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2009 Nissan 400Z Posted on 11.11.2006 09:45 by Andrew Avarvarii Nissan are preparing their sixth generation of the Z-line. Replacing the current 350Z after seven years of production, the next Nissan sportscar is expected to be launched in the year 2009. Carrying the 40-year tradition of the Z-cars, the new model will be lighter, more powerful and therefore a lot faster. The first Z was launched in 1969, when Nissan was still called Datsun. Named 240Z in , the sportscar was known as “Fairlady” in and US. Ever since, Nissan’s Z was the symbol of high-performance, all the cars wearing it being considered a competitor for the Porsches of that time. The latest Z model still in production is the 350Z. Launched in august 2002, it was the car to rehabilitate the Z-tag after the assembly of the 300Z stopped due to poor sales in the late 90’s. Offered as both a coupe and a roadster the 350Z proved to be a success, and sales are still good, after four years of fabrication. Probably by 2009, the situation will no longer be the same, as the car will have grown old by then. At that time, a new model will come to carry further the Z-badge. Wearing the internal code Z34, the new sportscar is expected to be called 400Z, as the engine displacement will probably have to grow up to 4-liters in order to keep up with the competition. All Z-models up until now had 6-cylinder engines. The first generations were straight-6es and the rest used a “V” configuration. Following the Z tradition, the 400z should feature a V6, but six cylinders are not enough for such a large displacement. Usually 4-liter engines are V8’s and Nissan is very likely to switch to that; although such a choice should make the car a lot more expensive. Another possibility is to maintain the current 3.5-liter displacement and offer some big turbos to boost the power. While less elegant and refined, this second choice would be cheaper. We should also consider that by then, Nissan will have another turbocharged coupe in the line-up, the new Skyline. This is why we consider that the V8 400Z is more probable. Either way, mated with the engine will be a refreshed 6-speed manual gearbox. The design will not be a revolution in comparison with the current 350Z, but it will be more grown-up and better put together. Our artist has prepared a few illustrations for show that provide a possible direction for the design of the 2009 400Z. General proportions will be the same, but the car is expected to grow a bit in all directions in order to increase interior room. One of the major points of criticism for the current 350 Z was that it was too heavy and therefore provided too much inertia. By 2009, Nissan will consider changing that by using light materials in the construction of their new sportscar. The coupe is most likely to be launched in 2009, and the roadster is expected to follow 2 years later. Prices are expected to range between $30,000 and $40,000. [ 本帖最后由 aRYip 于 2007-11-5 02:37 AM 编辑 ] |
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