Jan 19, 2014 article: next 370Z

andyj

This article is on the AUTOCAR UK site today.

Smaller Nissan Z car planned

Nissan officials plan a new Z car, although it will be smaller than the current offering and will use turbo power


New, smaller Nissan Z car planned
Nissan's IDx concept has also been confirmed for production
Richard Bremner


by Richard Bremner

19 January 2014 6:04am


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Nissan’s next Z car "could be smaller", says design boss Shiro Nakamura, and will be powered by a downsized four-cylinder turbocharged engine, according to product chief Andy Palmer.

It will also be a car of slightly different character to the current model and its predecessor, says Nakamura, because "we can’t do the same thing three times".

But although "a new Z will happen", says Palmer, its design has yet to be decided. Palmer also confirms that there will be "a normal version, and a Nismo", Nissan is keen to develop its performance sub-brand as part of its re-orientation as the sportier manufacturer that it has been in previous eras.

Palmer also confirms that there will be a new GT-R, that its "brutal appearance will remain", and that there will be a hybrid version.

"We’ve registered Race Hybrid, or R-Hybrid," he says. The new GT-R and Z car will be joined by a showroom version of Nissan’s radical, narrow front-tracked Bladeglider, derived from its Deltawing race car. The BladeGlider is part of the company’s five year product plan cycle, and should appear within that timeframe. Also confirmed for the showroom is the IDx concept inspired by Japanese performance coupes of the ‘60s and ‘70s, this concept hugely liked by visitors to the recent Tokyo show where it made its debut.

Both this car and the Bladeglider are all about “re-igniting interest in the young”, says Palmer; the lack of interest shown by Japanese, European and American youth in cars is concerning the company.

Read more Detroit motor show news.

DLSTR

No shock really. Smaller boosted motors are very much in force now. The GT-R itself maintains supercar performance with a smaller boosted motor, compared to other 'supercars'.

NissanFan

let's see some real progress, nissan

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All photoshopped. Oh wait, where's all my car picts?

axmea?

Thanks for sharing.

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Z_ealot

what did you expect, GT-R performance in a Z package? nissan would never raise the Z up to that level as it would hurt the sales of the GT-R...i for one am glad they are starting to get back into the swing of things with always being the more sporty car company out of the big three out of Japan...i mean c'mon they (Nissan) are doubling the amount of performance oriented cars within the next 5 years, what else do you want?!

cautupwitdm

I hope they offer two drive-trains.

A V6 with a bump in HP to 350-360 ,maybe using 3.5L turbo'd, and a Nismo version turbo'd that puts out 365-375.

And then a four cylinder drive-train (2.0-2.5) turbo'd version and produces 235hp with a Nismo version that puts out 245-250.

I might be hoping for too much but it gives everyone a choice if they want a killer V6 like we have now, or a lighter more nimble and more economical sports car that will kill the competition in the segment.

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cheshirecat

IMO, they're now chasing the power/weight ratio to try to get more gas milage as well as keep costs down.

Turbo fours are making serious power these days- check the engine in the CLA45 AMG, for instance.

I would rather see the Z car adapt, sell, and stay in the production line than watch Nissan chase a ghost who's ship sailed a long time ago.

DLSTR

Adapt, innovate and succeed!

cautupwitdm

Yeah, if Nissan could get a 2.0L turbo to produce 355hp (even 330hp) that does sub 5.0 sec 0-60 and gets 23-31 mpg like the AMG CLA45 I'd be ok with moving away from the V6.

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cautupwitdm

Oh and I almost forgot... AND stay under 30K. If Nissan goal is to compete with the Toyoburu twins then they need to be closer to 26-27k range for the base model.

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Chan Chee Hoe

Infinit,already getting the 2.0 turbocharged engines from Mercedes Benz,Nissan can also get the A45 engine.

SPOHN

Just another opinionated article. My next car will be a AWD Porsche anyways.

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Redglare

+1, im sick of all these no-name speculators spewing out fake info

I'll only believe it when I see it, or the CEO / some japanese engineer from nissan comes out and says "Look people calm down, the mustang 5.0 is a speed bump in the Z35's wake"

6MT-Z34

The four cylinder might be better on gas but they might down size the power to keep the price down I think

Mike

I still think it will be a 2.4 turbo, called the 240Z and my speculation is 280-300 hp. But its pure speculation on my part.

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NISSAN: 75 280Z / 86 300ZX GLL /87 Sentra SE / 03 350Z / 23 Z
Porsche: 93 968 / 23 Macan GTS / 93 968