Datsun back in 2014, new Z to follow.........

[dat240z]

Thats right, confirmed today in the UK by Nissan Motor Co Cheif Carlos Ghosn - Datsun will be back from 2014, as a budget brand for Nissan- source Daily Mail!!

 

Also if anyone is on youtube type in "Jay Leno Garage" There is a dedicated 8 min clip to the Z. He loves it, although theres a 260z and a gnose Fairlady

There is a new video right at the top about his trip to Japan, he chats to designers of the "new" 240z and it actually shows a few concepts. It seems they are serious about this and it will highlight the z's original heritage and line, unlike the 350z etc.

 

I have a feeling itll be the same mould as the new Toyota and Subz........

 

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

NO BULL!!! And if im overly excited or this is old news, Im sorry but its news to me!!

[KriZka]

That's exciting(news to me)! I think a new Z would be nice, hinting back on older Z's and what they were built for(much like the Toy 86 rebirth). I think if Nissan were to build an FR-S/BR-Z(so to speak), It should be badged as a 240, SX though(Silvia/180sx). I can't wait to see the designs of this new Z....

[tbscobraZ]

Yeah I'm excited but I'm also worried they are going to screw it. In my book they should keep the 370Z and have this underneath then also have a Silvia replacement.

[thriller]

Not sure if it makes sense for them to bring out a Z and an S16, though I've read they'd really like to start pumping out new models quickly. Maybe they'll do the same floorpan and basic components, just with a 6cyl for the Z and the usual 4banger for the S. two seater vs 4 seater, liftback vs coupe, that kinda deal?

 

Exciting times!

 

I can dream that they'll bring back the SR20, longer stroke and a VE head i.e. the xtrail GT, just rwd... mmm...

[dat2kman]

Yes, it is true, Nissan are going "retro" a concept car was built for evaluation, the final styling wasnt set.

It was mentioned to me on my trip to Nissan/Nismo, when i asked if, like Ford with Mustang, GM with Camaro, both heavily taken up by the USA market, would Nissan consider the 240Z in retro.

They understand it will be aimed at USA market, with domestic Japan , as to other markets, including Australia, they could not offer anything.

They are aware of the design rules here in Aus, that is why we only get certain models from each manufacturer, for them to make all to comply, would be too expensive.

 

A relative of mine is displaying some concept cars at Paris Motor Show, this weekend, and is fairly up to date with who is doing what.

I asked him to check out Nissan display? Maybe others on here can google up pics in a couple of weeks, when they hit the nets!

[NZeder]

Just make it an in line 6 please...... no V6 if it has to be a V make it a V12

[potter260]

 

Is this the link?

Looks good cant wait to see one on the road

[saxon]

My prediction:

 

Will be called 240z. Will be a straight 6 turbo 2.4l. Have a very similar body shape at the rear, front end will be less influenced by previous Z's. 2 doors, 4 seats. 35k.

 

Makes most sense to revive 240z because it is iconic, first z, looks best, and there is an option to revive 260 and 280 if it's successful.

[dat240z]

^^^

 

Thats the link. Theres a really nice blue concept design in the video which is looks perfect for a modern 240z i think. Time will tell, but could be great, especially for owners of vintage z cars (particulalry 240z's) for value rises? Not that id ever sell the Z

[Fairlady Z]

meh all of you guys are dreaming for RWD 35K car from Nissan.

 

S16 or Silvia/200sx or any small RWD car to go against FT or BRZ ain't coming out.

 

instead by the looks of things they going to bring an EXA/NX style FWD coupe crap possible 4WD optioned Mini Z

 

http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1207_nissan_working_on_mini_z_to_target_frs_brz/?ti=v2&rec=1

 

Don't know but its a slap in the face if they going to stick a Z badge on that thing.  hey dont look to bad but I sure don't want a Renault Megane FWD with Nissan and Z badging.    Back at the cue for the FT. 

 

Nissan pull your finger out. EXA and NX were a big flop.

 

All speculations atm so guess we got to sit and wait.

 

At least what looks promising is the new non mini Z should be a stunner (if you have spare 80K)

 

some other links i've been following regarding new Z new mini z FT rival.

 

http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2012/sports/nissan/no-nissan-86-rival-32196

http://www.ozft86.com.au/forums/threads/nissan-targets-the-86-brz-with-new-mini-z.241/

http://www.leftlanenews.com/nissan-mini-z.html

 

 

[dat240z]

Well according to that article it is disappointing, however are we sure that there wont be another "proper z"?

