TALAN7

Hope this hasn't already been discussed. Maybe now Mazda will double their efforts with a Mazdaspeed 8. What do you think?

TALAN7

Forgot the link

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=108154

BlueEyes

If they're bringing the GT-R over, I have a hard time seeing them bringing an AWD, 400hp, Z car. Since when is 400 hp uncontrollable with only RWD? I don't like the whole idea.

snizzle

So this would be a whole new model... the 450Z? or would it be the same 350Z visually with the V8 dumped in? Hmmm....


Yeah I don't get that either about the control.... C6 anyone?

TALAN7

It's not uncontrollable, but imagine 400 hp with awd, that'd be fast. Nissan may be responding to a new Supra before Toyota can finish it. If and when the Supra comes out and if there is a 450Z then Mazda would be hard pressed to do something. What do you do when your category takes it up a couple a notches.

BlueEyes

If they bring this out, it would have to be fairly cheap. The GT-R is rumored to be in the 70k range, this would have to be around 40, I would think. The car would be just as fast with RWD, and arguably, more fun. This obsession with AWD is starting to wear thin with me. I wonder if it would eat some sales from the GTR.

Shoehorning a V8 in the 350 and adjusting the price accordingly isn't having your category taking it up a couple nothces, it's nissan moving to a new category.

Pkskull77

I'd be interested in this car. All wheel drive would allow for better 1/4 mile and corner exit times.

Sephiroth

^ and add to the weight. Its probably going to be a special edition car or something.

snizzle

Yeah screw AWD. A new Z car should be RWD.

snizzle

Any Renesis based Mspd RX8 could not possibly touch a 350 w/400HP... unless Mazda is keeping a HUGE secret.

rx8wannahave

Weight distribution...they will have to figure something out here since their V8 will add more weight to the front. (That's the stating the obvious comment...lol)

If they can actually reduce some of the weight AND make the Z better looking (it looks good now but my GOD that butt has to go) while giving us another sports car within reach (NOT 70K...not that I would spend or could afford such a car, but for the greater sports car world good) that would be sweet.

Mazda...that's it, it's time for the "RETURN OF THE 3-ROTOR".

Anyway, I’m in the 22K price range so while I'll be happy there will be another sports car out there I really don't care since I got my 8 and I can't afford it anyway.

BlueEyes

Oh yeah, and good luck competing with porsche. Unless you're talking maybe blowing the Cayman/boxster away in a straight line.

DreRX8

Honestly this sounds bogus. More than likely this IS the Skyline GTR they are talking about. 450Z is all smoke and mirrors folks--especially if it hasn't been announced like the article says. Edmunds isn't exactly at the forefront of uncovering automotive news.

NgoRX8

iTrader: (1)

haha

Yes, it would be tough for nissan to compete with porsche.

If they go with this car, they should really keep it rwd. let the skyline take the awd factor.

BlueEyes

The GT-R had better come with more than 400 ponies.

DreRX8

Not sure--the GTR will probably be 420-450HP. Especially considering the last one was rated at JDM 280HP which in reality was in excess of 320HP

BlueEyes

well, if they're going to charge Z06 prices, I better get Z06 performance. That's all I know.

s13lover

I'm not too familure with the 350z, but is there even room in the engine bay for a V8? If not, I guess they could move to a rear mounted transaxle like is on the Vette (which would also help with weight distribution).

DreRX8

Well--since its AWD it will be near Z06. Remember the last 911 Turbo has been clocked to 60 in 3.8 seconds WITH the AUTOMATIC with much less than 450HP, but it is all-wheel drive. Hopefully they keep this car a Nissan and not guise it up as an Infiniti. I'm hoping that it comes in at not $70K but upper $50K like the last GTR. At $70K I think it'lll be a hard sell--considering the cult following for this car is composed of a much much younger crowd.

BlueEyes

0-60 is non sense. If it gets dusted on a roll, when their AWD advantage is negated, it will be hard to justify at 70k, at 50k, well that's easier to swallow. I guess we'll have to wait for it to come out.

playdoh43

this article smells like a lot of BS, nissan isnt stupid. it wouldnt sell too well. The credibility of the source is also pretty questionable, seems like they are just trying to stir up something out of nothing to me, theres no mention of where this UK magazine got the news from. Id have to call it bogus.

anywho the 4.5L V8 should fit IMO. The Z is a front midship car, with the engine placed behind the front axel to achieve mid engined car like handling. In my G35 coupe there is plenty of empty space right behind the front grill, i believe its the same case with the Z. The weight distribution would probably take a pretty big compromise with a V8 though, but id imagine theres ways to make it work. either way, to me its just pipe dreams just like the rumored twin turbo Z.

MadDog

No? Tell that to those guys in PR who are putting 350HP to the ground. That's more than 400HP at the crank of the Renesis

Moostafa29

The 350Z already weighs way too much for a coupe its size. Could you imagine how much extra weight a 4.5liter V8, and an AWD system would add? Unless they plan on making the body panels out of carbon fiber or fiberglass, I don't see it happening. And if they were to do that, look for prices to start in M3 territory.

snizzle

I'd be interested in reading about this.... explain to me the pathetic white mspd prototype? and why the aftermarket for the car is abysmal? You've gotta admit that tuning this engine is incredibly difficult and is probably the reason Mazda hasn't released an Mspd version yet.... the mods that would make the Mspd version worthwhile probably aren't cost effective for a production car, at least not yet.

I hope i'm wrong....

I guess this a topic for another thread though, back on track

Ajax

The white car put down 276 at the wheels. The blue car put down 304. I got those numbers from the dyno charts of the cars themselves. They were both very very conservatively tuned and the blue car used an extremely small turbo with an FMIC. The white car was supercharged with a TMIC (turbo 2 style).

Tuning isnt an issue for mazda. They just tune the ECU. Beyond mazda, there are very few people who can say the same.