Here is my input:
-You have multiple people saying different things from inside Nissan and outside, who claim to have sources. In the end we will probably see two cars come out of this by the looks of it, a lightweight 4 banger RWD to compete with the FRS (think Silvia) and a lighter car than the current Z with a smaller 6 cylinder new motor to help stay competitive. The other possibility was an old rumor that the head Nissan said, they want to look at being the first to market with an all electric sports car for the masses. In the interview he even drop the Z as being a possibility but he would not want to ruin that history.

Have you driven the new Coyote GT? Without argument it's faster in a straight line, and I'd wager it is equivalent, if not faster, around a course like VIR.

But all of that means nothing once you drive a Z back to back with a GT. They feel completely different. The GT drives like a musclecar - big engine, softer chassis, high seating position, big and burly. The Z drives like a go-kart - tight, precise, low-slung, lots of feedback. The difference is the feel, not just the numbers, and its specific to each car. Res ipsa loquitur.

I think we'll see a new electric Z, but probably not this soon. Though I did just read something on MT about Nissan opening up a lithium ion battery plant in the US....

You talking about the Leaf facility where they are going to build that car and such?
I don't think it is to soon for an all electric sports car, especially when you look at the Leaf and it weights in under 3,500lbs and goes 100 miles on a charge. The Z is and always will be a luxury item so if they can push new battery tech which gives us 150-200 then that would be perfect. Plus the Z is a 2 seater so the backseat of the leaf could be replaced with more batteries for a boost of speed/miles.

I've ridden in my friend's and he was coming from a 370Z. He said handling was comparable, which it seemed to be. I did test drive one, but I scared the salesman pulling out of the driveway so that only lasted like 2 mins. It definitely does feel different because of the size, but I think it can still handle the turns nearly as well. It is faster around a road course and is comparable to an E92 M3 in that case. It won't feel the same, but it will best the lap times of the Z.

Yeah that's the one. I guess it depends on when/if Nissan started working on it.

And the next Z will be a 4cyn turbo. The way they are marketing it, it seems so nissan will go with a smaller engine and just dropping the number completely.

If they go with a 4cyn Turbo, it will suck and wont' sound the same.

Definitely no V8.

The problem with nissan and the 370Z, they only do minor changes here and there while the stangs does some decent changes (not comparing the 2).

Really what nissan should do with the Z and what some other people have said in this thread, is offer 2 different engines like the mustangs and cameros.
Improve on the V6 and offer a 4cyn.

If they do keep the V6, more than likely it will be under 400HP. Nissan or any other Asian car manufacturer seems never really up the HP that much.

Not like what ford did with their mustang of 100HP increase. Never will that happen with Nissan, toyota or honda.

We shall see what will happen in the next coming months.

Everyone has apparently ignored my comment. There is no way Nissan will put anything other then a 6 cylinder in the Z. The Z has and always will have a 6 just like a Vette with its V8's and RX-7's 8's with its Rotary. Its one of the thing that makes a Z a Z.

Actually, the original Vette started with a I6 and the V8 was an option. Though they quickly adopted the V8 as the standard soon afterwards.

A turbo 4 in a Z just sounds like a bad idea. No one wants it. People who don't own a current or previous Z won't want it, and guys in Mustangs and Camaro's won't trade for it. The fight for efficiency ends when Marketing tells the the boss, no one will buy it, the Boss will tell the engineers to do what Marketing says. Stick with the 6. Last time I checked, people driving fast cars don't need revolutionary fuel economy, just enough to get past regs.

I think that's where you're wrong. Look at how popular the FRS/BRZ are. If that's what Nissan is targeting then they will probably see increased sale numbers. They'd have to lower the price a bit though.

It's not going to fly with a Z emblem on the back of it. The FRS/BRZ, while great vehicle's are really just a stepping stone to higher performing vehicles. Nissan had a different lineup seperate from the Z with the S13/14/15 platform. That's where a light weight 4 cylinder turbo should be. Those coupes put up numbers that barely best the Miata. It would behoove Nissan to have a 3 sports car lineup if they want to cover the market.They would abandon an entire demographic ($30k-$50k) to move down to a sub $30k.

I should have clarified that no one wants the Z emblem on a 4 cylinder car.

:stirthepot:

FWD, 1.8L Juke Turbo powered Altima coupe will get my money as Nissan's next "entry" level sports car under the next gen Z and GT-R. And will probably be their answer to the FR-S/BRZ.

I highly doubt Nissan will release another RWD platform in addition to the 370Z/G37 & GT-R platforms unless it shared chassis with another model. Nissan is pushing the 2013 Altima sedan hardcore right now and are putting off the redesigned Altima coupe models for a little while.

Wasn't that supposed to be the "mini-Z"? Is Nissan still doing that?