All hail the Nissan "Zuke" - new Z-car to be a crossover

[samoht]

Nope, it's not the first of April.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-nissan-z-car-be-crossover

http://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/nissan-z-suv-news-20121022_0005.jpg?itok=Zs5VDYeA
(pic from autocar)

"The Japanese brand has been weighing up a variety of options on where to take the famous Z brand as the current 370Z is phased out by 2017. It has considered a higher-powered sports car and a cheaper, more basic four-cylinder model - as previewed by the iDx compact coupé concepts that were revealed at the Tokyo motor show in 2013.

However, sources indicate that Nissan has settled on a more radical solution: making the next Z car a small sports crossover."

"The Juke is expected to evolve for its next incarnation, which will bring a switch to the same CMF B platform as the new Z crossover ... Its engine line-up will be able to include the full range of 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines."

So basically just like the Juke, but different. Doh!

[Rare White Ape]

So uhhhh why not a six cylinder turbo hybrid wedged into a 2-seat RWD coupe?

Duh. Old mate wouldn't have even cooled down yet and Nissan is already looking to rape the Z badge.

He would not approve.

http://www.rutamotor.com/wp-content/gallery/datsun-z-creador/Yutaka-katayama-1.jpg

[novicius]

So there will be a new Z-crossover AND a next gen Juke? :erm:

#deathoftheZ

[Kchrpm]

I refuse to believe this :|

[KillerB]

Part of me is hoping FCA merges with Mazda. Marchionne is crazy enough to fund final development of the 16X.

[SkylineObsession]

That's it, i'm moving to Mars.

[samoht]

So there will be a new Z-crossover AND a next gen Juke? :erm:

#deathoftheZ

Yeah, there will be a Juke Mk2 on the new version of the shared Renault Clio platform, and then a new Z as well on the same platform - I guess it'll be a kind of Juke coupe, perhaps without the rear doors.

#deathoftheZ indeed, the number of manufacturers are prepared to invest in bespoke platforms for sports cars is dwindling by the year (and yes, I know the Z33/34 are on a Skyline exec saloon platform, but at least it's a RWD one). Hard to replace the FD when there are so few options for a new sports car.

[The359]

So now the Crossover Z can continue to fight the Crossover Evo?

[Mirage]

Man nissan just keeps piling on the reasons for me to not buy another vehicle built by them. Too bad their idea of building excitement is using red cars in the commercials that do CGI stunts, instead of actually BUILDING excitement.

[Yw-slayer]

Don't replace the FD unless you have to.

[Kchrpm]

A little info on the CMF-B that is referenced: http://blog.alliance-renault-nissan.com/blog/infographic-cmf-renault-nissan-alliances-modular-architecture-system

CMF is what they call their entire modular architecture system. The B signifies a relative size, but covers the entire mid-size family, from sedans to hatchbacks to SUVs (A is for micro-sized cars intended for developing markets). It's likely the next Pulsar (which we don't get in America, but looks damn good in Nismo concept form (http://jalopnik.com/nissan-pulsar-nismo-concept-a-250-hp-return-to-hot-hat-1641624418)) will be on that platform.

So what are the possibilities that we get a baby GTR? AWD, turbo 4, basically a lowered, shortened Juke Nismo RS. That makes more sense for the market than a 2-door crossover. Seriously, who is out there in that market saying the Juke is too big. Not too tall, but too big.

[Rikadyn]

Japan might, but it'd need to become a Kei car to fix the main issue there...

[Kchrpm]

Not a good sign :(

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/09/07/nissan-crossover-concept-frankfurt/


The only other info we have is a cryptic line from Nissan's press release: "So can Nissan continue to innovate and move the bar higher? What if Nissan created a new way to feel driving excitement? The answer will come at the Frankfurt Motor Show."

