Posted on AutoBlog.com:

I love the 350Z as much as the next girl. The exterior styling, horsepower and handling make it one fabulous ride for the money. Things just got better — rumors are circulating again that Nissan is planning on dropping the 4.5L V8 that powers the Infiniti M45 and FX45, among others, into the vehicle, for a total of 400 horsepower. That seems like an awful lot of power for a car that is already pretty pumped, so word is that a quattro-like drivetrain will be installed to put power to all four wheels. Now, the 350Z is already a chunky monkey with a V6 and simple RWD chassis. We wonder how feasible this scenario actually is considering the extra weight that would be involved.

If Nissan can trim the fat of the 350Z, could it be the Porsche-fighter the company is hoping for?


We can hope, can't we. Although I'd prefer a TT VQ G/Z.

 

Besides the other 28 450Z posts this is the first I’ve heard about it.

 

yeah i'd rather take the TT V6

 

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=108154

 

http://www.autocar.co.uk/news_article.asp?na_id=217791

Standard Nissan 350Z not serious enough for you? Well, if you’re looking for a faster, hairier 350Z Nissan may have the answer — the 450Z.

So far the more powerful coupe has not been confirmed for production, but rumours from our sources in Japan suggest that Nissan is seriously considering it.

The 450Z would swap the 350Z’s 3.5-litre V6 for a 4.5-litre V8, already in use in the Japanese market Nissan Fuga and several US-market Infinitis, and in a 450Z power could increase to over 400bhp. There’s also the possibility of a four-wheel drive transmission.

Should it be built, there’s a strong chance the car could make it to Europe, too. Although the V8 doesn’t currently comply with Euro4 emissions regulations, the Infiniti brand is coming to Europe in the next 18 months which means Nissan will have to alter the engine anyway.

 

Stop waiting for it and do the swap yourself! It bolts right up to the stock tranny I think. You just need to make some room with a sawzall.

 

^ oh is that all it takes?...money, money, and more money last time i checked...something not too many people have enough of

 

I'm trying to imagine how much heavier it would be and if it would really be THAT much faster... Of course AWD means you can hook but it also means $$$. I'm afraid that would put any other Z out of my price range. This might be what nissan was talking about for the next Z in 2009. But, it strikes me as interesting because a v8 wouldn't stay true to the Z's heritage.

Its okay, I guess. But as stated before I'd rather see a production 6 cylender tt on the next Z. Actually, I'd like to see a twin turbo inline 6...

 

If nissan decided to do this, when do you think it would be? I really hope they still keep it around the current price, as I bet that the v-8 doesn't cost that much more to produce (if any). If they make it AWD then I probably wont consider it. If they keep it RWD then I am going to stop modding my car and wait for the v8 roar. A 450z with all the bolt-ons would be a beast!

 

Well, if you look at the progression of Z engine sizes over 35 years: 2.4L, 2.6, 2.8, 3.0, 3.5 that's only a 1.1 liter increase. I don't see them making a single 1.0 liter jump from one generation to the next. Maybe the next one will be a 4.0 but even that is a stretch.

 

My guess is that we are in the midst of an automotive performance "peak". Given the intense environmental issues being presented, I think the quest for increasing amounts of horsepower is going to slow down. It will peak with the next gen of cars which are already in the development pipeline. (I guarantee Nissan already knows what the next Z will be and is already half way through the design process). A 400+ hp AWD drive car simply isn't a Z. Such a car will be produced in the Skyline, but my guess is that the Z will stay a 6 cylinder RWD car maybe with a tuned up version of the 4.0 in the pathfinder at most. I'm thinking 320hp or so, but no more. All these "speculations" are just that. I've read many many such articles over the years. The key phrase in these articles is

".....Nissan has not confirmed production....." That says it all.

 

I don't think Nissan would want the Z to bite into the sales of the GTR.

 

Out of curiosity, what are the weights and weight difference between the 3.5L V6 and the 4.5L V8?

 

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=108154

My friend sent me a link. I just like to share with all of you guys.

 

Doh! I could have had a V8!

 

Dupity dooo waaaaaa~!!

 

Good point!

I am sure if they were to make the Z and GT-R with the same drivetrain..no one would buy the GT-R.

 

what are you smoking? you mean if they made the Z and the GT-R same drivetrain no one would by the Z.

 

No....

No one would pay the price tag for the GT-R...When they could gut the same drivetrain in a Z for less.

So what are YOOOOUU smoking at 4:20?

 

they're consider a ghey 2.5 liter 4 banger for an entry level z.