Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Nissan, Porsche
Nissan says next 370Z to compete with Porsche
When Nissan launched the 350Z in '02, it was working hard to reinvent itself and the new Z was clearly its halo car in the U.S. market. Now that that the revival has come and gone, expect the new 370Z to take on a new tack as a harder edged vehicle. In fact, Nissan plans to take on Porsche, the most classic of all sportscar manufacturers, with its newest coupe. Equipped with a larger 335-hp 3.7-liter V6 engine and having gone on a serious diet, possibly shedding as much as 200 lbs, the new Z will definitely have the cojones to keep up with its foes, including the Cayman, and its shorter wheelbase and wider track should conspire to make it quite the handler as well. We'll get our first official look at the new son-of-Godzilla at the LA Auto Show, shorty after which the Nissan 370Z should show up in Japanese dealerships with U.S. delivery at a later date. Hopefully, not too much later.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Red 8:07AM (10/01/2008)
Well, we know they're now at least a blip on Porsche's radar after yesterday's accusations. They succeeded in doing what Audi's R8, GM's 'Vette and Chrysler's Viper have been struggling to do: to even be acknowledged publically by Porsche.
This development should be interesting.
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tankd0g 9:52AM (10/01/2008)
The only time Porsche acknowledges Audi is when they are asking how much they want for controlling share :)
Soccer Mom 9:54AM (10/01/2008)
Corvette battles with Ferraris in LeMans, they sorta overshot Porsche already in terms of performance, but not in prestige. It is a well established setting. R8 is in a different league - it is a super-car, like Ferrari or Lambo, while Porsche (with the exception of Carrera GT) is an upscale "regular" car, so no formal competition here. Nissan, on the other hand, doesn't have a status quo of Corvettes, it is a new animal. And because it is new, it is a major eye soar for Porsche - Porsche's management doesn't know yet where it will lead eventually (as opposed to the Corvette that has its established fan base that is different from Porsche's crowd).
Red 10:51AM (10/01/2008)
The R8 isn't a supercar. For all intents and purposes, it is the spiritual successor to the NSX and anybody snobbish enough to disagree with that statement has likely never driven either. And I'm an avid R8 supporter.
Interestingly enough though, this isn't the first time Porsche felt threatened enough to comment. Ironically, it was the NSX that Porsche said was essentially inferior to the 911 after it debuted because they burned through a set of pads and rotors.
And we know Porsche likely feels its 911 is threatened from the inside with the whole VW takeover thing. We all know what happened to the R4 and things don't seem to be getting any easier for VAG.
I'm sensing a reocurring theme here...
j 10:51AM (10/01/2008)
A blip? Are you kidding me? More like Nissan is Porsche's main concern at the moment, especially after their whiny accusations with no proof to back them up nonsense from yesterday.
pmiddle5 11:34AM (10/01/2008)
Porsche's are upscale "normal" cas?....So if I take a Honda Civic and make it nice you consider that to be the equivalent of a 911??That, is a completely confusing quote
993C4S 11:14AM (10/02/2008)
@i
While I don't agree with Porsche adding validity to Nissan's claims, I don't believe it is their "main concern."
I think it is an apples to oranges type discussion. In my opinion, they simply are not targeting the same customer (at least at the 911 level.) Most who are buying a 911 are doing so for more than just the performance. You need to add in the history, heritage, quality, brand appeal, etc. Most of which is not part of Nissan.
Now, a Nissan that competes with the mid-level models like the Boxster and Cayman makes more sense. If price points are similar, you may see people buying more based on overall performance specifications vs. the intangible qualities mentioned with the 911.
Josiah 8:14AM (10/01/2008)
Talk is cheap.
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nighttime 8:35AM (10/01/2008)
Cayman sure thing!
Cayman S maybe not...
Injected 8:44AM (10/01/2008)
Don't be so sure. The stats match up pretty well between the two and Nissan's engineers have shown what they are capable of when it comes to chasis tuning. I like the Cayman S, but have loved the Z for so long. Just to be close would be a win.
Temple 9:02AM (10/01/2008)
The Caymen has only got 245hp, it shouldn't take much to beat. For $50,000, it doesn't take much to be it, especially since there are tons of cars in that price range that can whoop it.
The Cayman S makes 295hp, the more-powerful Z may have a much harder time considering its heavier, but this new 370Z is suppose to be 100mm shorter and 200lbs or more lighter then its predecessor so it may stack up well.
Raz 9:16AM (10/01/2008)
The thing is... competing does not only mean around the track, but can also be in terms of marketing and sales. A Nissan can never compete with a Porsche in terms of the market. Because they are aiming at different class of buyers and the prices of their cars are separated by a substantial amount, so I don't think they are competing in the same class. I mean.... Audi TT-S and Cayman, probably, but if they are pricing the 370Z similar to the old one, then i seriously don't think they are competing, not market wise anyway.
Brandon 10:01AM (10/01/2008)
I agree with Raz, if someone is looking to buy a Porsche, they want a PORSCHE, for obvious reasons. I still think Nissan is a long way from being really 'up there' with Porsche name. Any company can aim at them performance wise, but the quality of the Porsche machines will still linger heavily in people's minds.
s13hybrid 2:13PM (10/01/2008)
Although I agree with Raz, Porsche owners won't feel so great when car that is cheaper can keep up with them/possibly surpass them in performance. What happens then? They take the Porsche badge off the car and shove it in the Nissan owner's face? That is about all they can do (while being dissapointed in a car they spent more money on only to get equal results). To bad this is the way of the average consumer, badges mean a lot to them.
Trying not to talk trash, just stating an opinion.
naggs 3:42PM (10/01/2008)
dont forget about that rumored v8 z. im guessing about 400 hp
Duders 8:30AM (10/01/2008)
I'm all for this thing. I've always liked Z's and if they make a new one that goes up against the cayman and it sells for below $40k, I'm sure they'll be the tuner kids all lined up to buy one. Now I don't think it'll sway any of the porsche buyers because it doesn't have the badge.
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MajorGeek 8:30AM (10/01/2008)
I wondered for a long time now if we have basically reached the peak of what cars can do from 0-60, quarter mile and handling. Im sure there are some minor tweaks that can be done, but think about how many cars out there now are capable of under 5 seconds 0-60 times and in the 12-13 second quarter mile range.
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almost Dr. G.. 8:40AM (10/01/2008)
well the most beneficial thing to us normal folk is a 0-60 under 5 second car under $40k, which has only been achieved by the sti and evolution (correct me if i'm wrong).
hopefully this new Z will crack it too, with the prev generation being ~35hp less and ~200lbs heavier i do not see why i wouldn't hit the 4.9's...
automakers may be close to a peak with gasoline engines but soon they'll have to start working out the mechanics on hybrid/electric variants so we're in luck!
Red 9:29AM (10/01/2008)
Cars have gotten faster. Drivers generally gotten worse. While it's a great thing for responsible people to have cars this fast, the affordability does mean in a few years the potential for stupidity goes way up.
Then again, there are a number of people that boost their Civics, tCs and Cobalt SS' to beyond their own skill level, so...
Bring it on.
tankd0g 9:52AM (10/01/2008)
If you're willing to run tires that won't work when it's cold or raining you can woop most cars a class above with most cars a class below.