2003 Z Car Preview and Sketch

[noelsaw]

Without a whole lot of national attention, Nissan unveiled a left rear quarter view sketch of the new 2003 Z car at the International Z car convention in Las Vegas. FreshAlloys' editors have seen sketches of the new Z before- not in great detail. The released sketch is consistent with our previous encounters. Very sharp angles, almost Teutonic (reminiscent of Porsche), and dare we say it...Ford's "new edge" design philosophy.

http://www.freshalloy.com/cars/nissan/images/z33.2002.a.jpg

According to sources it was confirmed that a normally aspirated version of the 3.5L VQ that will power the car and will be good for 300 horsepower. Closely related to the VQ30DE (in the Maxima) and a near twin to the VQ35DE (in the 2001 Pathfinder), this VQ will feature variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust valves, more aggressive cams, and a host of new enhancements. What's unknown is if the new Z will be offered with forced induction either through a turbo or supercharger. Some enthusiasts are lamenting the use of the VQ aluminum block thus preventing aggressive tuning of the engine by increasing the displacement or bumping up the boost if a forced induction version was indeed ever offered.

We have a new Z car preview article in the works with a new conceptual sketch by Robert Ledesma. Stay tuned!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Intersting, i see some z32 styling elements in the little window behind the drivers door. Still hard to make out anything else. The tail lights are very sharp, fitting with the design philosophy. When can we expect more info?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

There maybe turbos offered after the inital few years, thats if sales are good. But i wonder how far you could push the 35VQ engine? I mean most z32tt could easily get 600HP, so... http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/confused.gif

[dfw_alan]

The Z32TT could easily get 600HP? No fricken way it ain't no Supra engine. It takes a long long long list of mods.

By the time you get to ($15,000 later...) 600 HP, the major internal parts are no longer stock.... Unless you like watching engines go KA BOOM, or overheated on the side of the road after 1 minute at WOT.

All that you can ask of Nissan to do with the NA VQ35 is put on an overly large fuel system/injectors and a half decent ECU to control it. That makes turbocharging/supercharging so much easier on the wallet.

[noelsaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dacman:
The Z32TT could easily get 600HP? No fricken way it ain't no Supra engine. It takes a long long long list of mods.

By the time you get to ($15,000 later...) 600 HP, the major internal parts are no longer stock.... Unless you like watching engines go KA BOOM, or overheated on the side of the road after 1 minute at WOT.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay before it goes too far...if you guys want to discuss the VG30DETT, please start a new topic.

[dfw_alan]

I'm glad Nissan is sticking the VQ engine in the new Z. That is Nissan's best engine family, in terms of the overall package. The RB inline 6 is a finicky engine, and is not as reliable as everyone thinks it is (just watch any options video of highly tuned skylines shooting sharpnel from the engine bay towards the competitions tires LOL). For some reason Nissan has done a poor job of cooling their iron block engines, anyone who has taken the VG or RB engines and driven them on the autobahn has complained about exessive heat. Rhy's Millen run up pikes peak, the RB engine was overheating. Hopefully the aluminum's block will take car of this issue.

No doubt Japan will get a turbo version. Will it be the turbo version of this motor or the existing 3.0L version? I could have swore someone mentioned that the Z in Japan and America would be equiped with different engines?...

I glad they put fender flares on the Z. That was one the things I did not like on the Z32.... Just too flat and subtle on the sides. With wide rear tire does that mean Nissan has softened up at anti-squat rear suspension to please the Drag racers? http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif Though I prefer long twisty curves and hair pin turns.

Looking at that picture, I have a feeling the profile of the car will be similar to that of a porsche.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The aluminum engines have their share of heating problems to. At any rate I'm glad they used the vq even if they don't turbo it right away 300hp is plenty provided the car does'nt weigh as much as a caddy.

[This message has been edited by zbeast (edited 07-02-2000).]

[thearabian]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zbeast:
The aluminum engines have their share of heating problems to. At any rate I'm glad they used the vq even if they don't turbo it right away 300hp is plenty provided the car does'nt weigh as much as a caddy.

[This message has been edited by zbeast (edited 07-02-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

exacly, besides, 30k for 300HP is a great deal on a sports car!

[slowpoke]

Just curious... is that the NDI design or the Japanese design?

[mcervantes]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slowpoke:
Just curious... is that the NDI design or the Japanese design?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nissan wouldn't say. But it's most likely NDI's.

