Nissan Chief talks smack about FR-S and BRZ with their upcoming sports compact

[tomato86]

Originally Posted by FRSupra

I never quite understood how people can jump ship so easily. I'm not saying anything negative about you just trying to use it as an example. I've seen people leave 370s, sti's, porches evos and r32s for this car which I still cannot justify. A lot of now owners bought this car simply because it's the car to have right now. As soon as the next big thing comes out used fr-s examples will be everywhere.

On another note I am very excited for the arms race of Japanese sports cars to unfold just as it did in the 90's resulting in the production of my all time favorite cars. I'm just fortunate that my favorite manufacture provided something already and I have no intention of "swaying" away from it.

That would be me. Totally regret leaving my Evo for this.

[DMDominator]

Originally Posted by mwjcyber

An all-new Z car is just around the corner. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that other automakers, especially Japanese ones, have been watching with great interest public reaction to the new Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. The rear-wheel-drive coupes represent a back-to-basics approach to building affordable sports cars, and Nissan also has quite a history with sports coupes, dating all the way back to the old Datsun 240Z. The 370Z is that car’s current relative, but when compared to the FR-S and BRZ, it’s too heavy and expensive.

Nissan VP Andy Palmer is fully aware of this, but he still thinks the former two are "designed for a 50-year-old." Also referring to the pair as "midlife crisis cars," Palmer instead wants us to get ready for the 370Z’s successor, which will appear in concept form next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. However, Palmer insists this latest Z car “won’t be for the midlife crisis” but rather for younger enthusiasts in their mid-to-late twenties. The new car will be smaller and lighter than the 370Z and will be powered by a new 2.5-liter turbocharged four pot. A detuned version of the 370’s 3.7-liter V6 will also likely be offered.

http://carbuzz.com/news/2013/10/27/N...S-BRZ-7716846/

Big talk for a company that hasn't innovated their flagship entry level sport coupe in over ten years...

I passed on a couple beautiful '14 370Zs in favor of the FR-S. Everyone has different tastes and while I like the Z series I definitely don't love it or Nissan.

[Braces]

Being in that 50 yr old age group .... I can assure everyone that I did not get this car as a mid-life crisis car. There are plenty of cars out there for the mid-lifers. I have another car that serves that purpose ... quite well I might add. I bought the FR-S to have some old fashioned fun. 6 speed that is quite tossable. I drive the FR-S much harder than my other car. The Nisson guy doesn't know what he is talking about and is just pissed that they came late to the party.

[thill]

I used to be a big fan of Nissan and have owned several of their vehicles, but their cars have lost their soul in recent years. The CVT transmission is brutal. I really hope they don't put it in this new Z series, but they seem to put it in just about everything now. I am also guessing this new car will not have a backseat and will remain a roadster? Lighter is a huge plus, and it is just a matter of time before larger displacement engines are replaced with smaller displacement engines that are turbocharged.

[WolfpackS2k]

Originally Posted by thill

I used to be a big fan of Nissan and have owned several of their vehicles, but their cars have lost their soul in recent years. The CVT transmission is brutal. I really hope they don't put it in this new Z series, but they seem to put it in just about everything now. I am also guessing this new car will not have a backseat and will remain a roadster? Lighter is a huge plus, and it is just a matter of time before larger displacement engines are replaced with smaller displacement engines that are turbocharged.

Huh? What is remaining a roadster? Nissan has no platform dedicated for a roadster.

[Pbrown]

[QUOTE=thill;1297668]I used to be a big fan of Nissan and have owned several of their vehicles, but their cars have lost their soul in recent years.

Not true. They changed the headlights on the newly designed Altima. Gane changed for sure.

I don't think the the twins are just for a younger audience. Every meet I go too seems to have just as many 45+ owners as younger ones. The only difference I see is we pay people to install the mods compared to the younger owners doing it themselves. LOL

For the record

Year 1 tires, rims, spoiler, drop in filter, interior lighting, antenae, accessories. Complete
year 2 TRD exhaust, perrin pulley, crystal eye smoked tailights, lamix x headlight covers, HID conversion kit, scion applique for the trunk.

Year 3 brakes

Year 4 innovate supercharger, clutch, intercooler, injectors, oil cooler tune. Helmet

Yep! no mods going on here.

Year 5 on Track time!!!!!!!!!!

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by Braces

I bought the FR-S to have some old fashioned fun. 6 speed that is quite tossable. I drive the FR-S much harder than my other car. The Nisson guy doesn't know what he is talking about and is just pissed that they came late to the party.

Better late than never. Let's hope they know it's okay to be fashionably late as long as you make a grand entrance.

They have done it before and they can do it again. Same with Toyota. Years of bland Camry sales and it took a spirited executive to push this project through. Hopefully someone at Nissan with equal pull can get a new sports car to market.

@Braces good call on your other car. They are beautiful! I was actually looking at used V8 prices just to see how cheaply I could get into that chassis. Wow wow wow. Immense curb appeal. But I can totally understand your ability to drive the FRS harder, closer to the limit. The other car isn't as forgiving, I'm sure!

[thill]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Huh? What is remaining a roadster? Nissan has no platform dedicated for a roadster.

Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking, forget the roadster part. I would love to see a Silvia replacement in the US, but this Nissan exec says this is a 370 replacement which will most likely mean a 2 seater Z?

Silvia replacement with a 2.5 turbo pushing 275-300hp and 270+ ft lbs or torque with a sub 3000lbs car would be sweet...

I need a backseat This would also put the heat on Toyota and Subaru to offer more powerful versions of their cars as well.

[Tromatic]

Try not to fuck it up too badly. You'd have to work very hard to make this ugly, but I'm sure they will give it a shot.

[humfrz]

Yep, back in the day (1970), I cross shopped the 240Z (Datson) and the MGB-GT. I bought the MGB-GT ...... why? ...... because ..... it was 25% less expensive.

Maybe Nissan has learned a lesson ..... ??

humfrz

[gily25]

meh, talk is cheap, I'll believe Nissan has anything when we start to see evidence of testing or a concept. Even at that, if it takes them a year to get something to the market the FR-S/BRZ will be in a mid-year refresh and probably still be more desireable.

[strat61caster]

With the rumors that the new Mustang is only dropping 200 lbs I'm not optimistic Nissan can reverse their 10+ year slide of mediocrity.

It's the right direction, but too little too late.

[bestwheelbase]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I'm not optimistic Nissan can reverse their 10+ year slide of mediocrity.

It's the right direction, but too little too late.

Toyota was no different, and clearly they brought something fun to market. It's never too late!

Originally Posted by gily25

meh, talk is cheap, I'll believe Nissan has anything when we start to see evidence of testing or a concept. Even at that, if it takes them a year to get something to the market the FR-S/BRZ will be in a mid-year refresh and probably still be more desireable.

They have more than they are showing. They have been developing ideas for years. Years! A change in priorities may have pushed it back, but I think something good is on the horizon.

[AznBRZer]

Meh, I'm still waiting for the Integra to be resurrected. I needz me a hot hatch!