All-new 2023 Nissan Z makes world debut!

[DesmoSD]

I don’t think it will be a DOA model trim. There will always be buyers for a cheaper edition of a beautiful looking sportscar.

The EU Z4 197hp manual is currently a low production model. Supposedly we will get a 2.0L manual Supra in the U.S. though. At what horsepower level is not yet known but the next GT86/BRZ is set to get at least 240-250hp with a turbo FA24 engine and A70TTR has mentioned that in the long term for the Supra a 280hp 2.0L engine had been planned. That would makes sense with the positioning of the 2nd gen 86 and the Corolla GR-4.

My guess is that if Nissan does release their VR30 twin turbo Z with a manual transmission option at $40k then Toyota will finally have no choice but to complete development on a Supra 3.0L manual variant (in addition to the cheaper 2.0L manual) to compete.

The A80TT and Z32TT never were at the same price points in the 90’s either (maybe not until Toyota cut the MSRP for the Turbo by -$10k in 1997) but they always competed directly on specs.

This is why it's good to have competition. The Z32 came out first but it only added to the JDM Golden Era.

I just hope Nissan can make something nice and clean looking like the Z32. I knew the guy who designed the 350/370Z (Randy Rodriguez) and even though he's a cool dude, I wasn't a fan of the current gen Z at all. The Q60 on the other hand, is even worse.

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[KahnBB6]

This is why it's good to have competition. The Z32 came out first but it only added to the JDM Golden Era.

I just hope Nissan can make something nice and clean looking like the Z32. I knew the guy who designed the 350/370Z (Randy Rodriguez) and even though he's a cool dude, I wasn't a fan of the current gen Z at all. The Q60 on the other hand, is even worse.

Wow! Cool you got to know the designer of the Z33! I agree, I wasn't a fan until the 370Z was released. Honestly I put the blame on Carlos Ghosn for the Z33's shortcomings.

The Z32 is a timeless, beautiful car. The only downside was working on the engine due to it being designed first and THEN the engine bay around it after the fact. But when in good tune-- amazing cars. Competition definitely helps this segment. If the styling for the Z35(?) works out as proposed along with the inclusion of the VR30 twin turbo engine, a stick shift and a very shortened version of whichever Infiniti RWD Q platform is the smallest and lightest it could be an amazing Z for this generation.

 

[DesmoSD]

Wow! Cool you got to know the designer of the Z33! I agree, I wasn't a fan until the 370Z was released. Honestly I put the blame on Carlos Ghosn for the Z33's shortcomings.

The Z32 is a timeless, beautiful car. The only downside was working on the engine due to it being designed first and THEN the engine bay around it after the fact. But when in good tune-- amazing cars. Competition definitely helps this segment. If the styling for the Z35(?) works out as proposed along with the inclusion of the VR30 twin turbo engine, a stick shift and a very shortened version of whichever Infiniti RWD Q platform is the smallest and lightest it could be an amazing Z for this generation.

Yeah, he's a cool guy. This article was back in 2010 but Randy moved to SD when he got a job at the Nissan Design Center in the La Jolla area. He just happened to have a CBR600RR as his commuter and I had my R1 at the time. We all used to ride with motorcycle club based out of UCSD called Hypercycles. Since UCSD is in also in La Jolla, that's how word got out and how Randy joined. We all started talking to him about bikes and cars and that's how I found out that, not only did he work at the Nissan Design Center, but that he also designed the Z, Rogue and Juke. Now he's at Tesla.

If the Z35 can take on a lot of heavy styling cues from the old 280Z (long hood and fenders, very analog interior, hopefully 3 door, FR, lighter the better then it'll be a home run.

https://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/03...-nissan-370z-designer-randy-rodriguez-at-23r/

 

[KahnBB6]

DesmoSD, thank you for sharing your story! It really is a small world and you never know who you’ll meet!

He’s at Tesla now! I wonder if he’s done any work on the new Roadster.

I agree that even the 70’s 280Z’s front end, like the 240Z and 260Z, is excellent to draw inspiration from.

I think they know to keep the FR long hood, short rear shape and three door layout the same. I’ve seen auto journalists complain about the 370Z’s “dated” interior with nary a touchscreen anywhere but I would be 100% fine if they avoided a touchscreen and kept everything as analog-like and driver-centric as possible. The old 240Z’s dash with those recessed gauges, like the ‘69-‘70 Mustang’s, is a timeless and simple design to reinterpret. Doubtful on that but anything they can do to avoid too much screen dominance the better.

