Making sports from scratch, especially those that don't cost “a kidney”, is not easy. The accounts never add up: they are models with little in common with the rest of a builder's models, which increases development costs; and production volumes are never high enough. The uncertainty surrounding a successor to the Nissan 370Z has fundamentally to do with these two reasons.
As we have seen, one of the solutions is to find a partner with whom to share the burden: Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ, Toyota Supra/BMW Z4 or Mazda MX5/Fiat 124. But Nissan has another solution in mind for another generation of the Z , according to Autocar.
Internally known as Z35 , the successor to the 370Z — launched in 2009 — will be co-developed with the successor to the current Infiniti Q60, Nissan's premium “split” coupe, rivaling cars like the BMW 4 Series. Both models will share a rear-wheel drive platform , engines and electrical system.
What to expect from the new Z
Luckily put aside seems to be the idea that the new Z becomes a crossover, as was speculated a few years ago, after the presentation of the Nissan Gripz concept. Like the 370Z, the new Z — which could be called the 400Z — will be a pure coupé, apparently bigger than the current one — will there be room for four seats? In addition to the coupé bodywork, a roadster is also planned.
More certainties are in the foreseen engines. The current version's naturally-aspirated 3.7 V6, with 328 hp, will give way to the latest 3.0 turbo V6 from the VR series. Engine that ascends to 400 hp, in its most powerful version, in the current Q60.
Also according to Autocar, we can expect a Nismo version of the new 370Z, which would boost the V6's power up to 480 hp . As a curiosity, it's the same power value as the Nissan GT-R (R35) when it was introduced at the end of 2007.
When?
The successor to the Nissan 370Z will continue the long legacy of the brand's Z saga, which began nearly half a century ago with the launch of the Datsun 240Z. Model originally launched to raise awareness of the brand and its image, taking inspiration from the Jaguar E-Type to define its contours.
In 2019, it will be the 50th anniversary of the launch of the 240Z and it will be precisely at the end of next year that the new Nissan Z is expected to be seen . However, this year, the brand will be able to present a concept of anticipation of the production model.