So when will the new Z receive its first MAJOR revision. I suppose you could consider the addition of the convertible in '04 the first, but when does the Z get Nissan's new 4.0 Liter V6? The Xterra and Pathfinder get the new engine for '05. Will the Z follow in their footsteps? How about an Endurance 5.6L V8 in the Z? I don't think the Z is going away again any time soon...

 

I would imagine a 400Z isn't too far off. Perhaps 2007 when the new skyline arrives. They'll probably do that, before they do a major exterior re-vamp.

 

I have a '03 Pathfinder and am not impressed with what I've seen of the new '05. Granted they're not at dealerships yet, but I don't care for their looks, they're too big, and despite a new 4.0L engine, they only gain 10HP and 5ft/lbs. Pretty weak. Sort of like the new 4Runner. Hopefully when the 4.0L makes its way into the Z it'll post some more impressive HP/TQ gains.

 

The Z has always been a 6-cyl. No way will it ever add a few cyls just to make power. Id guess a TT version again however.

 

NSX will be released in 8cylinder soon...

 

Supra is also comming out with 8cyl, which they are already racing. Never say never.

 

The 4.0L that the new Pathfinder and XTerra use are VQ's, so they're V6's. Currently Nissan has two V8 offerings, the 4.5L used in the FX, M, and Q, and the 5.6L used in the Armada, Titan, and Q56.

 

Where's this info on the Supra, Toyota has already said once that project was canceled.

 

unless they can keep the weight of the bigger engine down, otherwise the frontend will be too heavy and ruin the great weight distribution on the Z......

 

As long as its kept aft of the front axle, the weight distribution shouldn't be too much of an issue. Provided the new motor isn't HUNDREDS of pounds heavier, that is. Maybe they'll just fatten up the gas tank reserve another few gallons. I knew there was a reason 5 gallons of gas seem to permanently reside in the tank

 

rumor is that the 911 will use a v8 in the future too.

 

Next thing you know, Honda will be releasing a 3.4 Liter V8. 325HP with 165 lb/ft...

 

next gen NSX has been postponed

 

Correction: The Z started out as a 4 cyliner. I had a 76 special model pickup that had the same engine.

 

Ghosn (the top dog at Nissan), often refers to the Z as the soul of Nissan . . . so, no the Z will be with us for quite some time.

Even if it did go away, the Z is a 'legacy vehicle.' It has a long and rich history that speaks to consumers. Meaning, any time it goes away, you can count on a resurrection at some point.

That same reasoning makes me believe an RX-7 is an inevitable vehicle in the not too distant future. Mazda will need other rotary engine cars to gain economies of scale and maximize profit.

 

why does everyone think "once a 6, always a 6" ???

i would have no problem with a v8, as long as it was DOHC and JDM engineered

 

V8s are heavy, without much money into the rest of the design, you typicly end up with poor weight distrobution. at 30,000$ the Z has all the power it needs. it certainly doesnt need a 5.6l.

even a 4l might be a bit large, high revs will be more and more difficult with the longer stroke.

 

Come on guys, they can't give a Z a bigger engine than a Mustang. Ford would have to try to buy Nissan then because then people can't even (wrongly) think that the Mustangs are fast.

One thing people have never mentioned is the fact that Nissan could put in some different cams, rods, and raise the rev limit to around 8,000 RPM. I bet that would easily net 320 HP at least.

 

huh?

 

Um, which Z was that, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 240z came out in '69 with a 2400cc inline six-cylinder.

The test mules for what became the 350z were 4 cylinder 240SX-based, but they decided they needed to stay with a 6-cylinder motor.

I could see a G45 before I imagine a V8 in the Z, and I'd rather see Nissan engineers shave more weight before going after more power.