Nissan 370Z; More Exposed!

[Jim Prower]

THAT is gonna be a tough target to beat. The Cayman might be down on power, but it's definitely up on handling, perhaps even better than it's bigger brother. I mean, Nissan doesn't have the advantage of physics working against their enemy this time.

Let us hope this diet helps things a bit.

 

[homeforsummer]

Hooray to a manufacturer making something quicker by MAKING IT LIGHTER! (Fair dos, they've also given it more power but still, a step in the right direction).

Have to say, never been too keen on the 350Z - when the original concept came out it was pretty wow but having seen loads of them on the road they look a bit... fat. Things like the Nismo versions look great though.

I agree with Jim though, the Cayman will be tough to beat, even if the Nissan is more powerful. Many magazines are calling the Cayman the best handling Porsche ever, which is quite an accolade. And to my personal tastes, the styling is fantastic. Up there with the original 911, the 993 and the Carrera GT in my opinion. So Nissan will have to do something special to upstage it for me.

 

[Jim Prower]

[otaku/anime obssessor]Well, y'know, with a couple turbos, a bored out L28, and a need to kill the driver, you could make an old 240Z obliterate just about any Porsche, save for Blackbird.[/otaku/anime obsessor]

But, in all seriousness, while Porsche is a noble target, it's gonna be a dogfight to match that Cayman. especially at a decent price point, with any sort of a good interior.

 

[YSSMAN]

Well, then there is that damn Genesis Coupe, whatever update the Ford guys give the Mustang (IRS anyone?), and that pesky Camaro. The field that the 350Z essentially dominated for a few years is now full, and consequently, they need to move it up.

 

[harrytuttle]

Wasn't the 350Z also a Boxster/TT competitor? Weren't half the magazines constantly comparing the trio? How is this any different?

 

[niky]

The point is... to actually win the next comparo?

It's going to be tough... and I'm skeptical that the 370Z can do it. There's no doubt it can possibly outpower the Cayman, but to match the Cayman's balance? That'll take a lot of work, and possibly more than a mere 200 pound weight reduction. But the fact that they're shaving any weight at all deserves a hallelujah.

 

[Bones Brigade]

Well, then there is that damn Genesis Coupe, whatever update the Ford guys give the Mustang (IRS anyone?), and that pesky Camaro. The field that the 350Z essentially dominated for a few years is now full, and consequently, they need to move it up.

Now are we talking sales here or performance?

Performance wise I was excited about the Genesis Coupe as well, but I think now that it's going to be too little too late. 310hp at 3500lbs. Thats great for a 350Z competitor but I'm not sure it will be able to match the 370Z, straight line or otherwise.

Mustang is staying LRA last I heard, unfortunate really. I would love to have some twins on a V6 in an IRS Mustang. It will sell regardless.

The Camaro will certainly be one tough cookie for anyone to beat. The Z will have it beat on price (SS or whatever the top model will be) but I expect a large disparity at a drag strip. Z gets it on handling. If the 370 can in fact hit 60 in under 5 seconds it'll be a nice little war between the two.

 

[kjb]

I agree with most of the posters that while aiming for the Cayman maybe a noble goal I don'tknow if they can pull it off. It willl be nice if they do though.

 

[YSSMAN]

Now are we talking sales here or performance?

Its a little bit of everything. Certainly the Camaro and Mustang are going to outsell the 370Z probably 3:1, but nevertheless, they're all competing in the same circle of fun. A circle that has become rather full as of late...

 

[Eric.]

A circle that has become rather full as of late...

You say that like its a bad thing! The more the merrier.

 

[Leonidae]

You say that like its a bad thing! The more the merrier cheaper.

fixed.

 

[V1P3R]

Just a google search but,

I hope it's NOT this...

And I hope it IS this...

 

[Kent]

It's the first one...
The 370 looks just like a 350 (I think they have been around for a while but the press is just now getting excited since it is close to launch time for the new year model). I want to say "GT Channel" in relation to best motoring had covered the development of this car for some time now. 👍

Personally, I don't think there is much Nissan can do to make the 370 seriously compete with the Cayman. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they can beat them with performance to dollar ratio but I don't think they can match the overall appeal.
Frankly, I think the Cayman is one of the best looking Porsches you can buy. :biased:

That said, I'll enjoy watching a spec'd 370 dog a base Cayman in some BM video shortly after the release.

 

[V1P3R]

Oh, well in that case. FAIL.

 

[Joey D]

Oh man, a retro Z car would just be the coolest things to hit the automotive world in a long time. I would find some way to get one for sure since I've dreamt of an older Z car for a long time but they are getting harder and harder to find.

 

[Bones Brigade]

It's kind of the first one.

 

[Joey D]

It's kind of the first one.

Ya I know, I'm just saying that I would like the other one. The new 370Z looks like crap.

 

[V1P3R]

If you already had a 350z, you'd be better off with modding it and puting on a decent body kit. After that you might as well go with a Skyline. : shrugs:

 

[Bones Brigade]

I am going to wait to drive a 370 before I start purchasing goodies for the 350.

 

[YSSMAN]

After that you might as well go with a Skyline. : shrugs:

You mean a G37?

Ummm...

 

[the Interceptor]

If you already had a 350z, you'd be better off with modding it and puting on a decent body kit.

... like this one: http://my350z.com/forum/lounge-off-...op-experience-details-inside-350z-ruined.html

Look at the perfectly clean look!

 

[McLaren]

... like this one: http://my350z.com/forum/lounge-off-...op-experience-details-inside-350z-ruined.html

Look at the perfectly clean look!

Wtf is that crap!? I'd be pissed off if one of my vehicles ever came out of a shop after that. He should have checked the car out, and told them to redo that POS job before signing anything.

 

[Jim Prower]

That...is...a...shady...shop.

 

[V1P3R]

I like these gloves actually.

 

[YSSMAN]

Looks like they were pretty close to "right" with the photoshops...

...Check out how pumped up those rear fenders are, I don't remember that ever being something of a design feature on a Z car before. It makes you wonder if AWD could be an option, but I'm really not certain if that would ever be a possibility.

Well find out mid-November when the car shows up in Los Angeles.

 

[buickgnx88]

What's with Nissan and the ugly lights lately?

 

[Philly]

I'm not too big on the shape of the greenhouse and the way it meets with the rest of the body at the rear, but it's looking good other than that. Although all the black tape could be making it look better than it does in the flesh. We'll see.

 

[Leonidae]

well, it is supposed to challenge low end Porsches, and it IS shaped like low-end Porsches.

 

[Eric.]

Hm. I do like the mule. It looks like its taking a lot more Datsun styling cues. It does appear quite a bit shorter too. I love how the whole rear end slopes back with the rear window. I don't think that the headlights look that bad on the new Maxima, despite hating them in photos. Hopefully this will be the same way. It appears less pronounced on the Z anyway.

 

[Jim Prower]

Well...not too huge on the lights. but most of the rest seems decent.