 

[SupraFiend]

The A80TT and Z32TT never were at the same price points in the 90’s either (maybe not until Toyota cut the MSRP for the Turbo by -$10k in 1997) but they always competed directly on specs.

1993 300ZX 2dr Hatchback Coupe Turbo 5-Spd w/T-Bar $37,655 / N/A

1993 Supra Turbo 6-Spd $39,900

The base models for both cars were both $33k in that year too.

 

[DesmoSD]

DesmoSD, thank you for sharing your story! It really is a small world and you never know who you’ll meet!

He’s at Tesla now! I wonder if he’s done any work on the new Roadster.

I agree that even the 70’s 280Z’s front end, like the 240Z and 260Z, is excellent to draw inspiration from.

I think they know to keep the FR long hood, short rear shape and three door layout the same. I’ve seen auto journalists complain about the 370Z’s “dated” interior with nary a touchscreen anywhere but I would be 100% fine if they avoided a touchscreen and kept everything as analog-like and driver-centric as possible. The old 240Z’s dash with those recessed gauges, like the ‘69-‘70 Mustang’s, is a timeless and simple design to reinterpret. Doubtful on that but anything they can do to avoid too much screen dominance the better.

It's easier said then done and based on the current Nissan designs, I wouldn't be surprised if they completely missed the target; from a design perspective. You would figure, 2 deep gauge pods for the tach and speedometer and then 3 smaller gauge pods up center for boost, oil pressure/temp, engine temp and fuel with a nice white fond and OLED backlight would be something easy to mock up.

Nissan would do something as dumb as to randomly put an ugly tablet right in the middle to completely throw off any design flow. Toyota did...

 

[KahnBB6]

1993 300ZX 2dr Hatchback Coupe Turbo 5-Spd w/T-Bar $37,655 / N/A

1993 Supra Turbo 6-Spd $39,900

The base models for both cars were both $33k in that year too.

Apologies, I stand corrected for the introductory model year. However the price did increase significantly for 1994, 1995 and 1996 (which was the only year the Turbo went automatic-only due to OBD2 emission certification delays for the Getrag 6-speed).

The price only dropped -$10k from around $50k or so for 1997 and the final 1998 model year while the last model year for the 300ZX & TT was 1996.

 

[justbake]

Nissan would do something as dumb as to randomly put an ugly tablet right in the middle to completely throw off any design flow. Toyota did...

TBF the tablet drastically reduces sight lines compared to molding a dash around it alongside making the cabin feel less cramped with such a tall dashboard

Look how much the G30 (top) improves on the F10 with a damn near identical layout

 

[DesmoSD]

TBF the tablet drastically reduces sight lines compared to molding a dash around it alongside making the cabin feel less cramped with such a tall dashboard

Look how much the G30 (top) improves on the F10 with a damn near identical layout

As much as I would like to believe that's the main reason, it's not. It's implemented because stupid people who don't know how to drive.

 

[SupraFiend]

Apologies, I stand corrected for the introductory model year. However the price did increase significantly for 1994, 1995 and 1996 (which was the only year the Turbo went automatic-only due to OBD2 emission certification delays for the Getrag 6-speed).

A falling yen hurt all Japanese manufacturers equally 1996 Turbo Z was 50k too according to wikipedia.

 

[Blakbird]

A manual option with the TTV6 in a Z35 would be nice.

 

[Supra93]

Nissan Trademarks New Brand And Z Sports Car Logos

https://www.carscoops.com/2020/03/nissan-trademarks-new-brand-and-z-sports-car-logos/

 

[BienLaunchEdition]

Looks like the Supra is going to have another competitor.
https://www.caranddriver.com/nissan/400z

 

[Hakkim23]

It's going to be pretty interesting as the new Z is going back to the 2+2 setup like in the 300ZX (Z32)
I would still get the Supra but I want to see what the new 400Z will be like

 

[KahnBB6]

This is interesting. Supposedly there may be a Z35 top end model with 480hp called the "480Z".

If this rumor proves to be true then I think the Supra GRMN will need a lot more than just slightly over 400hp. Toyota might have to pay BMW for an S58 after all unless they can easily produce their own in-house tuned 480hp+ B58D. I am sure the B58D is more than capable of this in factory tune but who knows how Toyota would want to do it.

https://www.motor1.com/news/419973/nissan-z-car-power-details/

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