[samoht]

Nissan teaser image from Autoblog:
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/4580x2580+0+619/resize/800x450!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/b5dda6ec5da8a665b488d8129159937/202594508/nissan.jpg

Certainly Autocar think this is it, noting that the black bonnet has been traditional on Nissan rally cars. Moving the bar "higher"... :|

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Datsun_Fairlady_Z_Rally_001.JPG
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/HERITAGE/img/modelDetail/uploader/data/en/Web/1317178180924005600.jpg

[Kchrpm]

*sigh* I like the Rally Fighter, but I don't want the Z to become one :(

[Freude am Fahren]

Nissan teaser image from Autoblog:
http://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/4580x2580+0+619/resize/800x450!/format/jpg/quality/85/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/b5dda6ec5da8a665b488d8129159937/202594508/nissan.jpg


https://abagond.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/yangchinkee.jpg

Can't unsee

[Kchrpm]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TthFMKXB28

[novicius]

...

What if, even with the extra weight and higher CG, it performs? :assclown:

[Kchrpm]

I don't like sitting in tall cars. In sedans/coupes, I lower the seat as much as I can.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it's not about ultimate performance for me. I don't care if the CVT/AWD version is faster, I want the manual/RWD version. I don't care if the CUV version is just as fast, I want the low-riding coupe one.

[novicius]

...yet you didn't buy an 86. ;) #justmessin'

[Kchrpm]

Yes, because it did not perform well on the highway, which is where I spend most of my driving time :)

[Kchrpm]

http://jalopnik.com/the-nissan-gripz-concept-is-a-z-inspired-crossover-that-1730745581

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--8nxZK7Bh--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/d2ehiuwycdgv9q5gizxz.jpg

[Godson]

What. In. The. Fuck.

[novicius]

Looking forward to seeing Bryan humble some traditionalists in one. :D :up:

[Kchrpm]

He didn't race his Juke, why would he race this?

[novicius]

What? He drove the NISMO Juke GT-R at a track, I thought?

[Kchrpm]

He did drive a Juke R, with the GT-R drivetrain, at Dubai. That is not the car he leased, a Juke Nismo RS. He just used that for people/parts hauling, from what I can tell.

If they're going to do a version of this with a GT-R drivetrain, I'm sure it will be fast, but it will also cost hundreds of thousands of dollars (the Juke R 2.0 costs almost $600k).

Edit: I hadn't even read the article far enough to see that the only details they're giving about the Gripz drivetrain is that it's a hybrid with an automatic. Worthy replacement to the Z!

[novicius]

I didn't say he leased the GT-R nor raced his personal Juke -- just saying that he has had a chance (ordered?) to drive some NISMO wetworks, that's all.

Personally, I say this thing doesn't even go into production. I guess Nissan is thinking that if you want Nissan-made Grand Touring Sportiness, buy a GT-R. For everyone else, they get a Sentra or Juke. #shrug #Zedisdead

[Kchrpm]

By "humbling traditionalists" I thought you meant that he was going to beat them at an autocross competition of some sort. It's not really humbling to say "we stuck a GT-R drivetrain in something, now it's very fast."

No shit.

Edited after edit: Indeed, Nissan is leaving the market, it seems, after the market has just dwindled to too small of a point. Sad but inevitable.

[KillerB]

Perfect opening for a new two-seater coupe from Japan. Now that Mazda is back on a solid footing (Skyactiv engines are on the market and the Mexican factory is open) - let's get that 16X on the market!

[Kchrpm]

Privately made prototype?

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--kx3Xk-2t--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/nzxmuwd1qqwko6l5qzig.gif

[MR2 Fan]

reminds me of the Rally Fighter somehow

[thesameguy]

Sorta silly.

Sorta totally awesome!!!

[Kchrpm]

Is this the catch-all Nissan sporty-car thread? Can it be?

http://jalopnik.com/this-new-bladeglider-prototype-is-the-most-interesting-1784817642

Updated BladeGlider to be shown in Rio this month. Electric RWD 3-seater.

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--vCXxeTK8--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/behoafbafw7oq3dlpgeu.jpg

[Godson]

Anyone call for the Delta wing to own as a DD?

[Godson]

Also. Back end screams of the LF-A

[novicius]

I wonder how the tire wear is on the fronts?

[CudaMan]

I love that off road / rally 350Z. From that gif it appears to use stock front suspension pieces, at least up top.

The thing still nearly high-centered on that hill. :lol: Long wheelbase, low chassis...

[MR2 Fan]

Just noticed the bladeglider....LOVE IT!

The idea of another 3-seater design, but this time easier to get in and out of...plus it can be a global car with no modifications for the "driver's side".