2016 Nissan Z: Sorry, Z Fans, No Return to Roots Just Yet
 

I saw this article and thought I would share.

Sorry if it's a repost.

What It Is: The seventh generation of Nissan's iconic sports car. Despite rumors of a 240Z reboot, a downsized Z is unlikely, as Nissan doesn't have an appropriate architecture to refashion the Z into a lighter, less expensive sports car akin to the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins. Expect a concept car appearing in the next 18 months to indicate a new design direction. The styling will break with the immediate past even as the rest of the package steams ahead on much the same course.

Why It Matters: In a lineup fraught with frugal four-cylinders paired with CVTs, the Z is as much an outlier as the GT-R. But Nissan needs the Z to tend the fire, reminding the world of the Datsun days when affordable performance was more of a corporate priority than cross-dressing crossovers. Godzilla may be the halo car, but it now costs six figures.

Platform: The Z will share a chassis with the Infiniti Q50. This new iteration of Nissan's entry-luxury sedan rides on an updated version of the venerable FM platform that underpins the current Z. Nissan will do what it can to keep the weight down, deploying more aluminum along with other pound-paring measures.

Powertrain: The VQ V-6 is a sure bet, but enhanced with direct injection to make at least 350 horsepower. Not even CVT-crazy Nissan is nuts enough to nix the Z's six-speed manual, which should soldier on alongside the current seven-speed automatic. Don't expect to see the Q50's performance hybrid system in the Z, but a Mercedes-designed, turbocharged four-cylinder could be offered. Nissan will be building the smaller-displacement engine, destined for the Q50, in Tennessee.

Competition: Audi TT, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Mustang, Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

What Might Go Wrong: We're not sure the Z can survive another generation saddled with a platform designed for bigger, heavier sedans. Its thirsty V-6 could turn off buyers wanting to drive their playthings daily, but a more economical four-cylinder may not offer sufficient performance to uphold the Z-car image.

Estimated Arrival and Price: Early 2015, with a base price just under $35,000.




2016 Nissan Z: 25 Cars Worth Waiting For 2014–2017 – Future Cars – Car and Driver

repost, but as far as im concerned C&D is just as much in the dark as the rest of us when it comes to the next Z and while their guesses may be good, they are still guesses and the only people that really know all work for nissan and aren't going to be saying anything for the time being...in other words, car and driver can go F*** themselves :tup:

LOL!!!!! :icon18:

:iagree:

Over the last decade, C&D has become the "National Enquirer" of the Car mag world when it comes to auto news. Their reviews are just as weak as edmunds.

They are even more in the dark than us... Those corporate sponsored losers.

I sincerely doubt that C&D "is just as much in the dark as the rest of us". Do you really think that they have no sources within Nissan?

If implemented properly, GDI is good. More power, and better mpg. Hopefully they can engineer such a solution that does not cause valve deposits.

I guess you haven't kept a track record on how many false rumors they've spread about many cars over the last decade???

I actually agree that this is the most likely course of action, but with more power. Direct injection, some drivetrain improvements, and evolutionary improvements to the motor will improve efficiency. With the Q50 debuting on a FM platform and still running a VQ motor, it really spells out what the new Z is getting. It won't be drastically different because if it is, it won't be profitable and it won't be cheap.

You're probably, maybe right??? But C&D is not a reliable source to confirm these facts, opinions or whatever? What we do know, is what the Z35 engineers said straight out from their mouths talking to Leno. They want to go back to the Z roots (smaller, lighter) for the Z35. But they never said how.

Lastly, the Q50 is 129 lbs lighter than the G. so that is still considered weight reduction. So again, that is a small piece of evidence that may have us on the FM platform. but until we know something about the Q60? Which we don't... We're basically still in the dark.

The Q50 and Q60 are being debuted almost as seperate cars with an 18-24 moth difference in debuts and we don't know why???

Lastly, we're getting 7 years of Z34 instead of 6. Which is the general rule. They need the extra time for some reason?

The Q50 looks like crap, if thats their direction i dont have high hopes at all.

Boo so far.

I like the Q50... But my tastes don't match the forum except for the Z. And even that's questionable with all the self loathers on here.

I'd be disappointed if they keep the current 7AT instead of developing a cheaper DCT (the GT-R's trans alone would be half the price of a Z). An evolutionary improvement would be good enough though. Adding DI and better cooling for brakes and oil with a few more lbs of weight reduction in the front would probably be good enough to keep the Z in the game for a few more years as performance car.

So when did Nissan and Infiniti ever fit in the same style family? Since when was this about the Q50? Since when did your opinion matter? You troll all day proclaiming the Z sucks... You gonna go to an Infiniti forum and tell them how you feel too? Pretty sure they won't care either.

I love my Z and if it's more of the same, with evolutionary improvements, fine by me. It doesn't need an entirely new platform. The GTR's platform is called "Premium Midship" platform, which is just an improved version"Front Midship" platform. If the GTR can do what it does on similar underpinnings, it's not old or broken. The VQ motor is already getting over 30mpg in the Altima using port injection. I don't think it's unrealistic to anticipate 29-30 mpg with the upcoming Z. Weight will be similar and direct injection will improve fuel economy and increase performance. These are just my thoughts. I really think the entire platform can go another generation with improvements.

Does the 350Z/G35 Ring a bell?? Also its obvious you dont even know the next direction of this car as they are trying to fix the things i have the biggest issues with! Trying to make this car feel like less of a fat pig" we need a serious weight reduction" quoted by the head guys themselves... " We need better mpg"" i get 13 mpg in the city...

Who knows if theyre going to fix the horrible manual gearbox and rough coarse engine that needs to be revved the hell out of just to move.