Nissan presentation previews RWD sports coupe
by Frank Filipponio on Jun 6th 2008 at 4:04PM 
With all of the excitement surrounding the next-generation Nissan 370Z, it's sometimes easy to forget that its little rear-wheel-drive brother is on the way, as well. A few weeks ago, we shared some info about this future Nissan RWD coupe, and now we have an official photo to share that popped up at a Nissan GT 2012 meeting. Although fuzzy, it shows a bulging rear fender flare, tiny rear quarter window and swoopy side that we've already seen on some unofficial renderings. As we recently reported, Nissan has kicked development of its future 240SX replacement into high gear after hearing that the Toyota/Subaru coupe is coming along nicely.
Expected to be based on a shortened version of the Z's FM platform and dubbed FR, the new coupe should be powered by either a naturally aspirated 2.0L or possibly a 1.6L or 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder. Speculation is that the S15 Silvia successor will be approximately 4,350 mm long, 1,750 mm wide and share the same wheelbase as the Z. Low weight and low price are key, and just like with its competitors from Subaru and Toyota, Nissan wants to keep the curb weight low, along with the price. We expect Nissan to beat Toyota to the punch by debuting the coupe in 2010, a full year before the Toyota/Subaru.
[Source: 7Tune.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mk 4:15PM (6/06/2008)
That looks like a 4-door.
Distinct B-pillar in the middle, rearward C-pillar and a sliver behind that.
if they are doing the "4-door coupe" thing, I am unimpressed.
But that doesn't look a darn thing like a compact 2-door coupe.
So, if FM is front-midships, is FR Front-rear? is the car so short that the engine, behind the front axle, is behind the rear axle, too? :D
Sorry, but I am not convinced, but I hope to be convinced...
Bring it on, Nissan. Let's see what you can do with this.
Question is, are they going to try to sell the Altima coupe, this coupe, and the 350Z and G37 all at the same time?
That is a lot of coupes, when most other companies have one or none. It's ok... I'll have a look when there is something to look at.
Reply
Eisenfaust 4:40PM (6/06/2008)
It does look kind of like a 4 door. Could this be something other than the FR coupe? Maybe something else entirely, that isn't on the radar?
It looks almost like a sporty prius.
David(Postal) 4:23PM (6/06/2008)
After spending quite a bit of time behind the wheel of an MR2 spyder, I think it would be really great if we had more really light efficient sports cars. Save on gas and still have a fun time behind the wheel! Good luck Nissan with your endeavor I look forward to seeing the results
Reply
pmiddle5 4:55PM (6/06/2008)
Anything but another mr2 spyder please. I have a backpack and would like to carry it with me. Beside that some of the principles of an mr2 I would like the Nissan to carry on. More so just simple, light, and rwd.
Red 4:34PM (6/06/2008)
I read elsewhere the upcoming coupe was confirmed by Nissan as FWD not, RWD as previously speculated. Was this untrue and has Nissan confirmed this is in fact RWD? The FWD might make sense if the platform is also to be shared with Dodges upcoming Demon, also now FWD and not RWD.
Reply
Eisenfaust 4:40PM (6/06/2008)
I think the folks at Nissan are smart enough to understand that making this car FWD would all but ensure the model's total failure.
Red 4:50PM (6/06/2008)
Scion's tC, while obviously not as sporty as some cars on the market, does very well sales-wise for a FWD coupe. Then again, the market for sporty FWD coupes is very small compared to sporty sedans and even hatches, so it probably is definitely RWD.
James 7:15PM (6/06/2008)
why would Nissan offer another FWD coupe when they have the Altima?
Omer 4:38PM (6/06/2008)
Just make it light with a 1.6 twin turbo or turbocharged engine with RWD and AWD. Mr. Nissan we don't need another 300hp but a light, torque, and excellent handling car.
I know most people prefer the 350Z body style I would something that is an evolution of the S15 Silvia. If designed and implemented right this car would simply put BMW 1 series out of business.
Reply
Red 4:49PM (6/06/2008)
Why do people use "light" and "AWD" in the same sentence? lol The target weight is under 3000lbs. We're too presume JUST under; Solstice and S2000 are both already 2800lbs and they lack a backseat. It wouldn't exactly be light, nor as inexpensive as they'd like, with the AWD.
Just keep it under 2800lbs, RWD with an NA 1.8 to start and I'd be happy.
dwightB 4:48PM (6/06/2008)
Put the 1 series out of business? Maybe on paper and on the track, but socially speaking, I don't think so. I just can't see the guy that is going out to get a 135i settling for the socially "lesser" Nissan product. Status is a b*tch, lol.
joystick 5:02PM (6/06/2008)
A factory sports package that contains a good suspension and a helical LSD will put a pretty big dent on the 135i shoppers who are actually shopping for performance. its the good thing the s16 wont have to deal with the baggage of not competing with the m3
plus most 135 buys who are in it for the prestige can get a 335 for just a little more moeny and a lot more practicality.
put the 1-series out of business? no. put some good pressure on it? yes.
Milos 4:43PM (6/06/2008)
this has to be 4 door model, cause the rear window would be too big. And i think the B pillar and the frame of rear doors are obvious. This is maybe next G37, altima or something like that. In Europe, Nissan doesn't have anything like that. Their biggest model on this side of Atlantic is Tiide (renamed Versa)
Reply
cc 6:59PM (6/06/2008)
The Japanese text says "This is that sports coupe"... in Japan I've never heard any ambiguity as to what "coupe" means; it's always a two-door. (I've never looked into what the Mercedes CLS is called though, mind you...)
I think it just has a slightly longer greenhouse and what looks like a C-pillar may actually be a funky reflection (which would be admittedly odd as photos usually would airbrush that out)... be interesting to see though.
mk 9:00PM (6/06/2008)
@cc,
That is a rendering, not a photograph. It has no side mirrors, or panel breaks in the bodywork. It is a drawing.
The B-pillar is obvious, not a reflection, and a created reflection in a rendering would be horizontal, not vertical.
And even if the B-pillar isn't a B-pillar, the line at the rear, just ahead of the quarter window is MUCH too far back, even for a car based on the 350Z, which has a small quarter window as it is.
IF that is a two-door, and the middle black line is a reflection, not a B-pillar, then that car will have the longest side doors known to man, much longer than the R8, proportionally to the rest of the bodywork.
it is a conceptual drawing, and it is a 4-door, even if the text is talking about a two-door.
joystick 4:55PM (6/06/2008)
Hopefully its not a suicide door thang like the rx-8
If the s14->s15 evolution is anything to go by, this should be smaller and lighter than the s15. nissan would also do well to either put a 4-banger turbo, or a de-stroked VQ into this thing (the VQ will allow smaller package)
Reply
Tourian 5:10PM (6/06/2008)
Maybe this is that small entry level Infiniti CUV/1series fighter/sports coupe thing they keep talking about. Its supposed to be a small SUV/hatch, something or other, isn't it? Maybe they won't try to sell this as a Nissan in the US to keep from having it battle the Z and Altima coupe, but have it as an Infiniti over here.
Reply
stefan 5:32PM (6/06/2008)
I isn't a infiniti because it woulden't be shown in Japan.
4agze 5:11PM (6/06/2008)
the 240sx is back good times
Reply
Tourian 6:37PM (6/06/2008)
Which is why I said it would be a Nissan in Japan and maybe an Infiniti here.