smaller, lighter Nissan Zcar?

[reni]

Originally Posted by Kido1986

2886 lbs has been chosen because they are Japanese, whic means they measure in Kilograms. 2886lbs = 1300kgs, thus the odd sounding pound-age in the article.

I truly think Nissan can do it. They were only of the last ones doing it right still, building their lightweight low-medium coupe (Silvia) until 1998 and 2002 (US and Japan respectively) when others quit in the early 90s.

The system of measures doesn't really change the statement, even if you use kg it's not like they can know the car will be exactly 1300kg. The point is that it's a rough estimate, so they should say somehting like "under 2900lbs" or "in the low 1300kg range".

And I agree ~2900lbs is possible *IF* they bring back the S platform, but that's a pretty big if. I've been saying for a long time I'd love to see an updated S16 platform to make both a Z and a new Silvia (rather than the build the Z on a luxo-barge platform). However, the reality is that the production numbers still wouldn't be high enough to justify a new platform to the beancounters.

[Sigh-on-Rice]

Originally Posted by reni

The system of measures doesn't really change the statement, even if you use kg it's not like they can know the car will be exactly 1300kg. The point is that it's a rough estimate, so they should say somehting like "under 2900lbs" or "in the low 1300kg range".

And I agree ~2900lbs is possible *IF* they bring back the S platform, but that's a pretty big if. I've been saying for a long time I'd love to see an updated S16 platform to make both a Z and a new Silvia (rather than the build the Z on a luxo-barge platform). However, the reality is that the production numbers still wouldn't be high enough to justify a new platform to the beancounters.

If you read the article, it says "further reduce the car's curb weight by up to 420 pounds to a class-leading 2866 pounds". It never says that it will be exactly 2866 lbs.

[zigzagz94]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

When was the last new affordable lightweight RWD vehicle introduced?

Miata, 2005
S2000, 1999 (honestly pushing it, kind of expensive)
RX-8, 2003 (kind of heavy)

Am I missing something?

not super lightweight but under 3000lbs


[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Sky"]Saturn Sky - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

2006 Saturn Sky Redline

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Solstice"]Pontiac Solstice - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

2009 Pontiac solstice gxp coupe

[Allch Chcar]

The current one isn't that big or heavy so it's going to take some engineering and new chassis. Not really interested at this point but I'm going to keep an eye out for it just in case.

[gogriz91]

It looks great but needs RB power, turbo 4 doesn't cut it.

[Trashed675]

Originally Posted by gogriz91

It looks great but needs RB power, turbo 4 doesn't cut it.

Unless they are planning on selling it as a tuning platform kinda like the twins. Keeps the cost down, keeps the aftermarket happy, keeps tuners happy. Plus Nissan doesn't make a relatively cheap turbo 6 anymore. If they did, it'd have to be expensive.

[gogriz91]

Originally Posted by Trashed675

Unless they are planning on selling it as a tuning platform kinda like the twins. Keeps the cost down, keeps the aftermarket happy, keeps tuners happy. Plus Nissan doesn't make a relatively cheap turbo 6 anymore. If they did, it'd have to be expensive.

First thing people were unhappy about with the twins was power, RB takes care of that. They already have a lot of RBs on the road, they just have to engineer the ignition and emissions to sell it in the states.

[Trashed675]

Originally Posted by gogriz91

First thing people were unhappy about with the twins was power, RB takes care of that. They already have a lot of RBs on the road, they just have to engineer the ignition and emissions to sell it in the states.

As far as i'm aware they've never officially sold RB's in the US. I doubt they would start now with a brand new car. It was great in an R34 but its a decade old now. They'd be more likely to put the turbo'd 1.6 from a juke in the new car.

[gogriz91]

You're right they never did and they won't on the new Z which is a shame because they have all the tooling and the aftermarket support is huge. If the new Z steps out with a turbo'd 1.6 it'll last two years before they have to up the displacement and horsepower because why buy a glorified Juke?

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by Marchy

if the new z rolled out with an I6 i'd probably sell my brz for it. or my kidney.

other than perfect balance crank balance (i think) what does that offer? more weight, worse weight distribution and larger size. not that cool when you think about it. there is a reason why that engine format is all but dead

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by fatoni

other than perfect balance crank balance (i think) what does that offer? more weight, worse weight distribution and larger size. not that cool when you think about it. there is a reason why that engine format is all but dead

You're on a forum about a car that loses most comparisons by numbers, I6's aren't usually chosen for their performance numbers, same with boxers (we have four camshafts for four cylinders for crying out loud), it's a romanticism. I6's have a distinct sound, character, and history, that's more than enough for most enthusiasts. There's also the recent reputation by the ricer import crowd that they're indestructable and can be modded to absurd levels of power (Supra/Skyline), but I'm more inclined to remember the European luxury sedans with I6's that were also indestructable (Mercedes, Jaguar, Rolls, BMW, etc.) as well as American utility vehicles (Jeep, various trucks from Chrysler & GM).

[Diode Dynamics]

If the future Supra looks anything like that, I'll check kidney prices on the black market.

Nick C.

[chrisl]

Originally Posted by fatoni

other than perfect balance crank balance (i think) what does that offer? more weight, worse weight distribution and larger size. not that cool when you think about it. there is a reason why that engine format is all but dead

Someone should let BMW know that the i6 is dead. They might be interested to hear that...

[Trashed675]

Originally Posted by chrisl

Someone should let BMW know that the i6 is dead. They might be interested to hear that...

Even BMW is going away from I6's. The bottom range engine is a turbo'd 4, not a NA I6 anymore. Top range is TT V8's and 12's. I believe the only I6 you can get from BMW is the single(do they still have a TT?) turbo 3L I6 in the 335/135/640 etc.

TVR used to do a big nasty I6 but they have kicked the bucket all together.

The 4.7L I6 in the eagle speedster isn't mainstream enough.

Ram/Cummins is the only other I6 that comes to mind.