Enter the rumormill: Nissan 350Z retractable hardtop
Autoblog reader Sei tipped us off to an article over at the GT Channel that purports to have the inside scoop on the development of a prototype retractable hardtop that can be fitted to the 350Z. Autech, an arm of Nissan whose focus is on specialty vehicle conversions, has developed a system that is likely to be equipped on the next Z car – if it's deemed cost effective and can fit within the Z's pricing structure.
If certain rumblings are to be believed, the next Z could debut as early as this year's Tokyo Motor Show in October, likely a refresh rather than an outright redesign. The coupe would be shown in concept form, with sales likely to begin in 2009, and that's when we'd expect this rumor to be confirmed.
[Source: GT Channel]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom 1:46PM (6/27/2007)
don't you mean the 370Z?
i wouldn't be surprised...if bmw is bringing the z4 bigger with a folding hardtop and a smaller z2... these new small nissan sports cars they're popping into testing could be the same strategy
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DWillms 1:50PM (6/27/2007)
I can't imagine how heavy a Z hardtop convertible would be. The 350Z is already overweight, especially for a 2 seater...
702 2:00PM (6/27/2007)
yeah i agree. keep the soft top. my 4 door sedan weighs less then my buddy's 350z...little sad for a sports car.
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Ligor 2:07PM (6/27/2007)
your 4 door sedan is FWD with nary as stiff a structure of the 350Zs
BLS 2:12PM (6/27/2007)
@Ligor that explains why Corvettes and Lotuses (uh Loti) are such porkers
Tyo 2:17PM (6/27/2007)
what if he drives a 1998 4 door m3?
damn ive always wanted one of those
702 2:53PM (6/27/2007)
The 350z is a piggy.
Miata 2498
Rx8 3029
Lotus 1776
Corvette 3179
Sky 2892
Z4 3020
350z 3212
FLR 3:08PM (6/27/2007)
The 350Z roadster weighs in at 3578 lbs. Heck, my 4 seat Trans Am convertible weighed in at 3500 lbs at the drag strip in fully stock form.
stefan 2:18PM (6/27/2007)
Autech has build a retractable hardtop before in 2001 the silvia autech version.
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hashiryu 2:35PM (6/27/2007)
quite right. Pity that version never came with the turbo engine....
RoadRunnerSTi 2:39PM (6/27/2007)
Nissan can keep the retractable hard top.... the 350Z is a pig, and doesn't need any more weight hindering it's performance capabilities.... it's a 2 door coupe that weighs as much as my 4-door STi or an EVO... If it could shed 200-300lbs from it's current coupe weight, then the car would be incredible
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John R 2:41PM (6/27/2007)
The Z doesn't need that. I'd almost rather see a return to targa tops than a retractable hard top on a Z.
Targa top 300ZXs looked so cool when I was in middle school. And they still do today. Good luck finding one with low mileage though
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Guenther 2:49PM (6/27/2007)
What the Z really needs is some more weight!
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Mike 2:58PM (6/27/2007)
why not a T-Top???? ;)
1337 3:26PM (6/27/2007)
It seems utterly pointless to take a Gen 1 G35, subtract the rear seats, trash the exterior styling, and cheapen the interior just to decrease the price by a few grand. The G35 should have been built seperately from the ground up. If this car is going to compete with the Miata and Sky, it should benchmark those cars.
It seems that Infiniti ignored the competition and went for the mediocre Lexus SC. Nissan just recently realized that if the SC has a retractable hardtop, so should the Z. Unfortunately, Nissan is using a rowboat to chase the automotive equivalent of the Titanic. At least it's a rowboat with a retractable hardtop.
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M 10:29PM (6/27/2007)
The Z doesn't compete with the Miata or the Sky. It competes with the RX-8, Mustang, S2000, and perhaps the Audi TT. Miata and Sky are not nearly as powerful (especially the Sky) or as rigid. They appeal to a different niche.
Do you realize how incredibly expensive it is to develop a car from the ground up? Basing the G35 and 350Z (among others) on the same platform is wise spending, and allows these cars to be possible.
As for the Lexus SC... You're forgetting about the 3-series hardtop. THAT is Infiniti's target. Mediocre is polite, the SC is crap, easily Lexus' worst car.
Kendall Tawes 2:21PM (6/28/2007)
Nissan, remember the 70-80's. You actually made one of the best 80's cars with the Z. Why make this half-asked/baked version now. Please make a new fantastic from the ground up Z that's fast, lightweight and cheap like they're supposed to be. I miss the classical Z of yesteryear. Though it still beats US domestics mostly
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