Report
from Detroit by Tom Bell
Dateline:
January 8th, 2001
I spent about two hours with the photographers at
the Detroit show last night. I also interviewed John Yukawa, the
Chief Product Specialist for the new 350Z prototype show car (he
was featured in the roll-out presentation at the show) We talked
for about fifteen minutes. I had time to take lots of good digital
images, and so on....
My first thoughts are that the car lacks the proportions that Z
car enthusiasts are used to. It's shorter and wider than previous
Z car designs, and the greenhouse is not as high either. It looks
a bit 'frumpy' (now THERE's a good word!).
The FreshAlloy photoshop altered image, shown on the internet after
the show, wasn't a bad idea, but it still won't improve the overall
proportions of the car. IMO, it needs more hood length, a higher
arched greenhouse, and a more squared rear end. You either like
it or you don't: most of the press I met were not enthusiastic about
the car, and one from Automobile Magazine stated flatly that it
looked like a version of the Audi TT.... I have to agree.
I think
it looks a lot like the Toyota MR-S also. BUT - it's 'better' than
the rebodied 240 SX/Z Concept that Nissan made up in 1999 in my
opinion.
The present concept is finished very well: the details show that
they've spent lots of time on the car. There's a tilt wheel, and
it's possible that they could fit adjustable pedals. Little things,
like the hatch latch work, the engine starts and runs (but it is
NOT the VQ powerplant!), the headlights and brake lights work, and
so on. So, what we're seeing here is pretty close to what we'd get
at the dealer - maybe 80 to 90 percent. OK. So the concept is pretty
close...?
When I talked with Yukawa-san, I asked him what will change. He
said that the front end and rear end would change in production.
The bumpers don't meet standards yet, nor do the turn signals and
such. I suggested that he round the grille opening, and possibly
recess it slightly, underneath the bumper, in a way similar to the
Z32. He thought that was an interesting idea.
We
also tallked about the roof line, and he is considering a change
to it to make it flow in more of a curve. Personally, I hope this
means more headroom, and a higher, better proportioned greenhouse.
The current visibility from the driver's seat is terrible! It has
nothing to do with my 6'4" height either: there's headroom inside
for me, and the seats adjust to fit me.
Power
train options are what we knew with one or two notes: the concept
uses a 5 speed auto tranny, which is a 'Tiptronic' style. You can
see this on the console, where you can see the plus and minus symbols
for the shifter: forward goes up a gear, backward goes down one.
It's gotta be a production box. The 6 speed transmission is not
installed in either car yet.
There
will be ABS and limited slop/slip differentials. Brakes were interesting:
the Concept Z has slotted vented rotors in front with 4 piston calipers,
and slotted solid ones in back with 2 pistion calipers. The parking
brake will be integrated into the hub of the rear rotor, like the
Z32, according to Yukawa-san. The concept car has this already installed
too.
The
engine spec's are a bit confusing: Gohsen said 280 HP in his announcement,
but the spec sheets show 265. The weight is also unknown, but has
to be less than the Z32 if they're going to get sub-6 second times.
There will be NO turbo, but Yukawa-san hinted strongly at a more
powerful version [perhaps an R version like the Sentra SE-R with
300 or so HP????? I was told by someone else that it's possible
with the right tuning and some work on the heads: exhaust and intake.
I was also told that the engine was 'de-tuned' for the prototype,-
but the show car doesn't have the VQ engine, and Yukawa-sand would
not comment, so take this with a grain of salt.]
The
brushed metal interior, seats and instrument panels most likely
will be reworked for production. That's too bad: they LOOK fabulous!
The contrast of colors was chosen very carefully to show off the
details in the car. And it does glow under the lights.
Other
information: Yukawa-san stated that the convertible version is in
development, and he expects prototypes to be ready within two or
three months. There will be no 2+2 version - just coupes. He and
I talked about colors too. I understood him to say that the car
would be available in silver, red and blue, but he did not say that
it would be available in the coppertone of the show car. I mentioned
to him that I had seen the paint color on the Prowler at the nearby
Chrysler display, and that I thought a deep metalic paint would
be very popular. He acknowledged my comment.
Yukawa-san
also stated that Nissan was considering very strongly backing an
entry into racing, which is what Mr. K. did to popularize the Z's
performance. He said that they were studying the rules for SCCA
classes, to see where the Z fit. I HOPE that Nissan has the money
to do this, because that would mean development work for the engine
and chassis that we could use too. More work for Jim Wolf?
I
also asked Yukawa-san whether he would own one of these cars, and
he said no. That's strange to me - he's been living with this car
for three years.
I
will not buy one, but that's my personal decision. I won't buy an
Audi TT either. I'm told that the target marketing group for this
car is the 30-ish crowd that wants a Porsche Boxster, and also the
aging baby boomers.
Unfortunately,
I fall into that latter category. I bought my Z32 in part because
I loved the styling. My generation was raised on sports cars from
Britain and Italy: The E type Jaguar, the Austin Healey the Shelby
Cobra, the Ferrari GTO's, and so on.
I
see NOTHING in the new Z prototype styling that flows and creates
an image of power and grace, like the Z32. If Jaguar can make their
new cars flow, Porsche make the Boxster look like it's in motion,
and Aston Martin can make the Vantage, then why did Nissan not do
this to the Z? It can have all the 'Z DNA' you want inside in round
instruments, but I look at the outside first.
----->>
Tom Bell
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