Got this out of Motor Trend Mag. Sept. issue

 

lol i like how that Z is partially covered up to disquise it, like you cant tell what car it is

 

Sorry should have rotated pic. also I hope this is not a repost

 

The pic is.

 

motortrend is out of the loop...this was so last month. and so 100% based on random speculation.

 

that z was shortened if i recall

 

repost.

 

well i read the magazine they said it may come out later like 2011 because its going to get some facelift. 3.7 liter engine might be the same body for 2009

 

they do this so you cant see the full model before they want you to. obviously you're going to know what car it is, but you can't see the full body and the little things

 

I thought the idea was that you can't see what car it's GOING TO BE, i.e., the GTR lapping the 'ring as a G35 coupe w/a big 'ol ridiculous looking schnoz of a front air dam on it, w/the same kind of speculation as to whether it was the new G35, 37 or 38, or just a disguised GTR. Turned out it was the latter.

For EARLY testing especially, I think if I were NNA, I'd go out and buy a Ford sedan, chop and weld the body to the approx. dimensions and wt. I wanted, and do my road testing in that disguise. I have to wonder if they really think they're fooling anyone w/stuff like zebra stripes and duct tape on prototypes, or if they're trying to get caught to guage public reaction to various ideas they're working on.

 

I'm not buying this speculation...

.

 

I guess it is slowly but surly time for redesign but it is good for us b/c it keeps the value of our Z's higher.

 

You mean the same bodystyle until 2011 stuff?

 

yes they try to hide lines, but i think they like the free publicity. It gets the word out and creates a buzz in the automotive community. They surely arent going to allow photographers around for photoshoots, but they know the photographers are out there. thats what they do for a living.

 

the headlights are other components dont even fit properly on the car with that engine, there is definitely gonna be an updated look to some degree; not a FULL redesign, but new evolved panels are a must with this setup coming out

 

^ video link not working

 

I remember reading a speculation somewhere that this is a test mule body for an upcoming silvia replacement. I'm guessing they are just testing the motor with this shell.

 

There you go.

 

Needs time for a facelift?

Lol, the car has been out for going on 6 model years and they're suggesting another 3+ needed to do a facelift. It's already overdue for one. I doubt that is right since I don't think Nissan would sit around for the last 5 years and still require another 3+ to do a redesign. If they have shame on them.

 

I think Nissan knows it needs a facelift/re-do earlier than that.

TOKYO -- Japanese automaker Nissan said Tuesday its April-June quarter profit fell 16 percent because of higher material costs and taxes and a lack of new models.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...407/1148/rss25

Now, if that mule is a Silvia replacement, that might be a different story (launching the GT-R and a new model might not leave time/R&D costs for the Z). But, I gotta' believe they are doing something new before 2011.