Nissan 370Z 2013 News

The iconic Datsun 1600 could be revived as a budget-priced rear-drive sports-coupe, if this Nissan concept car from the Tokyo motor show is a guide. The IDx Nismo concept took centre stage on the Nissan stand -- ahead of the updated GT-R -- with two models: a retro-themed lime green standard car and a sports model with hints of rally versions of early Datsun 1600s.The concept car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine which drives the rear wheels. Company insiders say it could fill the void left by the exit of the Nissan 200SX and be a cheaper alternative to the Nissan 370Z.Nissan says many of the designers of the IDx were people who "grew up playing racing simulation games" and fell in love with the iconic Datsun 1600, which is older than many of the people who designed the IDx.The original Datsun 1600 was a favourite among professional and amateur rally drivers because of its nimble frame, powerful engine and rear-drive chassis.Nissan has not confirmed the IDx will go into production but if early reaction to the car at the show is a guide, the Japanese company will be buoyed by the positive response.Here’s hoping the modern Datsun 1600 gets a green light faster than the Nissan GT-R did. Nissan showed the concept GT-R in 2001 but the production version wasn’t released until late 2007. Watch the desktop version of the Nissan IDx concepts video here.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling_______________________________________ 

In a stronger push for sales before the close of the 2013 books, Nissan has sliced the price tags of the 370Z range, and is offering driveaway pricing on the entry level six-speed manual Coupe until December 31. The price movement means the formerly $69,890 Coupe is $12,960 cheaper at $56,930 and can be driven away for $59,990 until the end of the year.  The seven-speed auto Coupe also drops $12,960 from $72,890 to $59,930. The Roadsters models each slice $10,960, with the manual dropping from $76,890 to $65,930 and the auto from $79,890 to $68,930. To date, Nissan has sold 290 370Zs for 2013, compared to 372 last year – with the sports hero Toyota 86 moving 5892 in that time.  "We certainly hope it will invigorate sales," Nissan Australia spokesman Chris Jordan says. "We're confident in the product and now we're confident the adjusted pricing will let more sports car fans consider the 370Z. It's about opening the car up to a larger slice of the market." The 370Z is powered by a 3.7-litre, double overhead cam V6 petrol engine developing 245kW of power and 363Nm of torque. Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, climate-control airconditioning,  satellite navigation and a 9.3GB hard disk with a Bose sound system. Nissan 370Z range 370Z Coupe (Manual): from $56,930 (-$12,960) $59,990 driveaway 370Z Coupe (Auto): from $59,930 (-$12,960) 370Z Roadster (Manual): from $65,930 (-$10,960) 370Z Roadster (Auto): from $68,930 (-$10,960) This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

It's only a couple of days since we saw a Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG race against a downhill longboarder on South Africa's Franschhoek Pass in a stunning bit of video.

Williams is providing lightweight parts including a new exhaust and carbon-fibre panels, while Nismo is tweaking the twin-turbo V6.The Nismo GT-R is expected in showrooms next year, including Australia, as the flagship of a range that already includes the Micra, Juke and 370Z in Europe.

Nissan Z fans rejoice – your new hero is almost here. A new smaller, lighter, faster replacement for the 370Z is on its way to the Tokyo Motor Show. Nissan executive vice president, Andy Palmer said in an interview with Auto Express about the Z car: “Do I know what it looks like? Yes I do. Have I driven it? Yes I have. When will you see it? Come to Tokyo.”Nissan is expected to release the production version of the next generation sports car, codenamed Z35, around this time next year. This makes the Japanese motor show in December the best opportunity to showcase a close to production concept version.For the first time in its 45 year history, the Z car may feature less than six cylinders, relying instead on turbocharging to beat its predecessor. The Z35 could even benefit from Nissan’s significant investment into hybrid and electric sports car technology. Recently, Nissan revealed what it claims is the world’s fastest electric car, the 300km/h ZEOD RC which will make its debut at the 24 hour LeMans race.Nissan has been keen to promote its credentials as an electric performance car manufacturer, and first signalled its intentions to electrify the Z car with the Esflow concept in 2011. The all-electric sports car featured Zed-esque body styling, opening the options for an electric future. Reports suggest that its larger sibling, the flagship GT-R will also have a hybrid system, but that won’t be due until 2015.Until the Z35 is revealed in Tokyo, Nissan will continue furthering its performance focus with a NISMO version of the Z35 also under way. NISMO is Nissan’s motorsport and performance division, created in 1984 to enhance the company’s racing credentials.  Since then it has become one of the most respected nameplates amongst fans of Japanese sports cars.  

