Road and Track next gen Z article
04-13-2007, 05:08 PM
#22
That was a bad photoshop done by Road & Track magazine.. I little doubt it will look anything like that at all. If Anything, It will probably have some straighter edges and more pronounced wheel wells/Fenders. I would say Nissan's Design DNA calls for flatter sides, taller trunk (Perhaps stepped a bit) and even crisper front end lines around the lights. I figure they will square up the front grill area a bit too. Expect GT-R Proto and GT-R Ques. (If I had to guess..)
04-14-2007, 11:35 AM
#24
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Originally Posted by sq40
I Do agree, a 3K Curb Weight would be ideal, but
The Weight reduction would have to come from more expensive materials, more aluminum and probably some carbon fiber too. Weight reduction isn't cheap for a mass-produced vehicle that must meet so many safety requirements. The other option is to cut back on features like a spare tire, stereo, AC, ABS, LSD, ETC... If they had a real "Track" Edition with just the Bare car, it would probably sell like hot-cakes.
The Weight reduction would have to come from more expensive materials, more aluminum and probably some carbon fiber too. Weight reduction isn't cheap for a mass-produced vehicle that must meet so many safety requirements. The other option is to cut back on features like a spare tire, stereo, AC, ABS, LSD, ETC... If they had a real "Track" Edition with just the Bare car, it would probably sell like hot-cakes.
You have to start with a basis that's designed for a sports car, not big sedans or SUV's. Reducing weight as an afterthought is what gets REALLY expensive (e.g. replacing parts w/ carbon fiber).
04-14-2007, 06:10 PM
#27
Originally Posted by Jspeed
Actually, if you start with the right platform, it's possible to have a 3000-lb. sports car without using exotic materials and have all the standard safety and convenience features. Just look at the Porsche Cayman, which is built on a conventional steel frame. Sure, it uses some aluminum bits and pieces (suspension, subframe), but so does the Z. A Cayman weighs in at 2866 lb, and the S is about 100 lbs heavier. To include another data point, the Z4 coupe weighs ~3100 lbs.
You have to start with a basis that's designed for a sports car, not big sedans or SUV's. Reducing weight as an afterthought is what gets REALLY expensive (e.g. replacing parts w/ carbon fiber).
You have to start with a basis that's designed for a sports car, not big sedans or SUV's. Reducing weight as an afterthought is what gets REALLY expensive (e.g. replacing parts w/ carbon fiber).
04-14-2007, 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by sq40
The Cayman's Base Price is a whopping $22,000 More than the 350Z! If you really wanted to compare apples to apples you must understand that to meet the $27K price point for the Z, A lot of comprimises have to be made, from light weight materials all the way through to using common parts from the existing catalog of Nissan items. If the Z were Purpose Built to the Point of the Cayman, it could well exceed $45,000.
*hint: this was in the news recently
04-14-2007, 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Jspeed
Do you know how much Porsche makes on each car?
*hint: this was in the news recently
*hint: this was in the news recently
04-14-2007, 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by sential
what is an avg. of $28k?
That was the figure for 2005. Porsche argued that part of its profit came from non-operating activities, but it's still safe to estimate the per vehicle profit to be $10k to 20k. That makes the Cayman more like a $30-40k car. The consumers knew they were being screwed when Porsche priced the coupe HIGHER than the convertible. Unless Nissan is raping its customers like Porsche is, the actual cost to produce a Cayman is actually not that much higher than that of a Z.
Just to make sq40 happy, the RX-8 is in the same price range as the Z and weighs about 3000 lb. The rotary is about 100 lbs lighter than the VQ*, but the RX8 also has rear seats and rear doors.
What's the point of all this? Yes Nissan, you can do it! Please make us a 3000-lb. Z.
* The RX8's rotary weighs 268 lbs according to Racing Beat. The VQ35 weighs 313 lbs w/o accessories, and I estimate the accessories to add another 50 lbs.
04-17-2007, 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Hypnoz
Sorry buddy, for a sports car it is pretty damn heavy.
If you want a sports car that weighs less then 3k pounds for under 30k go get yourself a Miata.
04-17-2007, 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Gooey
everyone complainin about the Z's wait is just an ignorant fast n furious lover
What's with the rediculous generalities? Everyone with a brain knows weight is an enemy of performance, and 3300lb-3500lb IS a heavy sports car.
04-17-2007, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Gooey
Show me a car in its category that weighs less then 3k pounds. Vettes and NSX's do not count. They are in a total different category of cars. You're payin 30k for a nissan 2 door coupe, if you decide to spend 70+k on a the Z then you have a right to ask Nissan to make the entire plattform out of Aluminium. Even the new M3 is 3500+lbs.
If you want a sports car that weighs less then 3k pounds for under 30k go get yourself a Miata.
If you want a sports car that weighs less then 3k pounds for under 30k go get yourself a Miata.
Sky Redline (and it's pontiac counterpart), RX-8 are right at 3000lb. The M3 is a design based off of a luxury car. Obviously you do not understand weight or sports cars.
04-18-2007, 04:32 AM
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RX-8 makes what 238hp? The sky redline is in the same category as a miata. They are classified in a different class of cars.
The only contender in size, power, and price to a Z is honestly a Mustang GT and you know thats not a featherweight contender. You can compare the rx8 to the Z also but again the lack of power on the rx-8 why bother?
Obviously you do not know how to compare classes of sports cars.
Go weight an 06 Z or an 07 Z on the same scale as previous models. They did not gain weight. Just live with it and be happy wiht the car you drive. Its still the best bang for the buck sports car under 30k
The only contender in size, power, and price to a Z is honestly a Mustang GT and you know thats not a featherweight contender. You can compare the rx8 to the Z also but again the lack of power on the rx-8 why bother?
Obviously you do not know how to compare classes of sports cars.
Go weight an 06 Z or an 07 Z on the same scale as previous models. They did not gain weight. Just live with it and be happy wiht the car you drive. Its still the best bang for the buck sports car under 30k