Infiniti to get entry-level coupe based on Z
Along with the impending refreshening of Nissan's modern-day Z, the internet has been abuzz for about a year with rumors of a new smaller and less expensive coupe based on the same platform. This rear-wheel-drive coupe would compete against the upcoming Toyota/Subaru sports coupe, which also are also to be driven by the rear wheels. What we haven't expected, though, is an Infiniti version of this 240SX revival. According to rumors, the Nissan version would get a small displacement four-banger while its big brother from Infiniti would get a V6 displacing 2.5 liters. Inside Line reports that this new entry-level Infiniti will be displayed at an as yet unnamed auto show sometime within the next year. Color us awfully excited at the prospect of RWD coupes from the likes of Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and now Infiniti, all of which are set for the American market. Affordable performance never goes out of style, even when gas prices are this high.
[Source: Inside Line]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
carsteve 12:33PM (6/20/2008)
Agreed. Wow. Awesome.
Great move by Nissan/Infiniti.
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Fernando 1:31PM (6/20/2008)
Don't they already have a Nissan that's based on the Z and is cheaper? It's called the Altima Coupe. Yes, it's FWD, but if they are going to come out with a new Nissan/Infiniti coupe that is basically a RWD Altima Coupe then they might as well get rid of that model.
carsteve 1:34PM (6/20/2008)
Fernando,
I would agree with you if the new one looked similar to the Altima Coupe and had very similar dimensions. However, I don't think this will be the case. My roommate has an Altima Coupe, and it's an outstanding car, however, I can visualize a smaller coupe with RWD. And if I can, I'm sure they can, and they did, because they're coming out with one!
1337 2:32PM (6/20/2008)
Fernando,
The Altima coupe is not based on the Z. As you correctly pointed out, the Altima is FWD. The Z is RWD.
tuna 2:51PM (6/20/2008)
@ Fernado
The Altima Coupe is not based on the Z. It is based on a shortened Altima sedan platform, and while it posesses a sporty character, it is not a performance oriented platform. For Nissan's sake, they should offer the hybrid sedan's powerplant in the Altima coupe as well... further distinguishing it from the performance positioning of the upcomping 240 replacement (if this report is true).
R 3:40PM (6/20/2008)
Damn, this is going to be bad. Too many options coming. I need more income.
Dan 12:33PM (6/20/2008)
Thank God!!! I've been getting really annoyed at what bad mileage my G35 gets... this might mike a worthwhile trade-in.
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Andrew 12:42PM (6/20/2008)
Seems odd that an entry-level vehicle would be under the Infiniti brand.
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zamafir 2:02PM (6/20/2008)
Odder still that it would be based on the Z, unless of course, the current coupe isnt...
TBlueMax 1:10PM (6/20/2008)
Nissan has been offering the V36 Skyline 250GT in RWD and AWD outside of the US market.
http://www2.nissan.co.jp/SKYLINE/V36/0611/index.html
It isn't a stretch to see them bring this drivetrain over on a chopped-down version of the FM platform that underpins most of their line-up and market at a new entry price-point (like BMW with the introduction of their 1 series).
Lexus already offers something similar with their IS250.
This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.
Max 12:42PM (6/20/2008)
I don't get this. Nissan brings the GT-R over as a Nissan (their flagship car) and is now going to bring the Infiniti brand down market with an entry level offering? I realize that Nissan is not doing well, but trying to build the Nissan brand at Infiniti's expense doesn't make much sense to me.
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Omer 1:14PM (6/20/2008)
GTR is a Nissan’s halo car. GTR brings respect to the Nissan Motor company as a whole not to just some sub-brand like Infiniti would have. Nissan is a global brand while Infiniti is American thing.
mk 12:49PM (6/20/2008)
If it looks like a sportier, lighter G37...
Color me VERY interested, especially if the Subaru is RWD instead of AWD, as it should be.
The infiniti may or may not be better looking... (if it looks like the FX50, and the rendering, it could be a bit odd... and Subaru isn't exactly winning styling awards, either.)
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Analog Kid 10:14PM (6/20/2008)
Wow, deja vu. It's like the late 60's/early 70's. The big 3 roll out the Pony Cars (Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, et al) and the Japanese respond with the Sport Coupes (Z, Celica, Supra, 200SX).
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HayashiDrift 11:38AM (7/09/2008)
Amen. Bring back the Old School. lol :)
John R 12:49PM (6/20/2008)
I like the sound of this. The G37 is a great looking and driving car, but its fairly large...and thirsty.
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yacoub 12:52PM (6/20/2008)
Lighter, smaller, and better mpg than G35/37 would be perfect. Just make sure it's built to handle turbocharging (or comes with a turbocharged engine) and it's perfect, imo.
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jgp 12:54PM (6/20/2008)
A Z-derived coupe? Isn't that what the G37 is? So it's basically a G25?
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James Sonne 1:05PM (6/20/2008)
All of Nissan's vehicles use the same subframe architecture, so yes it is based on the Z frame, but I believe that the G shares more with the Maxima than with the Z. All semantics and technicalities of course.
BigMcLargeHuge 1:41PM (6/20/2008)
@ James,
Actually there are 2 main Nissan platforms, the FF and the FM. The Maxima platform is the FF-L for Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Long.
The Zs and Gs are on the FM, for Front-Midship platform, and all are based on a RWD setup, with optional AWD for some.
They aren't that similar, except in engine design.