Nissan: 370Z News
05-30-2008, 09:48 AM
#521
Senior Moderator
Nissan 370Z to move upscale, leave room for entry-level front-drive sports car
May30
april2008/nissan-370z-image-ri.jpg
When the 2010 Nissan 370Z finally bows later this year or early in 2009, it will be skewed a little closer to the GT-R than the outgoing 350Z. Not only will this make the all-new car a more performance-minded vehicle, but it will also clear the way for a new entry-level Nissan-badged sports car.
While the overall shape of the 350Z will remain, the 370Z will essentially be an entirely new vehicle. The most obvious change will be the bump in displacement from 3.5L to 3.7L — a change that should result in at least 330 horsepower.
But under the surface, the 370Z will actually be riding on an all-new platform. Nissan will be swapping the 350Z's FM platform to a new E global platform that already underpins the majority of the Infiniti range.
To further bump the 370Z upscale, it's quite possible that Nissan engineers will equip the car with the same dual-clutch, seven-speed transmission found in the GT-R, according to Car and Driver.
These changes should clear the way for an entry-level sports car, but the new car might not be exactly what enthusiasts are looking for. While previous rumors had the car pegged as a rear-wheel drive 240SX replacement, Nissan officials have revealed to Car and Driver that they are actually eying a front-wheel drive model. Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice president in charge of product planning and strategy, says the new model will do battle with the likes of the Mazda MX-5, Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice, but we have a hard time believing a front-driver will be able to keep up with those rear-drive vehicles.
May30
april2008/nissan-370z-image-ri.jpg
When the 2010 Nissan 370Z finally bows later this year or early in 2009, it will be skewed a little closer to the GT-R than the outgoing 350Z. Not only will this make the all-new car a more performance-minded vehicle, but it will also clear the way for a new entry-level Nissan-badged sports car.
While the overall shape of the 350Z will remain, the 370Z will essentially be an entirely new vehicle. The most obvious change will be the bump in displacement from 3.5L to 3.7L — a change that should result in at least 330 horsepower.
But under the surface, the 370Z will actually be riding on an all-new platform. Nissan will be swapping the 350Z's FM platform to a new E global platform that already underpins the majority of the Infiniti range.
To further bump the 370Z upscale, it's quite possible that Nissan engineers will equip the car with the same dual-clutch, seven-speed transmission found in the GT-R, according to Car and Driver.
These changes should clear the way for an entry-level sports car, but the new car might not be exactly what enthusiasts are looking for. While previous rumors had the car pegged as a rear-wheel drive 240SX replacement, Nissan officials have revealed to Car and Driver that they are actually eying a front-wheel drive model. Larry Dominique, Nissan North America vice president in charge of product planning and strategy, says the new model will do battle with the likes of the Mazda MX-5, Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice, but we have a hard time believing a front-driver will be able to keep up with those rear-drive vehicles.
Horrible idea IMO. They have Infiniti for upscale and nobody wants FWD sports cars. Isn't that was the Altima coupe is for?. Going away from what works FTL.
05-30-2008, 10:07 AM
#524
Senior Moderator
Nissan Azeal!?!?
05-31-2008, 07:09 AM
#529
, the rumor is that the new entry level coupe might be FWD.
05-31-2008, 08:40 AM
#530
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by Mokos23
the front just looks like the Rogue. maybe the Sentra coupe?
05-31-2008, 03:25 PM
#532
Originally Posted by F23A4
That is pretty much what it is, not unlike the B14 200SX being a 95-99 Sentra coupe. IMHO, I can picture a low production C-platform based 250SX (and 250SX Spec V variant) hitting showrooms before long, competing with the Si coupe and tC.
05-31-2008, 03:53 PM
#533
I'm eager to see this 370. The current Z with the HR engine is no slouch at all, but a little on the unrefined side for how much they want for the higher trim models, and now that they've got some actual competition in the segment again, they need to step it up a bit. The fact that this new Z is rumored to to get a larger, more powerful engine, yet be smaller and lighter than the current model cant help but grab your attention a little bit. 
Last edited by Brandon24pdx; 05-31-2008 at 03:56 PM.
05-31-2008, 04:00 PM
#534
What Would Don Draper Do?
i wonder if the 4cyl genesis coupe had any influence on an entry level nissan coupe.
the line between nissan and infiniti seems to blur more and more though.
the line between nissan and infiniti seems to blur more and more though.
06-01-2008, 12:27 AM
#536
Originally Posted by mikeschicagoRL
The side mirrors have a camel toe as well...
