Guy does design work for Nissan at the design studio in LaJolla, CA came in and bought a titan for his Dad today (he helped design the Titan and is even pictured in the brochure). I couldn't help but pick his brain a bit...

He confirmed that the shorter wheelbase test mule we have been seeing pics of IS the next Z, to be introduced late next year as a 2009 model (that part (release info.), to the best of his knowledge). First showing of it will be the Detroit auto show, '08. He said as far as appearance goes, it will be a similar in evolution as the '07 to '09 Murano, in that it will still be very much recognizable as a Z. He couldn't give me any info. on engine or performance numbers.

He also mentioned that the '09 Maxima would be a big change and something we would be very happy with. Said they are going more sport oriented with it. He actually said in terms of design, that it would be something akin to a 4 door GTR.

Good things coming from Nissan next year; can't wait!

 

Great news (for someone like me who hasn't bought one yet )!

I sure hope he's right. Detroit's just around the corner, so we should know soon. If it's even close to what I'm expecting and unveiled that soon, I'll probably call my dealer as soon as it breaks cover.

I'm expecting the same engine as the G37 which will be more than enough for me . . . particularly if it loses a couple pounds.

 

It should deffinitely be lighter weight. I still can't figure out why they wouldn't use the 3.8 they already have in the 380 RS, though...

 

Salesman here said the Maxima is getting a V8 and Murano was getting a 3rd row seat

 

^ He's an idiot. Specs and pics on the '09 Murano are already available all over the place; no third row seat. Doubt very much the Maxima will get a V8, either.

 

^+1 on there being pics everywhere...and a V8...i also highly doubt.

as far as the 09 Z...can't wait!!! good bit of info you picked up. thanks for sharing

 

Detroit Auto show 08? Great, that's next month. Can't wait!!!!

 

but we prefer turbo Z's more than increase the .2 liter displacement to squeeze more power, but not GTR's, because it's too damn expensive.

 

I'm something of a newbie to the world of Nissan, so I may be talking out of my a$$, but from the little I know of the 380 RS, I'd guess it's a little more expensive, and it's probably tuned to a higher level which will push the components more and may lead to component failure sooner than an engine running at a slightly more leisurely pace.

The 380 RS may also be tuned to put out a lot of peak power at the sacrifice of lower end grunt (though that could be addressed with the proper mapping and gearing).

. . . if they hold back, it also gives them an oppurtunity to "turn it up to 11" if they want to use the 380 RS in a Nismo version down the road.

But again, I'm still educating myself, so that's just speculation. Not based on any real knowledge or information.

And again, for my tastes, I think ballpark 330 horsepower for a ballpark 3100 lb. car should be more than enough as long as it's usable power with a nice, flat torque curve.

I'm much more a fan of chasis, suspension, brakes etc. I think those components are too often neglected with focus on peak HP values.

. . . when you get down to the bottom line, the 350Z right now is a great car. I trust Nissan's engineers, and I'm confident that any new model will improve on that. And I think the key bit of information is that they're going a little shorter . . . meaning they've been able to justify a modified frame with enough sales of the current model, so that should hopefully give us a car that will set itself apart as more dramatically sporty as compared to the G37.

 

Yeah, I'm hoping that's when it is... we were talking alot about the next Maxima as well and I'm now wondering if if it's that one he said would be at Detroit and the Z sometime over the Summer... damn memory; sucks getting old, lol. He DID say the design was all wrapped up for it, though.

 

Detroit's in Jan, Chicago's in Feb, and New York's in March. I'd guess the US is one of the biggest markets for the Z, so I'd hope it would be at one of those shows, but they could save it for one of the European shows.

I think Geneva and Frankfurt aren't until Fall, so I hope we don't have to wait that long.

*edit* It looks like Geneva's in March, so that's another possibility.

 

i think more likely the Z will be revealed later in 08. normally such anticipated performance cars will make headlines on auto blogs / websites in advance if they are to be revealed. and detroit is in jan but yet there have not been any official images / sources to confirm of the next generation Z as of yet...

 

bottom line the 380RS shouldve been the nismo Z. THat 3.8 with a lighter weight wouldve put the Z where it needs to be. Suspension wise the Z is already a beast with the nismo addons.

 

Great news, hope its true. But what exact pictures are you talking about that might be true? Would be great if you could show us which ones cause theres 3 different types of images we have seen.

 

see as how salesmen don't know jack, I would disregard everything he said.

can't wait to see the new Z, hopefully it will be even more powerful than the new G.

 

I'm assuming he means these spy photos:



Which started some discussion when they appeared because people weren't sure if it was a shortened Z, or a new model.

 

^^^ design wise i dont see any differences to the current Z lol

 

Shorter wheelbase for one.

 

more sport oriented, 4 door gtr,...
if the max isn't rwd, i'm not interested... haha

 

tru, im hoping that spy shot's exterior is just a disguise for something a bit more different hopefully. i think they should incorporate a lot of the current Z design, but atleast make SOME changes to it so it looks like "the next gen" lol