Nissan VP of product planning drops hints of possible next Z and iDX?
 

quoted from an interview between autoguide and Nissan VP of Product Planning, Pierre Loing:

Previous to that, Loing was less than open on the brand’s plans for its next-generation of sports cars, though he did provide some hints at the future. He described the two opposing sports car formulas, the first of being a car with a big engine and equally big horsepower ratings. This concept he referred to as “US centric,” commenting that such a car, “becomes almost unsellable in Europe and China because of CO2.” He even admitted that the appeal of such cars is dwindling in the US saying that, “it still sells in the US, but not in as big of numbers as it used to in the early 2000s.”

Commenting that the big horsepower, big engine philosophy is, “the current recipe of Z,” the alternative is a smaller vehicle with a lower displacement engine utilizing turbocharging. “We are still studying between those two,” said Loing, though it would appear the decision for the latter has already been made.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...duct-boss.html

No shock at all. Smaller displacement motors are in vogue to stay. Coupled with a light-weight chassis the drive can be very very good. Remember the first Z was anything but large and powerful. I welcome what Nissan can do. Should be interesting and fun to see what the future Z holds.

Well I jumped ship last week. Traded in my '13 Z for a '14 Hyundai 3.8 Ultimate. Loved driving the Z in perfect weather, on cool(er) days, with no traffic. It was the perfect car for that. here in, south florida, with the traffic, the horrible traffic, heat and every dude in a Stang, Camaro, civic revving at you to race. The Z was just so high strung. Maybe in two years, with a new Z platform ill get back into one.

2016 240Z here we come!

Lightweight + turbo would make me consider upgrading my Z

If it's another V6 with similar power and MPG there is no real reason to upgrade for me

Exactly, needs to be a +300hp 4 banger turbo, simliar to what the 2015 Mustang Ecoboost is doing, with comparable numbers for me to look. If this happens I would make the swap.

lighter and twin charge would be kinda fun in a different way. also needs to look good. not like that idx or watever.

I believe Nissan will be going back to the roots of the Z with the next platform.
That is,if they are smart.The large displacement guys,weight?Who cares,add more
HP...will be disappointed.
Lets get back to a sports car.Light,great power to weight ratio.
The kicker will be an acceptable price.A new 370 loaded can cost 50k.
Rediculous.
Lightness with safety costs money.The use of carbon fiber and other composite
materials plus aluminum is needed.For sure,a turbo 4 is the answer.
Many years ago,Colin Chapman started Lotus with the light car with
the right HP.I've got a 71'Lotus Europa with a tweaked twin cam 4 that puts out
about 180hp.The total car weight is around 1,400 lbs.It would never pass today's safety
standards.Its sure not the car to let a teenager drive with the massive understeer.
But it goes...
Possibly along with a lighter package,Nissan may offer a innovation that nobody else
has.
I'd be interested.

For me, it has to make 400hp with either a twin scroll turbo or twin turbo that is lighter than the current car for me to even consider selling my car for it.

oh yah, and smaller side mirrors and improved visibility is also required...

My guess is that the next Z will be more of the same.

Slightly larger engine and a lighter car due to the use of more aluminum. I still don't see Nissan introducing a turbo due to costs and warranty issues, but maybe someday they'll offer it with the Nismo Z. Nissan is still very conscience of keeping the Z affordable especially after getting priced out of the market with the 300ZX. Thus, I don't think we'll see a turbo for a while.

considering the Q50's are running basically the same engine, that could be....

you also have to consider the fact that Nissan has went ahead with the production of the iDX, but as has been quoted by one of their higher ups before, they currently don't have a platform that would work with the iDX so there is a very good possibility that they are developing a new chassis structure to work with the iDX and with that being said i can definitely see them using that same chassis the iDX would be using in the next Z, which while keeping the weight down, they could stick with a larger engine in the Z and still make it affordable due to platform sharing between the 2 models and do a 4 cylinder turbo in the iDX while they are at it. This is all of course just theoretical, but i wouldnt bet against Nissan doing something along those lines if they had the chance

damn.... you have this all figured out! :D

I can see nissan making the Z share the same platform with the Q50 before sharing it with the iDX just because the last two generations of Zs shared the same platform with the G35 and G37.