And the roofline is a clone of the GTR....except...uglier?
I'll reserve judgement till I see a half decent pics, looks like poo so far though.
Last edited by FiveLiterCheater; 06-01-2008 at 12:30 AM.
06-01-2008, 12:58 AM
#537
I shoot people
Originally Posted by JJaber06
Fuck me...it has the same tumor growing out of the headlights as the fugly Maxima....
The side mirrors have a camel toe as well...
And the roofline is a clone of the GTR....except...uglier?
I'll reserve judgement till I see a half decent pics, looks like poo so far though.
The side mirrors have a camel toe as well...
And the roofline is a clone of the GTR....except...uglier?
I'll reserve judgement till I see a half decent pics, looks like poo so far though.
you'll "reserve judgement"? what about the parts where you said:
"Fuck me...it has the same tumor growing out of the headlights as the fugly Maxima....
The side mirrors have a camel toe as well...
And the roofline is a clone of the GTR....except...uglier?"
06-01-2008, 12:04 PM
#539
Originally Posted by charliemike
Rather have this
06-01-2008, 12:17 PM
#540
Race Director
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Originally Posted by JJaber06
I should have said final judgement...
I just noticed the fangs in the front grille....wtf is going on.
I just noticed the fangs in the front grille....wtf is going on.
06-01-2008, 06:04 PM
#541
Changin bulbs since '73
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i think the execution of the headlights on the Z looks a lot better than the ones on the new Maxima. This car looks cool. I dig the roof line and bulge of the rear wheels!!
06-01-2008, 07:37 PM
#543
Fahrvergnügen'd
I think auto manufacturers need to take step back and start tuning their cars for regular fuel and not premium as gas approaches $4.50 in many places for premium unleaded.
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
06-01-2008, 08:04 PM
#544
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I think auto manufacturers need to take step back and start tuning their cars for regular fuel and not premium as gas approaches $4.50 in many places for premium unleaded.
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
I know my parents have never once put anything besides 87 gas from the shitty station in their bmw's and they both have close to 100k miles and never had an engine problem (not even slight). The only noticeable difference is that it takes an extra 3 turnovers for the engine to retard timing before it fires up.
06-01-2008, 09:14 PM
#546
Fahrvergnügen'd
Originally Posted by Python2121
If it isn't turbo go ahead and put regular in and you will get marginally worse power. there is a top gear where they dyno an STI on different grades of gas and the difference between prem and regular is about 25hp (turbos notice the octane a whole lot more).
I know my parents have never once put anything besides 87 gas from the shitty station in their bmw's and they both have close to 100k miles and never had an engine problem (not even slight). The only noticeable difference is that it takes an extra 3 turnovers for the engine to retard timing before it fires up.
I know my parents have never once put anything besides 87 gas from the shitty station in their bmw's and they both have close to 100k miles and never had an engine problem (not even slight). The only noticeable difference is that it takes an extra 3 turnovers for the engine to retard timing before it fires up.
06-02-2008, 12:26 PM
#547
Originally Posted by Loseit
i think the execution of the headlights on the Z looks a lot better than the ones on the new Maxima. This car looks cool. I dig the roof line and bulge of the rear wheels!!
06-02-2008, 01:12 PM
#549
I shoot people
Originally Posted by charliemike
I think auto manufacturers need to take step back and start tuning their cars for regular fuel and not premium as gas approaches $4.50 in many places for premium unleaded.
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
06-02-2008, 05:47 PM
#551
Originally Posted by Brandon24pdx
This one's pretty new I think. That's looking pretty bossin.
The roofline does look better in this pic though...still...whats up with the fangs...
06-02-2008, 05:56 PM
#552
I know, there was no need for the fangs.
06-02-2008, 07:07 PM
#553
Originally Posted by charliemike
I think auto manufacturers need to take step back and start tuning their cars for regular fuel and not premium as gas approaches $4.50 in many places for premium unleaded.
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
I'd take 20hp less to save about $.20/gal
06-26-2008, 06:29 PM
#554
06-26-2008, 09:04 PM
#555
Looks like the Maxima's headlights are becoming the Nissan trademark soon. Sort of like how Infiniti has the L shaped headlights.
06-26-2008, 11:00 PM
#556
The sizzle in the Steak
^^ Don't care for em.
06-26-2008, 11:54 PM
#558
06-27-2008, 05:14 AM
#559
Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
why do you have a fast for your avatar instead of a mini... is there something you're not telling us? 
06-27-2008, 08:50 AM
#560
