IDx combined with the Z as the future of the Z?

Magic Bus

Posting some car sales stats for US & Canada only. 2014 model year is through September only.

Nissan Z: Year 2012-7,827, Year 2013-7,013, Year 2014-6,281
Nissan Juke: Year 2012-40,096, Year 2013-42,234, Year 2014-35,221

Scion FRS: Year 2012-12,617, Year 2013-20,179, Year 2014-12,516 FRS First sold in June of 2012
Scion TC: Year 2012-24,174, Year 2013-20,579, Year 2014-15,432

Corvette: Year 2012-14,382, Year 2013-17,615, Year 2014-26,979
Cayman: Year 2012-554, Year 2013-3,623, Year 2014-2,784 2012 was model change year

Looking at these numbers, Nissan has to choose a segment they wish to participate in. The IDX would fall more into the category of the Juke, FRS & TC, where the amount of cars sold were fairly high. And it appears that when the FRS came out, it did not really cut too badly into the TC sales. Nissan could make the IDX one step up the ladder from the Juke and cut into the competitors share without affecting Juke sales. Might be the safer option for Nissan.

The Camaro is selling 80,000+ a year and Mustang 72,000+ a year. I didn't put it in the chart, as Good Car Bad Car (where I got info) does not breakdown the different types of Camaro's or Mustangs. I'm guessing that about 80%+ of Camaros and Mustangs must be the 6 cylinder versions. The typical car buyer in this segment wants a 2 door, sporty appearance, reasonably priced car that seats four and has a trunk. They are not true sports car lover like many on this forum, so looking at a car spec sheet that shows 306 or 332 horsepower is good enough for them. So the 2 seat Z has a hard time competing in this market.

Because Cayman's sell so few, that only leaves the Corvette for the Z to steal sales from. So the question is, does Nissan want to come out with another platform to come close to the C7 or just keep putting more money/resources into the GTR and make sure it stays at the top of the sports car world?

Tick64

Well said Magic bus. It sounds like they want to start competing in the lower priced, higher volume market. I just don't think we'll have to wait until 2019/2020 to find out when as kamzeelover mentioned in the "Z35 Motor Theory" thread. Nissan is being careful not to release much information yet. I think they have a plan.

Nargrakhan

Possible.

The scenario could be Nissan has ALREADY made the decision of what's going to happen, and the info leaks are just measured steps to "acclimate the public" on what that choice is.

Basically that they're easing us customers into whatever expectations, hype, and/or disappointent they've set course to happen.

We'll know soon enough. The closer Nissan can get the new Z (or IDx) out by 2016 or 2017, the more likely the final decision was made in 2013 or 2014.

NoLaKrewe

When is the new Z set to release? I mean they can't keep the 370z around for that much longer huh

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DIGItonium

@UNKNOWN_370, let's drop the target prices on that list by $10k and it'll make a great engineering challenge for Nissan.

I see no one's mentioning the Miata sales. :P

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UNKNOWN_370

I just don't see Nissan building...
A RWD 250hp idx for $15,000
A 400HP Z35 for $25,000
A 400hp skyline for $35,000.

I can see a $80k GT-R though.

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DIGItonium

We're talking base prices here and whether Nissan decides to offer multiple engine options. Remember the Sentra NISMO? Maybe they can ditch that and focus on the rear wheel drive IDX instead of dumping 280HP to the front wheels of the Sentra. Okay, maybe $10k is too far down. Anyhow, I'd envision the IDX getting turbo engines from the Juke. The Juke curb weight is under 3000 lbs, so the IDX needs to aim close to FRS figures of about 2800 lbs. I also envision the new Z to get a 2.0L turbo 4cy option powering the Q50, but it may also retain the V6 engine as well. It should easily beat the 3,574 lbs minimum curb weight of the Q50. I'm not exactly sure about the hybrid options, but I've read Nissan is already offering it on some cars like the Pathfinder. There's no way we can trickle down hybrid techs from flagship cars. Plus I don't know what people would think of a 400 HP turbocharged 3cy either haha.

I'm not so sure about the GT-R especially if Nissan decides to opt for a hybrid powertain as Porsche, BMW, and Honda/Acura are doing.

IDX
Motor: Turbo 4cy 1.2L at 113 hp; Turbo 4cy 1.6 at 200 hp;
Curb Weight: < 2900 lbs
MPG: 33+ MPG
Base Price: $20k

Z35
Motor: N/A V6 3.7L at 332-350 hp; Turbo 4cy 2.0L at 280-355 hp;
Curb Weight: < 3300 lbs
MPG: 28+ MPG;
Base Price: $27k

GT-R
Motor: Turbo 3cy 1.5L Hybrid at 450-550 hp; Turbo V6 3.0L Hybrid at 500-800 hp
Curb Weight: < 3500 lbs
MPG: 70+ MPGe
Base Price: $80-95k

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UNKNOWN_370

As a RWD budget sports car. It would make no sense to make a 113hp car. Between 190hp - 220hp and 2900lbs should be standard. The Nismo version of that should be 250hp and weigh 2,800 lbs.
The Z needs a curb weight of 3,100 lbs max to give it a 240'ish feel. And a 3,000lb Nismo would be nice but I doubt it. I think that's wishful thinking. Finally the Z Hp minimum should be 350hp and 370hp NISMO. I'm hoping for 400HP AND 420HP NISMO. That may be wishful thinking as well? But that would make the most successful Z.

The GT-R RIGHT now is over 3,800 lbs, so we'll be fortunate if we make 3,600lbs on the next.gen.

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Favorite Quote.
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Nargrakhan

Gonna have to agree. My old Toyota Yaris had 106 horsepower and 103 torque. It was an economy hatchback.

kenchan

they increase price on flagships just for bragging rights for its owners.

Tick64

JungleZ?

UNKNOWN_370

Yeah, it smells like jungle. It's like the fvckin twilight zone with these posts. The FRS dominating the Z? They aren't even in the same market. I thought the FRS was trying to take civic si and gencoupe 2.0 customers? Most FRS owners wish they could've afforded the extra $120-180 a month payment for a Z.

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Favorite Quote.
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NoLaKrewe

That's why I am saving. Rather buy the car worthy of driving then suffice for crap. Can't wait until I buy my Z. About to pay off the Fj this month.

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mab864

I just don't get all the buzz around the frs/brz. I drove one before I bought the Z. Sure it handles OK, but it desperately needs a turbo. Those things would get boring quick. I guess they compete with V6 Mustangs? Frs dominating a Z...

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DIGItonium

I'd say the money spent on buying a brand new FRS/BRZ would get boring quick... ugh.

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