So I was browsing through the new car buyer guides in car and driver and motor trend, and it looks as if we are being flooded with horsepower.

Not only is the hp becoming bigger, but there are ranges of power within the same line. If an S4 isn't good enough for you, buy an RS4.

Even the new IS350 runs a 13.7@104, which is fairly fast, faster then my Z stock.

Now for under 100,000 you can buy a car which by every measure except nameplate is a supercar.


If Nissan wants to continue to be the HP leader in it's class, the next G is going to need 310+ hp

An even more tweaked VQ?

 

True that most cars are coming out with bigger and badder #s for horsepower.

However, not all of them are as good of a deal as the Z. The Z is a great compromise of looks, horsepower, strong powerband with plenty of torque, good handling, and low price.

Tons of cars can beat the Z at the drag strip, but they won't necessarily have all of the above.

A great example is the S2000, which has decent peak horsepower but low torque below 6000rpm.

Of course we would all love it if the next Z's and G's would come out with competetive HP numbers. However, I would be disappointed if they increased the price dramatically as they did with the Maxima.

The 03+ Altima became the "new" 99 - 02 Maxima, whereas the 03+ Maxima became more on par with BMW or Audi. The older Altimas were completely unimpressive, to say the least.

 

The hp trend is interesting, and I’m not sure what are the limits. The Oil Embargo of 1976 (?) sent big block Chevy owners searching for 4-door 4-bangers which got 30 miles to the gallon. Will $3.00/gallon gasoline do the same. Manufactures of big hp cars (such as the Dodge Charger) got clobbered by new emissions standards. New technology has allowed car makers to push 3.5 liter engines to 287 hp.

Where will the quest for hp end? Will it end?

 

FYI...the numbers on the IS350 are all over the place. R&T clocked it at 6 seconds, with a mid 14 quarter mile in the upper 90 mph range. I'll post a link to my post specifically geared to the is350 post.

https://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139338&page=4 post #68

 

While I'm happy with the performance of my Z, for a V6, I can't say the same for the gas milage. I avg. about 22.5. I got that with my 2000 Ls1 Trans Am and it was heavier and faster. I just got the new issue of Motor Trend yesterday and they did their first road test on the new Z06 Corvette. 427 ci pushrod V8, 505 hp, 0-60 in 3.6 sec., mid 11 sec. quarter mile, and 198 mph top speed. Fuel usage 19/26

 

Its all in the gearing. Tall top gear will give you good gas mileage if the engine revs in the range for max efficiency.

 

Yep, the TA ran at 1500 RPM at 65 mph and the Z is at 2500. I don't remember what gears the new Z06 is running, but they can't be too tall and still run sub 4 sec. 0-60.

 

Last issue of road and track they ran the IS350 at 14.5@98.6

the car has 306bhp, but weights 3800lbs

 

The point I was trying to make was, if GM can sell a 427 ci., 505 hp low tech V8 you would think that Nissan could get better gas mileage out of a 287 hp, high tech V6 a little more than half the size.

 

The 350z is a bargain of a car. If you want to spend $30k on a car that out performs the 350z, then go buy a used C5 Vette. I believe Nissan's goal with releasing the 350z was to release a mildly priced sports car that packed a punch - I believe thats exactly what they accomplished with the Z.