The 450Z -- because 350 wasn't enough
I love the 350Z as much as the next girl. The exterior styling, horsepower and handling make it one fabulous ride
for the money. Things just got better — rumors are circulating again that Nissan is planning on dropping the 4.5L V8
that powers the Infiniti M45 and FX45, among others, into the vehicle, for a total of 400 horsepower. That seems like
an awful lot of power for a car that is already pretty pumped, so word is that a quattro-like drivetrain will be
installed to put power to all four wheels. Now, the 350Z is already a chunky monkey with a V6 and simple RWD chassis.
We wonder how feasible this scenario actually is considering the extra weight that would be involved.
If Nissan can trim the fat of the 350Z, could it be the Porsche-fighter the company is hoping for?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
eric 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Yes!!!!
Finally a company realizes that there is a small hardcore niche market for ultra-powerful high performance AWD TWO DOOR COUPES...
Subaru / Mitsu pay attention, I expect to finally see coupe variants of your upcoming STi and EVO X models.
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Celly 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Yay! a $50,000 Nissan! ... Just bring us the Skyline, and walk away ... Slowly ... Just walk away... Good Job Nissan, Good Job ... Walk Away ...
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eric 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Skyline prices are expected to be near mid 70k prices plus add to that the "exclusivity" price gouging that will inevitably be applied by dealers and the mass-produced 450Z begins to look down right "affordable" at near 50K.
Now I need to see some weight and performance numbers before I start saving for my downpayment :)
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Dr. Woo 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Make this car and it may take away from Skyline sales.
"Well, I have just enough for the Skyline...but the 450Z has similar performance for $20,000 less..."
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DarkKnight67 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
A 400 horsepower fugly jelly bean. Yeah, that's a good marketing plan.
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Adam Williams 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Sounds like a machine, make it a bit fatter at the rear and it will start to look like a porsche rear end, but get rid of the AWD idea keep it RWD!! No GTR badge no AWD
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Matthew 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Being the owner of a 2003 350Z, this is quite interesting. I have always wished for a AWD version of the car since it doesn't take much to get the stock tires to spin in the back. The Skyline's AWD (AWS) system would play GREAT on a Z but I'm not too happy about shoving the price up that high and adding just more power. I've got the "enthusiast" model (all stock) and it's quite a bit of car. I don't think adding more power is what they need, but AWD would be great! (btw, anyone know of any companies making an AWD version of the Z?!)
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JayP 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Rather see:
G45 Coupe and Sedan.
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Sean 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I test drove an M45 earlier this year.
That car is a ROCKET and is way heavier than a Z. I can only imagine that they'd be gunning for the corvette crowd with that much N/A hp.
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mickster 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
7. JayP I was thinking the same thing...
And a G45 Convertible (and G35 too)...!!!!
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eric 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
#6 and #9:
The next generation of the G35 coupe and sedan have already been confirmed and concepts of the 2007 models will make their debut at the Detroit (coupe) and New York (sedan) auto shows.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107946
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HardwareGuy 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Is this a hint at the powertrain of the new Skyline GT-R? No more high-revving, turbocharged six? I know the last gen Skyline GT-R used an inline 6 and the current VQ series V6 doesn't have the same penchant for revs, but a V8 would be a pretty big change for the Japanese pseudo-supercar.
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J 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
this is good because i really hate the thought of the skyline coming with a V8 instead of a turbo 6. This would allow them to use the turbo six in the skyline with a free conscience. Everyone is happy.
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JABevan 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Even better, buy a used Carrera 4: www.jabevan.com... From experience, there is no substitute for Porsche, believe me!
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ZipperSeven 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I agree with Dr. Woo. Why build a car like this when they (obviously) plan on releasing a GT-R version of the Skyline? Make an R35 Skyline and bring it to the US (and I don't care if they call it an Infiniti or not.)
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Ethan 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
I love the idea of a lusting over a Super Z, but I think this deviates a bit too far from the theme "affordable performance" that made the 240Z and now the 350Z so successful. As we learned with the Z32 ('90-'96 series), there isn't much of a market for a 45K+ Z-Car, even if it does offer Corvette matching/beating performance. Also, let's not underestimate the problem of weight. With a V8 and AWD, this Z will probably push 3700+lbs... even with the extra horses, all of that weight will make driving this car a less exciting experience- far from that of the 911.
If I were Nissan, I'd go the opposite direction. How about a lightweight version of the 350Z - composite bumpers and roof (ala BMW M6), Factory Recaros, upgrade LSD, Brembo F50 Brakes, lighter weight forged wheels, standard Nismo S-Tune suspension, and 30-40 hp bump. Price it in the mid 30's and you'll have a winner there, with much lower development cost. Ok maybe I'm dreaming too much, at that price point, but the idea is there: Less is more is the key to success here.
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FM 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Nissan should get off their asses and bring this or the GT-R to the US now.
To #1: Subaru,maybe,maybe plans to build a hatchback.(There are some drawings on the web,and I don't like it much.) Don't know about Mitsu,unless you want the AWD Eclipse.
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John 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
Leave the V6 in the Z. The V8's belong in the Skyline.
Unless Nissan plans on making a lightweight V8, a V8 in the Z will make its handling worse.
A lightweight V8 would bring cost up too....it just would not make sense to raise the Z's price even higher.
Make the V8 exclusive in the Skyline.
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james ken 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
why isn't 350 enough?
caus the thing is a PIG! come on nissan, 2 seat "sports" cars don't weigh 3400lbs. if you guys want performance, reducing weight will get you the same acceleration as a V8, but increase tire life, improve handling, and increase gas milage! sheesh, who wouldn't want those things?
the Z is no longer a sports car. it's a japanese muscle car.
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JZeke 10:37PM (12/18/2005)
This sounds like a case of "here we go again." The 300ZX TT was the deathknell of the last Z car -- too much stuff is just that, too much.
Sport Compact Car magazine ran an article a year back on how they removed something like 600 lbs from a Z. Problem was, most of the weight came from the rear 50% of the car, turning it into an understeery mess (before they retuned the suspension.)
Its possible the FM platform needs an evolution if its going to get light.
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