Tonight we get what is loudly and clearly NOT the next Z-car, but the concept/preproduction/teaser/trial balloon version of the model to follow in the next few years. The show starts at 8:30, so find a comfortable chair.
8:10 - The significance of doing this is not just about Nissan's next step with its oldest (in America, at least) and probably most culturally significant model designation. It's a read into Nissan's current state as it shows how they move forward past a car that has been on the market for eleven years, with a basic platform stretching back another seven before that.
This car predates the Iraq invasion.
This one was right in time for the Great Recession. (Both photos: Wikipedia)
8:20 - What we have to work off of at this point is a few murky smears of film and some closeups of various retro-ish signifiers, plus a GIF that apparently shows someone operating a manual transmission.
I am concerned. This shot gives me the creeping suspicion that this will be nothing more than another reskin of the current car. The beltline is about the same height in particular.
I suppose we should be excited/appreciative of the manual transmission that is strongly implied, but that depends on a few things - seven speeds? clutchless operation? something else equally irritating? We'll see.
8:30 - Underway with a reminder that the Z name is 50 years old.
Manufacturers, feel free to never use the wub-wub music again.
8:32 - Well, there it is.
8:33 - uhm. That front intake.
8:34 - Lots of Lexus LC in that greenhouse.
8:37 - That interior shot is the best part of the car so far.
8:38 - Great choice of inspirations - easily the two best models in Z history - but not sure how much of that got carried over.
8:40 - oh GOD no not Adam Carolla.
headdesk headdesk.
8:41 - I am considering it a sort of journalistic duty to tolerate this idiot in hopes of hearing something meaningful, or at least knowing when he's done so we can see what comes after.
8:43 - If you are introducing a new model, the time to do the historical highlight reel/slavish cult spotlight is BEFORE there reveal, not after.
8:45 - Car and Driver is saying/confirming twin-turbo V6 and six-speed manual. Wish the rest of us had gotten that news instead of dealing with Carolla.
8:47 - We desperately need to see this thing in other colors: white, red, silver.
8:48 - He did not just say "katana sword." Please.
8:50 - You cannot get a good sense of the body sculpting in this color. Sigh.
Same platform? Same roof peak, same high beltline.
8:53 - It's starting to come together for me a bit more now. Better than the current car, better than the 350Z, if still a bit heavy and they really need to do something about that front opening.
8:57 - Softball questions.
Curious about the metal spars on the roof and how they'll mesh with the body colors. Wonder if the black roof will be standard.
8:59 - Starting to wonder about pricing. This is going to probably be a lot more expensive than the current car - maybe not GT-R territory, but probably past that psychological $50K barrier.
9:02 - Run the hemming and hawing of these folks and I think we're looking at something more Z32 than S30. Okay, makes sense in the modern world.
From the big W again.
If they get even close to what the Z32 was, that will be a massive step forward.
9:08 - Okay, shiny spars stay. Will there be any other brightwork to complement it?
9:10 - Okay, lots of lofty babbling about international influences. Scripted-sounding questions.
Calling off, I guess. We're not going to get any other news from these guys.
9:12 - So here is the news in hand: https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/new-nissan-z-proto-looks-to-the-future-inspired-by-its-past
It's...okay, I guess? An improvement, at least visually. Will be interesting to see how much turns out to be really new.
Yeah, sorta. Photo: Nissan
Still not happy with that boring rectangle smack in front, but this might work.
9:19 - So what did they really say and what does this say about Nissan? Lots of leaning on a storied past. They can draw a good-looking, if slightly conservative, GT car. Nothing seems startlingly progressive or ambitious - the likely-recycled platform which is approaching age of consent is disappointing - but it's generally appealing on what was probably a minimal budget.
On some level I give credit to Nissan for even giving us a new Z car. I'm sure that the business case was not an easy sell in the modern environment and especially given Nissan's troubled situation.
Much left to learn. Let's see how it is as a car instead of just a styling study.