Death Of The VQ Engine? Next Gen Nissan 370Z To Be Named Z35 And Will Be Mercedes-Benz Powered

The successor to the 370Z is one of the most hotly anticipated projects ever to come out of Nissan. With competition in an ever-shrinking sportscar market heating up, whatever the Nismo guys will offer has to be brilliant and from the sound of things, it really will.

A recent report from Australian magazine Motoring sheds lights on many specific details, some of which we simply find mind-boggling. They say the new car will be called Z35 and is expected to come in two different versions to better compete with German cars like the BMW Z4 or Audi TT.

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MattDarringer - 8/8/2014 3:03:37 PM

+4 Boost

Call it whatever, but Nissan is aiming wrong. They should be taking dead aim at the very lucrative Mustang/Camaro segment rather than the TT/Z4 that represent a miniscule market.

Calling it a Z35 is also an epic blunder because it sounds too Chevy.

A 240Z (4 cyl turbo Z car) aimed at the GT86/Mustang V6 segment, a 350Z (V6) aimed at the V8 Mustang/Camaro, and a 450Z (V6 Turbo) aimed at the Shelby/ZL1 would be a far more lucrative business case.

222max - 8/8/2014 4:22:47 PM

+3 Boost

I guess in Europe the the TT and Z4 are that market but I agree with you. In the States they should target the ponies. I just hope the next Z car is lighter and a little more compact. They also have the Scion FT86 to contend with.

MorePower - 8/8/2014 5:37:13 PM

+1 Boost

It all depends on the platform.

Nissan needs two cars with three engines.

1. A "240"z
- 2.0 - 2.5 liter turbo four
- smaller chassis than 370z
- hardtop or hatchback and convertible
- Base price =< $21,000

2. NA "370"z
- NA engine
- Base price =< $28,500
- Smaller & lighter
- 0-60 mph in high 4 seconds
- Convertible option
- 7spd manual or DCT

3. Twin Turbo Z
- Twin turbo engine
- > 425 hp
- 0-60 mph low 4s to high 3s
- base price $42,000 - $45,000
- 7spd manual or DCT
- Improved 4 wheel steering

MorePower - 8/8/2014 5:38:05 PM

+1 Boost

New 370 and Twin Turbo Z same platform and body

MattDarringer - 8/8/2014 5:54:38 PM

0 Boost

If they go with light weight but rigid construction it would be EASY to do 1 platform and 3 engines.

MattDarringer - 8/9/2014 10:27:16 AM

+1 Boost

The Z will continue to be a missed opportunity because Nissan does not understand what made the 240Z so perfect. I've driven an old 240Z and it's wonderful.

610looper - 8/10/2014 10:48:16 AM

+1 Boost

240z 300z 350z 370z...all had low quality interiors, and a hatch that would sqeek and creek incessantly unless you were on an interstate freeway, if you happen to be vertically challenged, prepare for leg cramps and claustrophobia.....yet they did sound nice when revved from a driver or passenger standpoint and fishtail all day..

MattDarringer - 8/10/2014 11:49:01 AM

+2 Boost

The 350Z and 370Z also have brake systems that fade rapidly at the track.

It's almost as if Nissan designs the Z to produce good numbers in isolation, but in practice it shows that the vehicle was not engineered like a similarly priced German vehicle would be. The 370Z is very expensive for what it is and a base BMW 3/4 Series will be a much better experience at the track.

The 370Z is tail happy like an old 911. Hanging the tail out is fun, but it's not how you get around the track fast.