Next-Gen Nissan Z Could Move Down Market to Compete With FR-S
Nissan is looking to go back to its roots for the next-generation Z sports car.
In an interview with Autoblog, Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura revealed that the company is looking at the original 240Z as inspiration for the next-generation Z, meaning the sports car could move down market now that the IDx is officially dead.
Nakamura believes that the Z can fill the role of the IDx as a competitor to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, making it likely that Nissan could be lowering the price point for the Z. “We are studying a couple of different concept,” Nakamura said in the interview. “Because the sports car market is becoming smaller globally. We would like to do something, I personally think, is more [in the] original concept of Z, which is … more practical and appealing to younger customers.”
SEE ALSO: 2016 Nissan 370Z Review
The original 240Z came in 1969 and subsequent models have seen the nameplate evolve and grow in numerical value. Does that mean that the next Z will be a larger number? Not quite. “We are questioning ourselves in repeating the 350, 370. We don’t want to create 390Z, right?”
The current Nissan 370Z is six years old, but it appears that Nissan is still in the early stages of planning for its next-generation Z, so don’t expect a replacement within the next couple of years.
[Source: Autoblog]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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they should do like toyota with the IS, make different sub-models... make a 240Z and a 370Z.. and of course they have a pattern of the name implying the engine size, but BMW used to as well(with a few exceptions), now 325/328/330/335 doesn't indicate displacement, as almost all have a 3.0 under the hood.
Make sure it is not a sporty 2+2 coupe, but a low slung 2-seat berlinetta like the later 300ZX. It cannot be any taller than 49". Make it lightweight, ~1000 kilos. Give it at least 200HP, so no lower than Renault's 1.6 liter TCe 200 in there