corvettez06usa
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- Jul 31, 2015
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- Cincinnati, OH
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- 2015 Mustang GT
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A friend and I had a discussion recently about the future of the Z. In its current form, it started waaaaaay back in 2003 (Christ, it doesn't feel all that long ago) and is in dire need of a "refresh" or "reboot". Not so much the styling or its performance, but in that its market segment is leaving it behind. While I'll be the first to point out the Z is a sports car and not quite there with Mustangs and Camaros, I think this car does get cross shopped a lot with them because of its price and relative performance. Also the Z has a rich heritage in the US much like the other two, I don't think it is an insult to consider them all peers. Anyway I was curious what others thought. I see 3 possible scenarios, all of which I like, but one more than the rest:
With the rise of interest in lightweight RWD platforms thanks to the BRZ/FRS, Nissan has stated considering throwing a car into the mix. While rumors suggest they would add a car to their fleet to fulfill it (possible Silvia revival?) I think it would be possible for the Z to go on hiatus and return completely different to fit into this market segment (and would be true to its roots to boot.)
Get a hand-me-down from big sister, the GTR. Not sure if the package would fit, but I do remember way before the GTR was born they used a G35 as a test mule. I also think the GTR has Z/G coupe underpings does it not?
Take the Titan V8 and rework it for sports car use. I like this idea a lot mainly because Toyota has a wicked V8 in their RC F. Would allow for a Lexus competitor in the form of Infiniti.
While I think a V8 in the current Z would be bad ass, I think it would alienate the tuner type folks who might be the only ones keeping this thing alive. Nissan has had a hard time moving the car that they even chopped off a sizely amount from the MSRP back in 2013 I believe. They also rank pretty high in insurance premiums because they are expensive to fix, so that could support the first scenario. What y'all think?
With the rise of interest in lightweight RWD platforms thanks to the BRZ/FRS, Nissan has stated considering throwing a car into the mix. While rumors suggest they would add a car to their fleet to fulfill it (possible Silvia revival?) I think it would be possible for the Z to go on hiatus and return completely different to fit into this market segment (and would be true to its roots to boot.)
Get a hand-me-down from big sister, the GTR. Not sure if the package would fit, but I do remember way before the GTR was born they used a G35 as a test mule. I also think the GTR has Z/G coupe underpings does it not?
Take the Titan V8 and rework it for sports car use. I like this idea a lot mainly because Toyota has a wicked V8 in their RC F. Would allow for a Lexus competitor in the form of Infiniti.
While I think a V8 in the current Z would be bad ass, I think it would alienate the tuner type folks who might be the only ones keeping this thing alive. Nissan has had a hard time moving the car that they even chopped off a sizely amount from the MSRP back in 2013 I believe. They also rank pretty high in insurance premiums because they are expensive to fix, so that could support the first scenario. What y'all think?
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