[dfw_alan]

Does anyone have a copy of the August issue of Road and track?

It is said to have an artist picture of the entire 2003. Whether that is Road and Track's intretation or Nissan's, I don't know.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I've been going crazy looking for the new Road and Track. Looks like on subscribers get it early before it reaches the new stand. The picture that was unveiled at the Las Vegas convention, is a teaser! Only a portion of it but I guess its cool. The engine I was really hoping for a engine similar to the Skyline. But it does make sense to use a engine that is used in their other cars. If you guys check out www.Zhome.com (http://www.Zhome.com) There is a very nice drawing form a German magazine in there. That Z is very close to the earlier Z's design. I wouldn't hesitate to buy that one. Also if you scroll to the bottom of the main page there are some more drawings submitted which I feel are very good.

I really hope its designed by Japan, because all the other Z's were. But I have a feeling it will be NDI department. I'm really not happy with NDI's design, for example I had a chance to look at the Frontier Supercharged car up close. The styling is.... very interesting but I really don't like it. I'm really hoping for a Japan design. But we'll see when more comes out the car.

Zya
Yuichi
ZDriver.com

1969 510
1971 240Z Turbo http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif

[dfw_alan]

Hey yuichi, do you have any pics of your '71 turbo Z?

[This message has been edited by dacman (edited 07-04-2000).]

[jochi]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slowpoke:
Just curious... is that the NDI design or the Japanese design?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm guessin it's a NDI design....... since they did say it was gonna be 'wheel oriented'...... when I heard that I almost went nuts, since the new Frontier just debuted with those tacked on fender flairs. I'm glad to see that if it is an NDI design, the flairs actually make the Z look expensive and classy.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

dacman,

Unfortunately my pictures of my Z aren't up on the site yet, The car still needs to be painted and a few little small things before I take some pictures. But a turbo swap from a 280ZXT is basically a direct bolt in and is fairly common in early Z's http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif check out www.Zdriver.com (http://www.Zdriver.com) in our photo gallery i'm sure there are a few turbo cars there.
As far as the NDI's design of flares. Flares have always been popular with Z's I got some flares even for my 510, which can also be seen at the 510 gallery at Zdriver.com The thing that I don't like about the frontier is I think it should have more of a clean look, the bumpers just kinda stick out, the flares I feel should be a clean look with none of those rivets. I don't know what they were aiming for, but me personally and some guys that I know that like trucks like the clean look, no bulgy bumpers, flares that are clean http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

If you look at the 2002 Preview Cars I think its by Consumer Editor. But a quote there was a quote in there that said NDI has yet to design something that brought success to Nissan. Not sure exactly what they said but check it out for yourself http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gifI'm not sure who designed the Xterra but that I admit was a great design! the 2001 version I believe is designed by NDI right?But look at the cars in japan, Pulsar Gti, Silvia, Skyline think of is Japan brought that to the US?

Anyways thats enough blabbing for me http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif
Zya
Yuichi
&lt;img src="http://zdriver.com/images/logo/zdriver1_small.jpg" border=0&gt;

[noelsaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Yuichi:


If you look at the 2002 Preview Cars I think its by Consumer Editor. But a quote there was a quote in there that said NDI has yet to design something that brought success to Nissan. Not sure exactly what they said but check it out for yourself http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gifI'm not sure who designed the Xterra but that I admit was a great design!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would disagree with anyone saying that NDI "has yet to design something that brought success to Nissan."

The Xterra is an NDI design. Also look at the first gen Altima. That saved Nissan in the U.S. First gen Pathfinder made import SUVs popular. Quest in it's later days didn't sell that great but the first few years had good sales. The fourth gen Maxima also was very sucessful. All NDI designs. Granted the J30 was a flop and the current Maxima to me doesn't look that great...

[Deadpool]

I for once loves Infiniti J30's styling. it somewhat resembles Mazda 929. and the rear end. well i know most ppl hate it but i love the styling over all. Also i love the styling of current generation Altima and Maxima. they arent ugly and defenitly not as boring as camcord or other honda/toyota vehicles.

http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I just hope to god that this new Z weigh's less than 2 tons

[This message has been edited by zbeast (edited 07-06-2000).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Noel,

Yah I guess your right NDI hasn't really been that bad. But the Z has been under japan design since 69-till 96 the last year of the Z. Why did they stop producing the 300ZX's it was because of too many gadjets being put on making the price too high. You have to remeber why the original Z's were popular. They were cheaper then most of the competition. Ofcourse the 240Z was influenced or pretty much copied the Jaguar, but most of japanese designs back then and maybe now is copied. But nissan with the new Z's should sell a very basic package to keep prices low and sell options along with it if the customer wants those options. Ofcourse nowadays A/C is almost a must have http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif I know cause I got now A/c but it ain't killing me too much. As far as your comment on the Xterra and altima. The new altima at least I feel is my favorite new Nissan car out now. That thing handles nicely and the power is very decent. The design isn't great but its a nice ride.

