To keep the threads moving since there always needs to be a new future thread, I postulate on the possibility of an electric Z. Porsche is now playing around with the Boxster and some other models as test beds for electrification. The Volt and Leaf are out there making inroads as well, as real cars.

How soon till the Z get some type of hybrid or electric drive train? The Z is pretty small now and has no rear seats, so it sounds like a decent way to go fully electric. However, the leaf, unlike the Volt or Tesla has a pretty primitive drivetrain and crappy battery management, so that doesn't seem likely for a transplant into the Z with it's much higher power requirements for a sports car.

Comments?

 

They must have some good weed in Cali

 

^^

 

last i herd the new z was going to be a 4.6 twin turbo diesel motor

 

I don't know the tech is just not there yet nor will it be soon. The Honda CR-Z is an example. It's nether fast or good on gas. That is a Hybrid though. The Tesla is not very good either. It corners like a brick and does not have very good range. See below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfHyGD7_pM

At least it is cool looking. I think an eletric Z would be a fail.

 

it will be electric and have nissan forcefeild technology,

 

i would much rather have the new line of z's come with turbo's than be electric.

 

+1 with a 32 gear transmission

 

I LOL'ed

Seriously though... I think it is more likely we will see electric motors used to supplement the powertrain for increased performance in future GT-R models and that it would happen long before electric motors would be introduced in the Z.

 

I certainly foresee that for the GTR, similar to the Porsche 918.
However, Porsche is pushing out a test bed Boxster all-electric. The Boxster is roughly the same size as the 370z, similar platform weight, so if Nissan wants to test electric sports cars - meaning cars that don't sell in huge numbers or are going to see the same boring use as a sedan - then the Z seems like a good way to go.

I can see the next Z as a 3.0 with forced induction, but maybe a stablemate that is electric and has low range like the leaf, might be an interesting option.

 

@xray2 - a 3.0 Z with FI? 300ZX much?

As for whether a Nissan ElectriciZ will ever exist...maybe? Let's face it, we'll run out of fossil fuels one day. We're already at the range of peak oil and it's looking like we're in for rising prices over the next few years. Seems sad to think all of our beautiful cars will one day be nothing but scrap, rusted out, antiquated combustion engines. Stuff like e85 is just delaying the inevitable.

 

Hahah! True the old 300ZX was pretty awesome. But let's think about it; The push for displacement is over. The VQ maybe will go to 4.0 NA or Nissan will FI or a smaller engine. There is the gov pressure for better MPGs.

I am just wondering if the next cycle is going to show an electric Z in addition to a combustion one. Since the next Z will show in 2014-2015, I am guessing it's a real revving engine, but I am trying to pin down when Nissan would float an electric Z car, or maybe even a smaller, cheaper vehicle that's more like Toyobaru's new Silvia replacement.

 

heehee

 

Well, atleast with an electric Z Nissan could finally fix the VQ oil consumption problem...?

I cant beleive I just read this whole thread.

 

A hybrid Z will make me a defector, (I not ready to be grouped with the Prius drivers just yet). I'm gonna hold out as long as there are still fast, noisy, gasoline burning cars on the road. For the rest of you Road and Track seems to think this is the future.

 

Additionally, I don't think R&T got it completely right either, 4 year span is very short for Nissan standards, and if memory serves me correctly, way too short short for Z life cycles.

 

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/auto...ew-sports-car/