Im sure there was a good reason why Nissan put that huge brace in the rear of the Z coupe. Now when it is absent in the convert?

Are we looking at a serious weight gain to stiffen up the rear end?

 

that brace should remain, but not as prominent.

even so, there is no doubt the hard top will be lighter and stiffer, making it the better handling car. but the other is a convertable... but the when you see lemans type racing, youll see they are always hard tops, they dont pull out a convertable to race.

 

Perhaps the Roadster won't have the rear strut brace - it looks like it has a real trunk instead (Like the G35C) -- so a brace wouldn't be necessary. Just a hunch...

-Ethan

 

Why couldn't they had the brace higher, like up to the roof?

 

Because structurally it wouldn't be as effective as it is now basically straight across, if it was arched up by the roof line you might as well not have one.

 

I go to the track and get my but kicked by the hard tops, but I wouldn't trade open air driving for a few tenths. If you are like me, and drive on the stree 99% of the time and at the track 1% (even when the street becomes the track) if you like the idea of a convertible, you won't miss the faster times at the track.

 

You know the G35C has the exact same brace as the 350Z right? It is just visible on the 350Z because it is a hatchback and not visible on the G35 because it has an actual trunk.

Wander by the Infiniti dealer, open the trunk on the G35 and run your hand along the roof of the trunk inside and you will feel the brace jutting down.

Regards,
Kevin

 

so you think the brace will just be sort of tucked away in the trunk?
If thats maintains most of the rigidity, then Im all for it.

 

maybe its inverted.