Nissan "mini-Z"

[BigTyla]

Nissan Working on Mini-Z to target FR-S/BRZ - Motor Trend (http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1207_nissan_working_on_mini_z_to_target_frs_brz/)

Talk about an emotional roller coaster! While reading this, I went from ecstatic,



Click to view GalleryOn the heels of Nissan's recent motorsport successes -- a factory-backed GT-R placed first in class at the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and the radical DeltaWing stole the show at the 24 Hours of Le Mans -- comes news that executives have finally given the green light for a compact sports car known in house as the "Mini-Z."

to sad,


It's not a new rear-drive Silvia/240SX -- that project was cancelled in late 2008 during the financial crisis. Instead, it's a compact, front-drive-based sports car that will be aimed squarely at the Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ.

to happy again,


There is also word that there will be an AWD version to go with the base FWD variant, based on the Juke's all-mode 4x4 i-system with torque vectoring.

to even more happiness,


Though Nissan didn't reveal the concept's powertrain in Shanghai, we've learned it was fitted with the 190-hp, 1.6-liter turbo-four from the Nissan Juke that also served as base for the engine in the DeltaWing.

to pure ecstacy again!


Price-wise, the Nissan is expected to undercut the Toyota and Subaru by as much as 10 percent, carrying a sticker price somewhere below $22,000.

Discuss.

[j2k4]

I sure like the idea.

It would allow me to openly indulge my anti-Subie bias. :)

[BigTyla]

I sure like the idea.

It would allow me to openly indulge my anti-Subie bias. :)

What is the basis of your Subaru hatred?

[j2k4]

What is the basis of your Subaru hatred?

Pure unadorned bias.

I just need a brand to scoff at, you see, and it was the first marque whose name made me giggle.

[AdamVR4]

AWD turbo @ $22K? Won't be holding my breath.

[familyMAN]

Had a juke as a rental. Surprisingly fun. Could be a good basis for a small awd car.

[BigTyla]

AWD turbo @ $22K? Won't be holding my breath.

From my understanding that will be the price for the base FWD model. I imagine the AWD will net at least a $2500 premium.

[J-Groove]

AWD turbo @ $22K? Won't be holding my breath.

If it is built on the Juke basis it would be attainable. The Juke is already close to that price point. Built another platform that utilizes the same parts and costs will go down.

But if they do make this, hopefully they will change some things. There will need to be a proper manual available. For the Juke you can only get the AWD with their CVT transmission.

Alos, the fact that they will mainly be going after the BRZ FRC segment with a FWD is not a good approach. I mean just look at the 4th gen Eclipse. Looked decent, actually outperformed a stock 350Z. But the FWD killed it. They need to hold true to the performance AWD variant.

[BigTyla]

If it is built on the Juke basis it would be attainable. The Juke is already close to that price point. Built another platform that utilizes the same parts and costs will go down.

But if they do make this, hopefully they will change some things. There will need to be a proper manual available. For the Juke you can only get the AWD with their CVT transmission.

Alos, the fact that they will mainly be going after the BRZ FRC segment with a FWD is not a good approach. I mean just look at the 4th gen Eclipse. Looked decent, actually outperformed a stock 350Z. But the FWD killed it. They need to hold true to the performance AWD variant.

I think if they cut the FWD base model idea altogether they'd be better off in the long run, but then again, is there a market for the FWD models? The vast majority of buyers out there are not enthusiasts and just want a car that looks cool at a reasonable price. Damn the performance numbers.

[j2k4]

I think if they cut the FWD base model idea altogether they'd be better off in the long run, but then again, is there a market for the FWD models?

Trim it plainly and call it something else - done.

Call it New-Age corporate thrift.