Why didn't Nissan hide the fangs?
 

Maybe it's Chris-Bangle-itis, that is, being unique just for the sake of an overinflated ego, but I find it odd that Nissan chose to make the fangs so prominent on the 370. Of all the things that people dislike about the 370, arguably the most common complaint are the fangs. I do realize they serve a functional purpose (brake cooling ducts) but Nissan has done it better by making them more subtle on their other products:

GT-R:

http://www.cargurus.com/images/2008/...pic-65032.jpeg

Nismo 350:

http://www.techfresh.net/wp-content/...o350zext01.jpg

Heck, even Honda got it right with the S2000:

http://www.everythingoutlet-blog.com...9/01/s2000.jpg

So I ask again, unless Chris Bangle somehow talked his way into the design room, why did Nissan feel the need to emphasize this gawdawful catfish face (which, thankfully, they removed for the upcoming Nismo 370):

http://www.motorauthority.com/conten...30_03-1121.jpg

maybe for optional air-ducts for the upcoming tt version... lol

Why didn't Nissan hide the fangs?


http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/4427/039fmt.jpg

One reason could be.... That they already have? It's called the Nismo treatment..:icon17:

The lights still don't fit well with me... reminds me of the Maxima..

The reason the fangs are there is because the idea behind the 370z was a shark. Not kidding. The key designer said when designing the Z he wanted to make it sleek, but agressive just like a shark. This was mentioned in an interview he did with some mag. Can't remember where I read it but there is a 90% chance it was somewhere on this website rather than any other Z site I visit.

what does chris bangle has to do with any of these cars? he designed BMW and other great epic cars.

370 Designer - Randy Rodriquez
 

The interview is in the June issue of Import Tuner.

Here's the online link:
http://www.importtuner.com/features/...ign/index.html

The headlights, the taillights, the fenders, there are a number of design issues for me. I do like the increase in hp & some of the improved elements in the interior.

aren't the GTR' ones actual air ducts anyway?

Thank god I'm not the only one. :icon17:

Just so you know, there's no functional purpose to the fangs. The ducts are blocked off by covers. Without some sort of "funnels" installed in the ducts, there's no reason to have the ducts uncovered anyways unless you like creating unnecessary drag.

I happen to like the fangs as they make the Z more distinct. Also, there's already hundreds of these threads complaining about the fangs. Did you really have to make another one?

everything is inspired by some certain thing. i can see the shark image in the 370, the fangs dont kill the car but jus add to the image. i think its cool that these designers come up with things to copy or create someting out of. for example, jordan shoes... some jordan shoes are influenced in cars like Ferrari, -the bmw z4 looks alot like a shark too

Fangs
 

I for one just dealt with it and made the best of them. These pictures are hard to see but these lights are very bright and look very nice in person. Camera doesnt do it justice. Installing back up camera this week and will have pictures to post for all soon.

hhmmmm. not bad.
very interesting.

Thank you, like I said it WAY better in person. Got alot of comments for locals that have seen them. The finish on the fogs are the same stainless steel look of the handles on the Z. Looks very factory.

I love the 370 in black because you can't see the fangs.

I saw a pic of a 370z that painted the fangs flat-black and it looked spectacular. First mod I'm doing if I ever upgrade to the 370.

...oh... or cut them out and make room for a FMIC :D That would work also I suppose.

Wasn't that the design premise behind one of the old tiburons. :p

IMO it looks horrible.

Looks like little nipples when they're off, and when they're on they draw more attention to the fangs.

Oh God! The Nismo version, at least at that angle, looks like a puffer fish!

looks nasty, sorry :(

why would you impede airflow into the oil cooler? :dunno: