Skip to main content

2015 Nissan Z: Light, lean, and a little less mean?

2015 Nissan Z Light, lean, and a little less mean?
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When it comes to automotive design, tweaking and improving upon existing platforms can prove to be a tricky endeavor. Sure adding more ponies is always nice, but with the seemingly endless fluctuation in gasoline prices automakers are turning their collective attentions to making cars that are lighter, leaner and more fuel efficient. For enthusiasts this can make for difficult transitions as more and more companies are opting to drop heftier V8s and V6s in favor of smaller, turbocharged displacements. Case in point: the next Nissan Z.

According to Inside Line, Nissan is already hard at work on a concept version of the 2015 Z that could appear at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. In an interview with Nissan’s head of design, Shiro Nakamura, the next Z will likely be lighter and leaner than the current class.

And we can’t say we’re surprised. The current 370Z coupe tips the scales at 3,314 pounds. Nakamura says the Z “cannot be any larger,” stating that the car is already “at its maximum weight.” We’re guessing that’s where the “lighter and leaner” aspects come into play, which is all well and good considering the current Z is burdened with an uninspiring EPA rated 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

But what about the power?! Well, that too could get downsized. In an effort to appeal towards a “wider audience” and with the Subaru BRZ and Scion FRS flying off the lots – offering up a heightened and engaging drive experience at a base price that is roughly $5,000 less than a standard Z — the course of actions seems to point towards ditching the Z’s current 2.7-liter VQ V6 for a turbocharged four-cylinder. In theory such a move should greatly benefit fuel economy and bring about a more competitive price point. Sounds good to us.

Of course moving towards a smaller platform won’t be easy as Nissan will have to take into consideration certain production obstacles. Right now the Z shares its FM platform with the Infiniti G Coupe, G Sedan, and the Infiniti FX. Developing an entirely new platform won’t exactly be cost-effective, and from a production perspective could place the next Z at a disadvantage over the BRZ and FRS, which share a development platform.

Whatever happens we’re certainly interested to see how the next Z incarnation turns out. Our inner speed-demon might be a little concerned over a potential loss in horsepower, but if Nissan delivers a light, lean, and just as mean Z with better fuel economy, well then, we’re on board. 

Editors' Recommendations

Amir Iliaifar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Associate Automotive Section Editor for Digital Trends, Amir Iliaifar covers the ever increasing cross-section between tech…
Outdo your neighbors with this Nissan Leaf mobile Christmas tree
nissan leaf electric car turned into mobile christmas tree

Previous

Next

Read more
Nissan teams up with EVgo to provide free charging of Leaf vehicles in U.S.
2019 nissan leaf plus review 11

Nissan and EVgo have announced that they are providing new Nissan Leaf owners and lessees access to EVgo's U.S. charging network through a new program, called Nissan Energy Perks by EVgo. Nissan is hoping that the new program will encourage more U.S.-based drivers to switch over to an electric vehicle. Through the program, Nissan will provide $250 in charging credits to EVgo's 750 public charging station locations with more than 1,200 fast chargers. The program is for new or lease purchases of the Leaf or Leaf Plus made either on or after November 1, 2019.

"Nissan is a longtime leader in electric vehicles and this new partnership with EVgo will give Nissan Leaf owners confidence powered by tens of thousands of chargers across America," said Aditya Jairaj, director of EV sales and marketing for Nissan North America. "Convenient access to public chargers can be incredibly helpful for Leaf owners in their day-to-day lives."

Read more
Fiat-Chrysler pressured dealers to take extra inventory to boost sales numbers
2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Recently Fiat-Chrysler reported 40,000 vehicles backed up in storage lots, which was causing tension with its dealers. Back in 1980 and again in 2009, during its two worst financial crises, Chrysler used a tactic called "sales banks" to inflate their sales numbers. Instead of constantly slowing and speeding production to meet variations in demand, Their factories work at full capacity year-round. Any unsold cars are “banked” in storage lots until demand picks up, and dealers are generally pushed into taking as many of these cars as possible.

Investors and financial analysts frown upon the practice of sales banks because it can look like the company has falsified inventory figures. Dealers across the country do not like the practice because it can pressure them to take on greater numbers of vehicles than they want. Some dealers do see an upside to this practice, since if they need a certain model or trim package in a hurry odds are it will just be sitting there waiting for them, even if the manufacturer may try and use that vehicle as bait to unload more banked inventory.

Read more