When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Yup... Any car manufactured in Japan that does not provide space for a rear seat faces a significant tax. So... The Z's exported to the USA have that rear compartment(s) while Japanese models allow for a rear seat in the same space to spare the buyer paying a significant penalty. Actually, the rear space in the Z is slightly more generous that the Porsche's "rear seats."
Note: Rear seats are in quotes because they are hardly realistically-sized rears seats.
Have any of you been under your car...the space is being used...and if the japan spec does have back seats...then it's been stretched maybe using the g35 chassis...cause the fuel tank is just behind the chassis wall and if the seats were that high...it would only fit people 4 ft and shorter...and they're chest would be blocking your rear view...not their heads
If I remember right, someone posted pictures awhile back showing that when you pull up the carpet there are bolt holes for additional seats.. So who knows...
You are not seeing "ghosts." I also saw this configuration. It was a few years ago when I bought my 2003 Z. The large plastic compartment and its panels behind the front seats is replaced with child-sized rear "booster-like" seats that resemble what you see in the Porsche 911. These rear seats are obviously not meant for adults, but would accomodate a couple of kids. I cannot say if this was a prototype or "mock-up."
You are not seeing "ghosts." I also saw this configuration. It was a few years ago when I bought my 2003 Z. The large plastic compartment and its panels behind the front seats is replaced with child-sized rear "booster-like" seats that resemble what you see in the Porsche 911. These rear seats are obviously not meant for adults, but would accomodate a couple of kids. I cannot say if this was a prototype or "mock-up."
--Spike
I would really like to see a picture of this if it is indeed true. My other car is a FD RX-7, the JDM version of the car comes with a similar setup as you are describing that deletes the rear storage bins for child sized seats.