More renders from Japan of the Nissan FR coupe
Affordable rear-wheel drive performance looks set to make a comeback, as both Nissan and Toyota are planning small, sporty coupes that should stack up rather nicely in performance and price. Another player comes from Korea in the form of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which is set to do battle with the Mustang until the other Japanese players show up (assuming they make it to the U.S. market). We expect both the Toyota and the Nissan to use four cylinder engines, with manual transmissions sending power to the rear wheels. Reports indicate that the Nissan may use a turbocharged 1.6-liter unit putting out somewhere north of 200-horsepower, but less than 250. That would leave the 370Z to do battle at a slightly higher performance plateau and should allow Nissan to keep the price comparatively low, though we believe that both Nissan coupes could be based on the same platform. We should know more soon enough, as previous reports peg the new FR coupe to debut sometime in 2010. There's one more rendering after the break.
[Source: 7Tune.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jcar302 11:07AM (10/16/2008)
I really don't know why any american would buy a car like this.
Like the genisis coupe, it will probably be in the mustang camaro price range, and offer less performance.
Let's face it, domestic sports cars give you more bang for your buck.
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TelegramSam 12:20PM (10/16/2008)
2 reasons:
1. Better fit and finish.
2. To avoid white trash connotations that are attatched to the Camaro/Firebird/Mustang.
John R 11:37AM (10/16/2008)
"Like the genisis coupe, it will probably be in the mustang camaro price range, and offer less performance."
Mazda isn't having a hard time pushing Miatas. They fall into that price range new. Also, I could buy a Corvette for the cost of a new Boxter or Cayman. Yet, Porsche doesn't have any problems either.
Sometimes its more about how one feels when driving the car.
Chad 11:47AM (10/16/2008)
I love Domestic coupes but they are too big and heavy. Look at the dimensions of this thing. It's almost the exact size of the last Toyota Celica. It might even weigh about 2800 lbs. Now that is an exciting prospect.
spdracerut 12:34PM (10/16/2008)
Why would I buy a domestic? They're way too heavy and handle like barges. Even the Vette feels too big to me and I don't care for the handling of the C6 either.
Granted, if all I wanted to do was drag race, I'd get a domestic, but not if I wanted to hit up a road course. Go to any track day across america and you'll be VERY hard pressed to find any significant number of traditional pony cars. The majority of cars are S2000s, STIs, Evos, 350Zs, M3s and 911s.
Bluestreak 1:00PM (10/16/2008)
An American who appreciates good handling would appreciate this. Straight-line acceleration and tail-wagging turns make Mustangs and Camaros fun for a while, but if what you really want is good steering feedback, a tossable chassis, and gear-rowing fun, they get old pretty fast. Light weight and a turbo 4 can make a daily commute a blast without breaking any laws, and you won't be grimacing at the gas pump, either.
I grew up on American muscle. But then I grew up.
jcar302 2:43PM (10/16/2008)
What makes you guys so sure this car is going to be light?
The genesis coupe is 3550 and i'm sure this won't come in much under that.
Cars have gotten heavier, they are wieghed down with all kinds of technology. If they fall short in the hp and torque area, that kills the fun factor.
Chad 2:59PM (10/16/2008)
because the genesis coupe is 11" longer, 5" wider and 3" taller.
naggs 3:50PM (10/16/2008)
cars like this will weigh hundreds of pounds less and cost thousands less while getting decent mileage.
its a different kind of car, the only way they will directly compete is on the track
esteva03 7:54PM (10/16/2008)
the difference is that you can sit 4 people, have independent suspension, and it will last not just the engine but all the systems in the car.
unlike cars like the stang that seats two people but keep the rear sit for the brochure.
jcar302 11:40PM (10/16/2008)
Esteva, as i don't fully agree with what the rest of these guys posted as far as their opinion, i can accept what they think. This car is not done, facts aren't out, so one day we will see.
But your reasoning makes no sense.
Let me get this straight, this car is significantly smaller than the mustang, camaro and according to chad, even smaller than the genesis coupe, and you think you are going to get more leg room in the back?
If the mustang is good for brochures, this car is good for business cards.
shadysi 11:09AM (10/16/2008)
eww, that front end is disgusting. I hope its a far cry from what Nissan is releasing.
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geo.stewart 1:11PM (10/16/2008)
take a retro cue and give me something that evokes the original 240Z.
hell give it the SE-R engine and call it the 250Z with the base the 177hp variant
ocnj179 2:26PM (10/16/2008)
I hope so too because IMHO that render looks boring.
Serg 11:20AM (10/16/2008)
From a purely cosmetics point of view: I am pretty sure the final version will stay true to this. But please do something about that sloping nose!
It reminds me of the Lexus IS F. In my opinion that nose just looks too damn ugly from the sides.
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j 1:00PM (10/16/2008)
this car is still a ways off from being released, even if this concept doesn't change much there's a chance your taste might.
tuna 2:20PM (10/16/2008)
If this car is in fact in the works, the images being shown here and at 7tune is far from the current Nissan design language. To see this, one only needs to look to the upcoming 370Z and the new Maxima.
These images are nothing more than "rendered speculation" some douche playing car designer.
tuna 2:22PM (10/16/2008)
Oh, and I forgot to mention this, one tell-tale sign is the side profile: previous generation G coupe, obsolete design.
DCragtop 11:25AM (10/16/2008)
Not a bad looking Altima coupe.
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Rev 2:02PM (10/16/2008)
+1.
Why add another model into the mix. Make the Altima Coupe a sporty version of the sedan like Hyundai is going with the Genesis. Too many models could be a little confusing.
Looks pretty nice to me - should end up being a nice little car...