 

I cant imagine nissan disrespecting the z badge to create something like this... They worship z cars. There is a japanaese guy at work who gets a very "excited" whenever I bring the 240 to work..

 

I can see that thing being a nx or exa type, but not a z. And then again surely nissan wont have the 370z, a mini z, a GTR and a proper 240z as dedicated sports cars

[thriller]

Edit, can't find anything...

 

I'd be quite surprised if that actually eventuated... Look how many people want the toyobaru, they cannot build the cars fast enough. I doubt many of those people would buy a fwd juke thing. There is only a few cars in the affordable rwd market, and only one of them isn't a convertible.

 

Just seems like a strange business decision for them to make a car that's already got a very competitive market, compared to a car where they'd only have to compete with a few other vehicle models.

[Fairlady Z]

Who knows sometimes Nissan looses a plot.

 

Look at Tiida and 09 Micra , and this stupid Juke thing.

 

5 so called SUV 4wd type cars in the range. small cars are hell ugly and mid size are also pathetic.If wasn't for 370z GTR  Navara, Pathfinder, Patrol they would have gone long time ago.

 

I see more Navaras than Hiluxes around why? hell looks lot better even if it is a work hack. 

 

no real good family sedans since the R31 Skylines (Maxima meh)

 

But we see.

 

I was really hoping the S16 Silvia/200sx/Mini Z  be revived to go against the FT and BRZ but from what it looks like it ain't happening.

 

Silvia was a flop across the globe cause drifting scene/culture didn't exist anywhere else besides Japan. Now when world realised and is embracing it Nissan pulls the plug on the Drift King and builds a crapy 80's style FWD turbo that none wants.

 

It wasn't a surprise the FT or BRZ sold out so quickly. People were waiting for it for loong time. A manufacturer to build a fun affordable driver sports car what 240Z was back in the 70s.

 

If Toyota only put a snail on it. maybe the next model.

 

Please Nissan Build a S15 replacement so i don't buy a Toyota. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dat240z]

Agree with both above comments 100% however im not so convinced about the "greatness" of the BRZ or 86. I mean on the surface yeah its cool, good platform, price and nice looks. But there is a youtube video where one goes up against an s2000 (stock) and absolutley gets its doors blown off in a straight line. I mean they look sporty and fast, but when performance is compared to other cars, even a family falcon or commodore they leave A LOT lacking. I think these things could become the excel of the 90's where everyman and his Leb dog buys one, does it fully sick and its still slow and gutless and terrible.

 

Im not hating, I quite like it, but its getting a massive wrap at the moment. I think when an owner pulls up next to a TDI Golf or something similar, and  it isnt competitive, itll look a bit dumb. If a car looks fast, it should be!

 

[Fairlady Z]

yeah the Ft has potential.On paper its not that great. no surprise a S2000 blew its doors off or a Golf. Agree it should be fast as it looks. hence the only reason i held off in ordering one. Its missing a vital component to be great. Little hair drier and few more kilowasps.  I would be happy if it had turbo and 140kw. few mods that can be increased quite a bit.

 

In Japan FT with Greddy turbo kit are quite awesome. Though I want one from factory.

 

The point is people want a Good Looking car that is fun to drive and affordable.. You Dat240z and me want that plus POWER 

 

 

 

 

 

[dat240z]

I hear ya. Ive also heard a few tuning companies are already developing kits, but am also hesitant of modifying a new car. Factory is better, but if kits good could work a treat i guess

[boyblunda]

I became really excited when reading the comments on this thread as I thought of the potential to create a performance retro Z - retro look with the addition of modern technology. I really like what the Camaro has done with its later model where the lines are immediately recognizable as being those of the original, plus it has a lot of the modern components and safety features that one might look for in a "restomod".

 

And then came the Motortrend article  ..........  Oh My .............. What a shame.

 

Why does the phrase "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory" come to mind?

 

I was seriously getting my thoughts together about buying the second new car I have ever owned (the first being a 180B in 1977 which I sold, without the slightest regret, six months later for a 1600 rally car). I was seriously tossing up whether to reconsider if my next car was to be a 69 Mach 1 or the new Z. If the Motortrend article is anything to go by, the revised Z is no longer a consideration.

 

I thought the reserved opinion expressed early on the Toyota / Subaru BRZ concisely expressed the reservations I had about these new vehicles. Good looks, good price but not quite the performance unless some performance extras are installed.

 

Great thread and excellent comments. Let us all hope that Nissan make the best possible use of this opportunity.