...in all its glory.

It is not aiming for first overall, but believes it can overtake Mazda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi to become the country's favourite all- import brand. Nissan is already doing better with everything from the supercar GT-R to the Maxima, 370Z and Murano, and believes the next-generation Tiida - which could revert to the Pulsar name when it lands in 2011 - will push it to the top. "Our market apsiration is to be the number one full importer in this company. That's the objective for 2012," says Dan Thompson, managing director of Nissan Australia. "Where we sit now is number two or number three. Mazda is now clearly the number one . . . in recent times Hyundai has joined the party so we have three players vying for that spot. We want to leapfrog Mazda by 2012, with two years of brand building and the next generation of cars." It sounds like a big call, and it will not be easy, but Thompson believes Nissan will have the vehicles to get the numbers for position one. "This business isn't rocket science. You have the right products ... and the rest ... and you have market success," he says. Thompson says the next piece of the product puzzle, following the front-wheel drive Dualis price fighter revealed last week, is the Z Roadster. "It's all falling into place. The results are being delivered just as we had planned," he says. "The goal is to be sitting at six per cent. We were at 5.9 last year." It won't dramatically change in fiscal 2010 until the core volume volume models - that's the new Micra and Tiida - arrive." Nissan has tagged its plan as GT2012, but it's not just about numbers. "G is for growth and T is for trust," Thompson says. "The GT-R is a fantastic story. It's not about volume, it's about branding. We sold 300 cars but we had 20,000 visitors to our site each week to check out the car. "Murano, Maxima, Z and GT-R have far exceeded our planning. The Dualis is the fifth piece." He says the biggest problem for Nissan in 2009 is getting sufficient stock of its biggest sellers, including the Navara. "We're restrained by limitations on stock. Even outside of that the big challenge for all of us is what is the natural level of demand."

Those familiar with the venerable 240Z from the 1970s will see some of its classic design cues in the 370Z.The newcomer boasts a sleek aerodynamic shape with a dramatic cantilevered roof — shared with the GT-R — and a road-hugging profile.The bigger-engined 370Z replaces the 360Z, which established itself as a favourite with enthusiasts.The 370Z’s sleek silhouette is defined by its upswept rear-quarter window design, echoed in the upward curve of the sheet metal around the rear wheels that gives the car a moulded look.Nissan designers have paid attention to the car’s detailing and functionality.The turn indicator has been integrated into the Z logo mounted between the front wheel and door, while both the front and rear light clusters curve into the bodywork. Quality is up and the cabin has a luxury-car feel.The new Z’s wheelbase is 100mm shorter than the previous generation Z (a more compact 2550mm instead of 2650mm).The car’s overall length has been shortened by 70mm too, from 4320mm to 4250mm.At the same time, the overall width has increased by 33mm and the rear track by 55mm, bringing a purposeful look.The use of lightweight materials, as well as a more compact approach to the exterior dimensions have reduced weight, which in turn helps performance and dynamics.Nissan engineers have also delivered a much stronger body, with extensive reinforcement to improve rigidity.Joining the 370Z will be the refreshed Maxima, new Murano V6 off-roader and heart-stopping GT-R performance coupe.Even with a price tag starting at $148,800, Nissan Australia has had no problems finding GT-R buyers.Nissan will also showcase its Micra, X-Trail, Navara and Dualis at the show. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...