Thanks for that additional information. While reading the stuff I found online I was getting a feeling maybe this is a case of just knowing some of what's coming. I think what got me going was how it is worded. It reads like this new car is the Z replacement in 2015. But of course this is all very early in the game and likely Nissan is just keeping their cards close to their chest as they did with the 370.

Editted to add:
I'm wondering how much smaller the "real" replacement for the 370 could get (not to be confused with the "mini-Z' being discussed in this thread). My 350 is not exactly spacious and the 370 rear hatch area lost about half the depth the 350 has. In spite of wanting a sports car it makes sense to have at least a little room for limited luggage or whatever the need is. I hope they don't turn it into something akin to the Miata in terms of space.

 

ding ding ding ding...

This this this!!!!!

Two out of three would be fine. I'd love a turbo six with a +2 option. Or AWD option. More choices is always good.

 

Turbo 6 is feasible and isn't the Maxima a 4 door variant?

 

Well there is the Ford SHO, BMW 335i, Volvo S60R, and so on. The issue is when you talk about Turbo 6 Sedans you are usually talking about Luxury vehicles.

 

Except that the Maxima is FWD. Even though Nissan tries to market the Maxima as such, the G35 sedan is really the 4-door variant of the Z.

I agree that a turbo 6 is feasible. Now that the current GT-R is in the mid-500 horsepower range and in excess of $90K, I think there is room in Nissan's lineup for a turbo Z with horsepower in the low 400's and price in the mid $40K to low $50K range without intruding on the GT-R market.

 

Touche'

How did I forget about the G35 sedan

 

I thought G35 was nissan's bread and butter. Before that infiniti brand was all but dead (and ugly). Altima has always been a big seller.

 

The Altima is the biggest seller for Nissan, followed by the Pathfinder, and that is globally. For Infiniti it is the G35 and FX35.

With over a 17% growth last year, Nissan has almost caught up to Honda (missed beating them by >30K cars) and is nipping on the heel of Toyota.

The problem with that is they want to take the #3 or #4 slots, which means making more mainstream/boring cars. A maker of niche vehicles typically cannot produce the sales needed.

Other makers like Subaru and Mini have much smaller overall sales, but they have a very loyal following, and seem to do just fine with higher profit, but lower overall sales strategies.

 

I think if Nissan kept an NA version of the Z and also offered a twin turbo version, like they did with the Z32, Z sales would significantly increase both in the U.S. and globally. It would be wise if they brought back the S chassis too. Hopefully they can avoid being boring by offering a wider selection of cars to appeal to a broader customer base including enthusiasts and not just the mainstream commuter.

I really hope they don't follow in Honda's and Toyota's footsteps of abandoning the enthusiasts. They became boring and now you're seeing recent efforts to rectify that with the upcoming return of the NSX and the introduction of the FR-S. Toyota should bring back the Supra too IMO.

 

I hope something comes out in the way of credible information soon. I stopped reading the current articles online because they all refer to this "mini-Z" and the 2015 Z (lighter, leaner, doing more with less, etc.). It's making me a little nervy.

 

There's way more car in an sti than a 350z or 370z for that matter. I've owned all 3. Just saying. The Z is fun but a lot more expensive to make fast than an sti.

 

Isn't Mercedes in a partnership with Nissan for powertrain development? I heard they were working on the turbo 4 and the next G was slated for a turbo 6. So the next gen Z might either be the G variant or the turbo 4 mini Z. Infinity wants a M5 rival.

 

The 240SX is a two-door compact car that was introduced to the North American market by Nissan in 1988 for the following model year

 

Your chariot awaits....

 

^Now that's a car...

 

Here's an article (May 2013) from Car and Driver stating the next Z will likely not be a down-sized 240 makeover with a turbo-4 cylinder. And that we should see something in the next 18 months.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...17-future-cars

 

It better not carry a Z in the name........ I would love to see the 240's come back to take over again.

 

Because its turbo from the fatory.... alot more minor upgrades you can get to increase horse power. STI's are nice but the engines are a mess to work with. They are different cars made for different purposes

 

I love the VQ, but the article really nails its issues - it's a gas guzzler. I'm not a fan of 4 cylinder turbo's, but at this point it seems Nissan is falling behind in the power aspect, and could be very appropriate here. The Z has never been the most tuner friendly platform, a lighter retro style car with a turbo 4 might be what's needed. Or perhaps a 6 with a small turbo on it to break out of the 300's and into the 400 range of horsepower. The former option could keep with their "affordable sports car" motif, while the latter could put the Z more in line with the domestic power options that are becoming more prevalent with the scumaro/rustang's being offered lately.

Heck, while I'm at it, might I suggest a 2 + 2? =)

EDIT: Interesting find: http://www.sidewaysat11.com/the-next...l-development/

 

I think it's possible for Nissan to further refine the VQ and make it more fuel efficient. Direct injection would be the next logical step in that endeavor. IMO a turbo version is badly needed to remain competitive with the 400+ horsepower V8 domestics, which also have more MPG friendly V6 versions. The domestics have been successful with offering two versions of their platforms. I don't see any reason why Nissan can't offer both a fuel efficient NA V6 and also a turbo version. Nissan seems to be stuck on stupid in this regard.

I think a new 4 cylinder motor should be reserved for a revival of the S-chassis to compete against the BRZ and FR-S. The time is right to bring back the S-chassis.