Nissan 450Z in the works???
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Nissan 450Z in the works???
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto...wmodels/20946/
Nissan reportedly has a solution for the midlife crisis set to strike the current 350Z sports car, launched three years ago: the 450Z.
The added hundred on the name plate would come courtesy of swapping the standard Z’s 3.5-liter V6 mill for Nissan’s corporate 4.5-liter V8 that powers several Infinitis in the U.S. market, such as the M45 and Q45 sedans and the FX45 SUV.
In Z guise, however, that unit could be tuned for upwards of 400hp, bringing the Z into Corvette and Porsche territory performance-wise.
So far the uber Z remains a rumor, but according to British magazine Autocar, Nissan “seriously considering” building it.
The added hundred on the name plate would come courtesy of swapping the standard Z’s 3.5-liter V6 mill for Nissan’s corporate 4.5-liter V8 that powers several Infinitis in the U.S. market, such as the M45 and Q45 sedans and the FX45 SUV.
In Z guise, however, that unit could be tuned for upwards of 400hp, bringing the Z into Corvette and Porsche territory performance-wise.
So far the uber Z remains a rumor, but according to British magazine Autocar, Nissan “seriously considering” building it.
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yeah this story was all over atleast 5 different online car news sources last week.
im for it. unless theres something to the 3.7 rumour going into the 2007 G35 and eventually TT in the GT-R and some FI configuratrion on the Z
the only problem with the 450Z is it will no longer be a sub 30K car. (i actually would like to see this happen) for instance no $27kish base model.
this changes the dynamic of what the car currently is. but to counter act this there is also a rumour of a 2.5 entry level Z in the works if this happens. but as i said all rumours
but a 45K + cayman fighter sounds perfect to me. and if the GT-R is too far north of 70K i know what im doin
im for it. unless theres something to the 3.7 rumour going into the 2007 G35 and eventually TT in the GT-R and some FI configuratrion on the Z
the only problem with the 450Z is it will no longer be a sub 30K car. (i actually would like to see this happen) for instance no $27kish base model.
this changes the dynamic of what the car currently is. but to counter act this there is also a rumour of a 2.5 entry level Z in the works if this happens. but as i said all rumours
but a 45K + cayman fighter sounds perfect to me. and if the GT-R is too far north of 70K i know what im doin
Last edited by **; Dec 9, 2005 at 08:59 PM.
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From: Vicenza, Italy
The problem with putting a V8 in the Z and charging 40k for it is the huge drop in sales that will result. I don't believe enough people would buy the car anymore to make it worth it for Nissan. Remember why they stopped selling the 300zx, Supra, and RX7? They were too much money and didn't sell well enough. One of the major selling points for the 350z when it was new was it's affordability. I think using the 4L V6 would be a much better choice personally.
if they made the 450z while the 350z was still being sold... I would trade my car in right away and if I couldn't afford the 450z I would just move on to a different car. I just wouldn't want to drive the "slow Z". One thing I like about the 350z over mustang, lancer, imprezza, etc is that all Z's are pretty much the same speed stock and even though the "slow" Z would be fast enough for me it would really hurt the 350's image.
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It does seem possible especially the way Nissan/Infiniti platform share and also engine share. The big problem I see is the Z has always been about being affordable. There is no way Nissan can produce a 450Z for under 45K imo. Look what happened to the 300ZX TT in 1996. Way overpriced and that led to its demise.
i agree completely about the demise of the supra, rx-7, and 300zx tt.
but the way i see it a 450z could actually make sense. if the new gtr ends up
priced near 70K+ and the current 350z remains nissan will end up with a large
window open in terms of $$ and performance between the two. a 450z could
easily address that.
the 350z would be entry level... 450z mid range... and the gtr would be the
flagship at the top-end of the market. i would spend $45K+ for a 450z easy
w/o a thought. i don't think people will look at the 350z as being the "slow"
Z neccessarily. just look at BMW... with the 2.5 and 3.0 liter engines. they
both power the 3-series... 325 and 330. both sell well.
if done right i think it could work. for example offer it only as a coupe in lower
production run. having three cars priced from 28K - 70K+ would definitely let
nissan compete in each market segment. it would also bolster nissan's clout
as an even more serious sports car manufacturer.
but the way i see it a 450z could actually make sense. if the new gtr ends up
priced near 70K+ and the current 350z remains nissan will end up with a large
window open in terms of $$ and performance between the two. a 450z could
easily address that.
the 350z would be entry level... 450z mid range... and the gtr would be the
flagship at the top-end of the market. i would spend $45K+ for a 450z easy
w/o a thought. i don't think people will look at the 350z as being the "slow"
Z neccessarily. just look at BMW... with the 2.5 and 3.0 liter engines. they
both power the 3-series... 325 and 330. both sell well.
if done right i think it could work. for example offer it only as a coupe in lower
production run. having three cars priced from 28K - 70K+ would definitely let
nissan compete in each market segment. it would also bolster nissan's clout
as an even more serious sports car manufacturer.
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From: Austin, TX
It's funny how the rumors come full circle...JmanZ, the founder of this site, often mentioned an inside source at Nissan Japan that told him about a V8 test mule Z. Of course that was back in 2002 when we were dying for any piece of info. Raceboy should remember those days well.
Considering Nissan's statement that they were going after Porsche even more with the next Z, this would make sense as a way to get there. Although, i'd rather have an overall lighter car.
D
Considering Nissan's statement that they were going after Porsche even more with the next Z, this would make sense as a way to get there. Although, i'd rather have an overall lighter car.
D
If the car looks the same i wouldnt even think about it. There's really no point considering the amount you would lose on your current Z for the trade-in after depreciationg combined with that additional 10k. You could easily build up a monster engine that would surpase the output of just a bone stock v8. I'd be down for a new looking Z already though and by new i dont mean a nismo body kit modified slightly. A whole new look otherwise this won't fly well for Nissan the Z has already become somewhat common if they are trying to make it more exclusive they need a whole new shell. And please god do not make a 20-25k model.
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I dont see the point in this because the Z is not meant to be a muscle car. I really dont think that squeezing a v8 in there would have any positive affects on the Z's handling.
If they want to make a more powerful Z i think they should offer a TT Z, starting at around 35k. that way the Z could compete better with more powerful cars like the vette but still have the same great handling.
If they want to make a more powerful Z i think they should offer a TT Z, starting at around 35k. that way the Z could compete better with more powerful cars like the vette but still have the same great handling.
