I have been googling the Z like crazy found this on some forum. Not sure how dependable the source is and it is dated 2006. This might also make sense, a cheaper version of the Z too. Perhaps the Z will come in 3 flavors. I guess we shall have to wait and see. So much speculation. Nissan has done such a good job keeping all this a secret.

http://forums.roadandtrack.com/cars/...thread.id=2129

"Brian Carolin, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Nissan Europe met with Car Worlds Shawn Shields today to sit down and discuss the future of Nissan motors, and upcoming Nissan cars and projects."

"Carolin: It is justified because we believe people want maximum performance, and they will pay for that performance. When you think Nissan Z, you don't think bargain basement, we're not Hyundai. We want a good band for the buck, but we have our minds set more on performance, and less on affordability. We do however have a slight trick up our sleeves for the consumer who wants to own a Z, but can't pay the 40 plus thousand dollar price after taxes.

CW: What trick do you have?

Carolin: I'm not at liberty to disclose the exact information today, you'll have to wait until the LA auto show to get the official news.

CW: Oh, come on, you can give us a hint...or a big hint (Shawn laughs).

Carolin: Ok, I'll give you guys a little something (Carolin laughs). We may have an alternative cheaper engine option for the 2011 model year. When the car first arrives in late 09 (as a 2010 model year), the car will only have the 3.7 liter 350 horsepower V6. However, one year after the car is launched, we may offer a cheaper engine option.

CW: What is it?

Carolin: You have to wait to November to get the final answer on this matter, but it's currently between two different engines at the moment.

CW: What are they, come one man, you gotta give us something?

Carolin: Alright....you guys are rough (Carolin laughs). One is a slightly tuned version of the current Sentra SE-R Spec V 2.5 liter I4 putting out around 220 horsepower, and the other is a detuned version of the current 350Z 3.5 liter V6 (engine) putting out around 280 horsepower.

CW: Those sound fast too, what are they gonna cost?

Carolin: We're aiming for the entry level Z to cost just over 25 thousand US dollars. Also, we're trying to get 0-60 times in under six seconds no matter what engine we decide to put in the entry level car.

CW: What engine are you guys leaning on for the entry level Z?

Carolin: We're leaning on the 2.5 I4, but that's not definate. You need to wait till the LA auto show to get the final scoop on the final information on the entry level Z."

 

ok

 

hmm....the guy in the interview went pretty damn specific with his answers

 

I really hope Nissan doesnt take this route. If you cant afford it then tough ****.

 

 

the future doesn't seem so bright now....muahahahahahah muahahahahahaha

 

I call bullocks on this
& if it's true, then it's the wrong direction for Nissan. the $25k rwd type of car is the silvia. The Z has always been somewhat exotic, hence the higher price.

 

Well at least all the civic owners will be able to get into a 350z now, and still have money left over for the fart can exhaust.

 

I kind of agree with you. I wouldn't want to have Z's with V6's that look the same as ones with a smaller engines. Also, there would be more of them on the roads. But then again, that is their aim, to sell more cars. It is kind of like the Mustang having the V8 then the weaker V6 but with the same body. I never had any respect for the Mustangs with the smaller engine. But I do think Ford sold a lot of them. People who want the look but can't afford the real deal.

Also, I thought Nissan was coming out with the new Silvia, which will be a four cylinder. But I heard this car will be front wheel drive.

 

Oops, I didn't read what you said about the Silvia. Yes, I agree. It doesn't make a whole lot of since when you consider there was rumor of a Silvia coming. But it may be FWD??

 

Nissan should just get the SR20DET US EPA and DOT compliant.

right from the silvia S15.

lightweight, plenty of aftermarket, nissan would have a cash crop in there hands in the usa with all these kids with sr20 swaped 240's and other cars.

the QR needs some reliabilty fixes from nissan before they ruin another car with it's issues..

 

The Z will NEVER have a 4 banger in it. Back when Nissan presented us with the first Z concept that later became the 350, they put that motor in it and tried to pass it off on Z enthusiasts. There was a huge uproar and Nissan scrapped the car.

 

4cyl in a Z would be tight. i could buy one for my grandma, my mom, my sister that i dont even have and all the kids at the high school could have one.
then they can put stripes down it, 17" chrome wheels, and put emblems on it to make it look like higher model Z's!

oh wait, that was the mustang.

 

The OP should be banned for thinking of the worst idea known to mankind.

 

Before the orange 350Z concept was this 240Z concept, and the plan was for a 2.4L QR (?) engine. It caused quite a bit of controversy, so that's when they brought out the 350Z concept:

 

^ That wasn't a 240Z concept. It was just a Z concept. Nissan basically slapped the concept Z body onto a 240SX platform with the 240SX motor. They took it to the Z Car Convention in Oklahoma that year and all of the Z enthusiasts told Nissan brass it was a POS and the Z had to have atleast a 6 in it. Nissan shortly thereafter scrapped the project and went back to the drawing board. I was there for that and saw the concept up close.

 

^^^I can see why!

Look at that piece! Huge wheel gap, panels that don't make sense or flow together at all, and a crappy 4 cyl under the hood. I wouldn't pay 13 grand for that!

 

I'm really sorry you had to witness that, especially up close!

 

Ya, it really sucked.

 

LOL! Sucks to be you!! At least at that particular time...