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However, something extremely disturbing was mentioned in the article:
"It certainly seems Nissan has doubts about doing something as drastic as applying the name to a dreaded crossover."
Well!! I should hope to hell NOT!!!! Was that ever actually a thing uttered by some marketing person?!!!!! Oh lawd, the sky is falling if something so insulting and sacrilegious was ever actually considered. [ BARF emoticon inferred. ]
As I have said before, the Z is dead... The two-seater Z sports car is dead. SUV's make money for Nissan and and 2-seaters don't. As one commenter on the link MIC shared said, the answer is to rebadge the infiniti as a Z.. update the front and rear fascias to make it appear different. Stop GTR production because ar $150k it's stupid. Invest in lower quality materials to reduce the z's price. There we go... a four-seater Z coupe that costs ~$50k with the twin turbo v6. Even at that, good luck competing with the current Camaros and Mustangs. Also it's not always about the car. Manufacturers have to meet silly average fuel economy and emissions across their fleet thanks to unfettered US regulations. I di d hear from another source that they might relive the name on a compact sporty SUV, to which I'll barf as well. The Z as we know it is dead...
As I have said before, the Z is dead... The two-seater Z sports car is dead. SUV's make money for Nissan and and 2-seaters don't. As one commenter on the link MIC shared said, the answer is to rebadge the infiniti as a Z.. update the front and rear fascias to make it appear different. Stop GTR production because ar $150k it's stupid. Invest in lower quality materials to reduce the z's price. There we go... a four-seater Z coupe that costs ~$50k with the twin turbo v6. Even at that, good luck competing with the current Camaros and Mustangs. Also it's not always about the car. Manufacturers have to meet silly average fuel economy and emissions across their fleet thanks to unfettered US regulations. I di d hear from another source that they might relive the name on a compact sporty SUV, to which I'll barf as well. The Z as we know it is dead...
I agree with much but not the part about discontinuing the R35. No, I believe that every manufacturer should have a halo car, if, for nothing else, to "show the world what they got". Or perhaps, better stated, their concept/fantasy cars.
Toyota/Lexus have their FT-1 - which Toyota fans are hoping become the next Supra "this year" (snicker snicker.... believe that when I see it, supposedly debuting next week in Geneva)...
Honda has their "Sport EV", and while not a Supercar, by any stretch, it is interesting...
...BMW, their Z4 Concept...
...and so on.
If Nissan doesn't have an existing halo car (R35/GTR) or something to at least show us what the future "might" hold, I will personally write them off because I want to be reminded of what makes/made them such a performance powerhouse for the last 50-some years (albeit on/off). I do NOT wish for Nissan to become an "also ran company" that makes semi-stylish box appliances on wheels.
I've test driven the newer Infinitis (for and with my mum-in-law, laff) within the last few months, Q50 sedan, Q60 coupe with a couple of different drivetrains and they're really pretty nice. Now, if, as was suggested above, the reverse cross pollination back from Infiniti to Nissan could take place but in a whole new lighter-tighter-more athletic body/chassis design (or at least body), we'd have a reason to have hope going forward.
As it is now though, have to agree that the Z is dead. Or, should be at least put into cryogenic freeze - a la Z32-Z33 transition period - and revived when there's a cure that can be administered to the "aged Z35" of today.
But don't take away the last reminder of Nissan's performance heritage if you do take away the Z for a bit. You listening, Nissan?
EDIT: Oh wait, how much credibility can this author have when this is part of the article: "By comparison, the outgoing 370Z has a turbocharged 3.7-litre V6 powerplant that delivers 323bhp and 268lb ft." Psh, lies, all lies! (And from the comments, I'm not the only one to catch that piece of merde info....)
Stated by the author of that article:
"There are a lot of claims in the story, but there’s also enough to raise red flags. So as with the previous rumor, take it all with a pile of salt big enough to dissolve a battleship."
So essentially, no updates. Going back a few posts.... "He's dead, Jim."
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So why did I bring this up?
Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of the FIRST Z CAR - the Fairlady/240Z was introduced October 22, 1969 - and I'm going to be mighty pi$$ed off if they don't have a new landmark car for 2020 to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of what I see as one of the most important automotive icons IN THE WORLD!
My plea to Nissan:
Here, Nissan, I'll share my version of a marketing plan with you, no charge: UNVEIL IT ON OCTOBER 22, 2019 and actually release it just before THE 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and buy $150M in worldwide advertising during!! Might even behoove you to do a limited run of about 1,000 badged and numbered "50th Anniversary Olympic Editions" and sell them for $150k each replete with Nismo 500hp engine and if you must go with an "automatic trans" to appeal to the lazy folk, at least make it a clutch driven, sequential trans! (Which actually would appeal to even me since I have so many manual cars already.)
And NONE of that lameass "Heritage Edition" crap you're trying to sell now. An obnoxious yellow trim package! Oh. How. Exciting.
Last May, I demanded (suggested?) in this very thread:
"Next year is the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of the FIRST Z CAR - the Fairlady/240Z was introduced October 22, 1969 - and I'm going to be mighty pi$$ed off if they don't have a new landmark car for 2020 to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of what I see as one of the most important automotive icons IN THE WORLD!
Here, Nissan, I'll share my version of a marketing plan with you, no charge: UNVEIL IT ON OCTOBER 22, 2019 and actually release it just before THE 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and buy $150M in worldwide advertising during!! Might even behoove you to do a limited run of about 1,000 badged and numbered "50th Anniversary Olympic Editions" and sell them for $150k each replete with Nismo 500hp engine and if you must go with an "automatic trans" to appeal to the lazy folk, at least make it a clutch driven, sequential trans! (Which actually would appeal to even me since I have so many manual cars already.)"
Today, this statement was made (about the "Z35"):
"...the concept version will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show this fall, marking the 50th anniversary of the original S30 Fairlady Z. A production model would follow for the 2021 model year."
Our local spring auto show here in Denver provided some opportunities to ask a few questions at the Nissan press conference. Perhaps it was the lack of any Z34 in the Nissan display, but I asked if there was any word on developments in either the Z or the next GTR. Cryptically, the answer came back that Nissan was planning "something" at the NY Auto Show in a few weeks. No other specifics given.
The Brutal Truth is it could be another design study (either Z or GTR), but that might just be wishful thinking...
Beyond the myriad of improvements year-by-year, the R35 had its mid-model refresh last year. Anything more would be a major redesign to create the R36.
Our local spring auto show here in Denver provided some opportunities to ask a few questions at the Nissan press conference. Perhaps it was the lack of any Z34 in the Nissan display, but I asked if there was any word on developments in either the Z or the next GTR. Cryptically, the answer came back that Nissan was planning "something" at the NY Auto Show in a few weeks. No other specifics given.
The Brutal Truth is it could be another design study (either Z or GTR), but that might just be wishful thinking...
With NA giants Ford and GM shuttering plants to re-fit and build only SUVs and trucks, you kinda have to stop and think just how competitive the global market is. Like they are going to reduce/eliminate production of sedans for now, the vehicles that built and sustained this industry since roughly 1920. Chrysler barely escaped thanks to Lee Iococa years ago. Isuzu NA is long-gone as are many others. The market is in flux, Nissan doesn't care to get caught-up in it.
The manufacturers are watching their bottom lines and reducing risk. Following the trends of what is selling, and what the future might hold. Speaking now strictly about the Touring and Sports market- Aren't we now seeing that full-production (Tesla) electric vehicles are much faster than your average Corvette or 911 at the same price point or less? IMHO it's simply a matter of time before the petrol-fueled Touring car trades places with the Prius or Volt, whether it's 20 years or more.
Nissan currently makes many different vehicles for different needs, (profit) and the Sport/Touring market is now a remnant of Mr K's vision now that he's passed. It will be phased out over time and left to those who must compete because that is their niche. In spite of that prediction this is a wonderful time to be alive as a motoring enthusiast!
(And from the comments, I'm not the only one to catch that piece of merde info....)
