One More Lightweight Coupe Rumor: Guess Who?

  • Thread starter YSSMAN
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So... Bringing things back on topic...

niky
GM already has the Code13R, so they have the platform to build it on. Ford and Honda don't have anything suitable at the moment, and it would cost them a lot. Given their respective finances, Ford might do it (if it felt it was worthwhile), but Honda wouldn't. Mazda is already planning to downscale the MX-5 to a 1.4 Turbo. I suppose they could manufacture a fixed-hardtop version of the NC once the ND is out at a lower price, with a 200 hp 2.0.
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The only way I could see Ford doing it would be if they adapted the D2C chassis for something new. But, I really don't know how flexible it is compared to the GM Alpha, or one of the many other modular chassis that are floating around these days. Considering that Ford seems to think that they'll be using the D2C "indefinitely," that might never happen.

A proper Honda, rear-drive coupe would be ever-so-awesome though. Its pretty unfortunate that they'd likely have no interest in doing it. It should just happen, because I say so. And because everyone else will do it. UGH.
 
Honda is not likely to do it. Just not enough value in the proposition. It would be nice to see Honda do something completely different... just because... like a mid-engined, RWD sportscar based off of the Civic platform and the K20.

The Ford DC2 platform might be too hefty to cut down. Nissan did a similar study with the "URGE" concept, but they had to strip a hell of a lot out of the 350Z chassis to make the weight.

And would Ford really want to or need to? The Mustang is already in the right price ballpark. Making a smaller turbo-four 2+2 with independent rear suspension for a similar price wouldn't make much sense from a business point of view.
 
niky
And would Ford really want to or need to? The Mustang is already in the right price ballpark. Making a smaller turbo-four 2+2 with independent rear suspension for a similar price wouldn't make much sense from a business point of view.
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Maybe one for Europe, that. Spiritual successor to the Mk1/Mk2 Escort, or the Capri...
 
Would work there, and here... but not in the US market, likely... and I don't see them creating a brand new platform for just a few markets when they're focusing on globalizing their line-up.

Maybe when it comes time to replace the Mustang, they'll think about downsizing it and creating a two- or three-product line of rear-drivers based off the next-gen platform.
 
Chances are the concept will look amazing and draw infatuation like a vacuum but then the production model will rain on all the anticipation with zero inspiration and dreariness. Nissan did that when unveiling the 2006 Nissan Sports Concept which looked the perfect reincarnation of the old GTI-R. Then the Versa/Tiida production model was unveiled and I experienced a more intense hatred for Nissan than I've had for any company before. Toyota did it too with the FR-S. Their betrayal of me and the rest of the Gran Turismo-era fanboys still keeps me up at night.
 
The 2015 Nissan Z will be lighter, leaner and appeal to a more mainstream audience, Nissan's design boss Shiro Nakamura told Inside Line

Unveiling of the new Z concept could come as early as the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

Presumably, a lighter Nissan Z would return better gas mileage than the current version.

And that won't be achieved by making it bigger. "It cannot be any larger," he says. "It's at its maximum size now and should go leaner." By that he means lighter too, with the new model to feature a down-sized engine, probably a four-cylinder turbo rather than today's 3.7-liter V6. "It needs to be lighter, and more accessible to open the door to more people,"
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Insideline


It looks like Nissan will not make a new Silvia/ 240SX.
 
RocZX
Insideline

It looks like Nissan will not make a new Silvia/ 240SX.
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Might not matter since the next Z seems to close the gap between the current model and the BRZ/FRS. As long as it has better performance and good styling, Z fans will buy it, and if it's cheaper to buy and run, then it may attract customers from the BRZ/FRS market.

Personally, part of me is still expecting that Nissan will give us the ESFLOW in a few years. Looks stunning and it's much more compact than pictures make it look. Maybe even sub-Silvia sized, just electric.
 
The description sounds exactly like a more modern Silvia. Have always thought that, despite the size difference, the Genesis Coupe was the closest to a modern Silvia you could get... And if Nissan is moving in that direction (but lighter and cheaper), then we could likely see a 1.35 or 1.4 ton turbo four Nissan sports car tha will be a Silvia in all but name...

Fitting, since the Silvia was closer to the original ethos of the 240Z (affordable and light rear wheel drive sports car) than the later 300Z or 350Z were.
 
R1600Turbo
Future car shopping list:

- FR-S
- New Z
- New Miata

Hmmm....
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Unfortunately, waiting for the next Miata is like waiting for the next Gran Turismo game.

Edit: In more ways than one, actually. They keep doing little updates to the current one...
 
Eric.
Should we really expect the new Z to move $10k down-market?
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They could pack it with fancy driving technology,something along the line of a baby GT-R and still sell it at the same price range it's at now.
 
Info on the next gen. Z

Nissan will unveil its latest interpretation of a Z-Car at November’s Tokyo Motor Show.

Development boss Andy Palmer confirmed that the model, likely to appear as a concept, will be smaller and lighter than the current 370Z and could look quite different from a traditional sports car.

Power could come from a downsized turbocharged petrol engine although Palmer also stressed that he was keen to use electric power, too.

A high-powered Nismo version is on the agenda, too. “A sleek sports car is nice but not the way I want to address the next generation of sports car drivers,” Palmer told Auto Express. “Kids in the UK are not taking their driving test, so while my generation grew up adoring the sports car, we have to find a new way of reaching those customers. To me that is where the electric powertrain will rule.”

Palmer confirmed that the Juke Nismo offers some hints at what Nissan is looking at.

Palmer added: “Can we do something in the sports space? Yes we can. Does it need to look like a Toyota GT 86? No I don’t think so. Can it be more enjoyable to drive, a real sports car. Yes it can.”

“Do I know what it looks like? Yes I do. Have I driven it? Yes I have. When will you see it? Come to Tokyo.”
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AutoExpress
 
So, a high-riding 200Z, then? The 1.6T from the Juke matched with a hybrid drive system, pushing the output closer to 300BHP when paired together? It'd be interesting. Being able to run in electric-only mode would be great for fuel-economy as well.

Thing is, does Nissan really want to spend the money on a car that likely won't be a volume seller?



Who am I kidding. They didn't spend the money on the Versa, and they sell eleventy billion of them each year.
 
All for smaller and lighter, but Toyota has proven you don't need an electric drivetrain to make it a "true sports car". *cough*GT-86*cough* I know, its the future blah, blah. Just wish some cars could escape going that direction.
 
I really think the electric trend is a win-win. Eco friendly reputation just for saying electric, gobs of torque for actually using electric motors. 👍
Im definitely going to have an eye out for this when TMS hits.
 

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