Nissan going and finances development on the next gen Z's and GT-R's.

The only thing that appeals to me on this car is the HUD. I also had to laugh a little when I saw "Nismo" written on the side of it.