 

Regards

Dave

[thriller]

It seems obvious that power was never something that Toyota was focusing on during the development of their whatchacallit. Sounds similar in concept to an mx5. All the reviews from people who've driven them say they're a blast through corners and feel really fun to drive, which is precisely what they've aimed for. If anyone has driven the old 86's I think that is similar. It's slow as hell, but once you get going it's pretty damn fun (NOT the 4AC equipped models...).

 

I think the fact that it's not a heavily tuned FI motor probably means lower R&D costs thus lower pricepoint, lower maintenance costs, more incentive for owners to get their hands dirty, and the cars should last a very long time (eg most NA series mx5's are at 200,000km+.... not too bad for a 20y.o. roadster). Just like how mazda refrained from putting a 13BT into the MX5's, and kept it to an n/a 1.6L.

 

Again, I wouldn't be surprised if subarota brought out a turbo model near the end of the cars production life, it would be a little silly of them to take away from their own sales by producing a turbo model to kick things off with. There's obviously a big demand for more power, but until the hype starts to die off and they can actually catch up with the demand (it's around a 6mnth wait right now hahah), I don't think they'll be doing anything different.

[dat240z]

So for arguments sake say Nissan do release a 6cy RWD coupe called a 240z which remebles and honours the original, or hell even if they dont, would the VALUE of the old girls increase rapidly???

[KriZka]

The problem is money.  If you just wanted power, Godzilla. GT-R, ZR-1, the Mustang, Supercharged Camaro. Toyota/Subaru created a fun, sporty easy to drive car, with an affordable tag. Also not saying I don't agree,  if ANY car comes from Nissan, it should be a Z. l6, Turbo, rwd AND HAVE T-TOPS!!!

[luvemfast]

If ANY car comes from Nissan, it should be a Z. l6, Turbo, rwd AND HAVE T-TOPS!!!

Are you kidding me?

No targa tops!

The rest is agreeable 

[Corsa224]

 

While I was working with Toyota, We were at the launch of the 86 and given back ground of the about why they built it.

 

It was never designed with top end speed in mind, it was designed for a cheap, affordable sports car that would bring the passion and fun of driving back to the average joe.

 

If you want power theres plenty of options out there, but really as a all out package the 86 turns, stops, accelerates and carry the kids and shopping very well for under 30K in most cases and makes a awesome track car.

 

For all the people out there who want raw power and top speed, buy a old american muscle car, these Toyota / Subaru hybrids are in a different bracket.

 

Bit like me saying, That new hyundai is rubbish my V8 Corvette would beat it in a top speed, Not thinking that the hyundai was never designed as a speed machine, it was built for a purpose that it does very well.

 

Its the first affordable rwd fun sports car that australia has seen in a long time..

 

Toyota prob wont but subaru will bring in a turbo model at some stage, but there a number of turbo kits already out for them.

 

The delay is nothing new, Toyota will only be making 1200 units per year and subaru only 250 to 350 units.. a new hilux or prado has a waiting list if 6-8 months as of yesterday.

 

[chartoo]

Unless you have a time machine the chances of getting t tops are very low. A sunroof maybe if your lucky

[dat240z]

For all the people out there who want raw power and top speed, buy a old american muscle car, these Toyota / Subaru hybrids are in a different bracket.

 

Bit like me saying, That new hyundai is rubbish my V8 Corvette would beat it in a top speed, Not thinking that the hyundai was never designed as a speed machine, it was built for a purpose that it does very well.

 

I dont think people want raw power, but if its suposed to be a sports car, it needs to have some sort of performance. Otherwise, save yourself 28K and get a go kart. Same theory applies yeah? agile, fun, sporty?

 

Its a good package, but nowhere near as great as the hype suggests, thats all. As i said earlier, when one gets demolised by a commodore wagon or toyota tarago it'll look a little silly!!

 

 

 

 

[Fairlady Z]

Yeah thats why 200sx were so good.

Pitty they came at the wrong time and got canned. But i think there is a bigger demand for these cars than the awd turbo 4 door shopping trolleys that put a big dent in sales of the nissan.

 

Wasn't terribly cheap (50k for top of the range) but half price of the 300zx and was quicker car. Add few cheap mods and will eat the stingray 454 vett for lunch.

 

Now this is the type of car I want. Cheapish to buy cheapish to run and modify and still can play dirty with some of best out there. 

 

Though second hand prices between wrx and 200sx are quite different these days with nissan demanding quite a bit more. Can pick up a 2000 spec wrx for under 8k for that money u be lucky to get a s2 auto. Just shows where the market is.