Neal off topic question but are you guys Backed by Nissan? =D

I just think nissan needs to remeber what got them so successfull from the early Datsun beginnings http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif Also bring back the 510 and Roadster! The 1990-93 SE-R was 510's big brother, great car!

Zya
Yuichi
Zdriver.com

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Here's the sketch of the new Z from Road & Track magazine. The link is http://members.aol.com/huginnx/ .....
Check it out

[**DONOTDELETE**]

hmm.. I was just about to post that same link.. But I guess someone beat me too it http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif To me this pictures doesn't seem to match the 2003 picture that is signed by Yutaka Katayama(Datsun Prez). It looks like a Z32 (2nd gen 300ZX 90-96) with a front end with the earlier Z hood, and lights and front end sort of a Honda S2000. I'd be happier if they use the signature 240Z-280ZX bucket style lights.. But what can you do http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif

Zya
Yuichi
Zdriver.com

[JonCarson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by kashif35:
Here's the sketch of the new Z from Road & Track magazine. The link is http://members.aol.com/huginnx/ .....
Check it out<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In that pic I see Z32 C-pillar, Supra air-dam, and SLK headlights.

I agree with Yuichi. I think they should try to incorporate bucket style headlights reminiscient of earlier Z-cars.

Does anyone mind if I just post the pic here?
http://members.aol.com/huginnx/zrt.jpg

[This message has been edited by carsonjon (edited 07-06-2000).]

[dfw_alan]

I would guess that is just "Steve's" interpretation of what the new Z is going to look like. He must really like that dealer marked up, overpriced, wimpy rice mobile.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Ok Dacman is right, the reason I get so caught up in it, is because.... jerry said the design would be done the design would be finished as seen below

"Hirshberg said his retirement had been planned for five years, since he signed his last employment contract with his Nissan Motor bosses in Japan. His last day as president of Nissan Design International will be his 60th birthday, the same day the Z sports car will be a finished design." (Automotive News)

This made me believe the new design is out. The image with the signature at the Las vegas convention, is said to be the actual thing. Right now I don't know what to believe. Even Busybeetoys.com are getting attention because I feel all their designs are pretty much fake. But its interesting to see and I believed some of them at first. I guess we can only pass judgement when the actual Z metal form is out http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif
http://www.busybeetoys.com/SCOOP/scoop-2000-04-03.htm

busybee has like 5 or 6 different Z concepts, all fake http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif

Zya
Yuichi
Zdriver.com

p.s. isn't FreshAlloy.com backed by Nissan? hmmm ... heheheh

[noelsaw]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Yuichi:

Ok Dacman is right, the reason I get so caught up in it, is because.... jerry said the design would be done the design would be finished as seen below

"Hirshberg said his retirement had been planned for five years, since he signed his last employment contract with his Nissan Motor bosses in Japan. His last day as president of Nissan Design International will be his 60th birthday, the same day the Z sports car will be a finished design." (Automotive News)

This made me believe the new design is out. The image with the signature at the Las vegas convention, is said to be the actual thing. Right now I don't know what to believe. Even Busybeetoys.com are getting attention because I feel all their designs are pretty much fake. But its interesting to see and I believed some of them at first. I guess we can only pass judgement when the actual Z metal form is out http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif
http://www.busybeetoys.com/SCOOP/scoop-2000-04-03.htm

busybee has like 5 or 6 different Z concepts, all fake http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/wink.gif

Zya
Yuichi
Zdriver.com

p.s. isn't FreshAlloy.com backed by Nissan? hmmm ... heheheh<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No. We're not backed by Nissan. We'll take their money if the want to give it to us. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif In all seriousness, we want to remain an indpendent voice for the Nissan enthusiast community.

Since, there's a new thread with both the Nissan released sketch and our FreshAlloy.com sketch, let me close this thread.