Nissan plans trio of sports cars -GT-R, next Z & the Urge (Update: Mule testing pics)
06-07-07 | 07:16 AM
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Nissan plans trio of sports cars -GT-R, next Z & the Urge (Update: Mule testing pics)
Urge was based on a shortened version of the 350Z’s platform
Nissan plans trio of sports cars
07 June 2007
Nissan is still intent on extending its sports car range with a production version of the Urge sports car, previewed in concept form at the 2006 Detroit motor show. And the company’s UK arm will be closely involved in the car’s development.
Although development of the car remains at an early stage as Nissan determines the positioning and character of the car, the company’s Cranfield engineering centre in Bedfordshire has been benchmarking competitors’ cars, and will also help define performance targets for the new model.
This makes sense, because the UK is likely to be one the biggest markets for the car, has a long history of making sports cars and is particularly demanding about them.
Meanwhile, the next-generation 350Z will be an evolution of the existing model, insiders have revealed. Although extensively renewed, the much-liked silhouette of today’s car will survive, but with more sophisticated design details. The door handles will look less chunky, for instance, and the slightly crude joint of tailgate to rear wings will be tidier.
The mechanical recipe will be much the same, too – no surprise, given how effective and successful the current car is – but like the styling, it will be more refined. Expect less road noise and a smoother ride, but handling that’s equally entertaining.
With the arrival of the GT-R in the UK next year – it makes its debut at the Tokyo motor show in October – Nissan should very quicky transform itself from a brand known mainly for its 4x4s to one with a portfolio of sporting models as strong as any currently on the market.
Richard Bremner
07 June 2007
Nissan is still intent on extending its sports car range with a production version of the Urge sports car, previewed in concept form at the 2006 Detroit motor show. And the company’s UK arm will be closely involved in the car’s development.
Although development of the car remains at an early stage as Nissan determines the positioning and character of the car, the company’s Cranfield engineering centre in Bedfordshire has been benchmarking competitors’ cars, and will also help define performance targets for the new model.
This makes sense, because the UK is likely to be one the biggest markets for the car, has a long history of making sports cars and is particularly demanding about them.
Meanwhile, the next-generation 350Z will be an evolution of the existing model, insiders have revealed. Although extensively renewed, the much-liked silhouette of today’s car will survive, but with more sophisticated design details. The door handles will look less chunky, for instance, and the slightly crude joint of tailgate to rear wings will be tidier.
The mechanical recipe will be much the same, too – no surprise, given how effective and successful the current car is – but like the styling, it will be more refined. Expect less road noise and a smoother ride, but handling that’s equally entertaining.
With the arrival of the GT-R in the UK next year – it makes its debut at the Tokyo motor show in October – Nissan should very quicky transform itself from a brand known mainly for its 4x4s to one with a portfolio of sporting models as strong as any currently on the market.
Richard Bremner
06-07-07 | 07:49 AM
#4
The Urge is hype; Scion-like design with the lack of functionality. I don't think it will sell unless if it dethrones the S2k.
However, the 350Z is a success in terms of sportiness. Yeah, it's chunky compared to its rivals, but some people prefer the bigger size. Hey, most of us have American waistlines; the S2k and Soltice can only hold so much burger-laden tushies...
However, the 350Z is a success in terms of sportiness. Yeah, it's chunky compared to its rivals, but some people prefer the bigger size. Hey, most of us have American waistlines; the S2k and Soltice can only hold so much burger-laden tushies...
06-07-07 | 08:14 AM
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Meanwhile, the next-generation 350Z will be an evolution of the existing model, insiders have revealed. Although extensively renewed, the much-liked silhouette of today’s car will survive, but with more sophisticated design details. The door handles will look less chunky, for instance, and the slightly crude joint of tailgate to rear wings will be tidier.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/au...s_on_zcar.html
22nd June 2005
But it's the latter news which will really excite enthusiasts. The new car will take the current 350Z and add a more involving chassis and punchier engine. Olivier Paturet, chief product specialist at Nissan, told Auto Express he wanted the next Z to be a more hardcore machine, targeted squarely at Porsche buyers.
"We've seen what Porsche is doing with the Cayman, and I would like our new car to have more power, less weight and be more driver-focused," he said. "There's certainly a market in Europe for such a machine - it's simply a matter of convincing our US and Japanese divisions that this is the way forward."
But it's the latter news which will really excite enthusiasts. The new car will take the current 350Z and add a more involving chassis and punchier engine. Olivier Paturet, chief product specialist at Nissan, told Auto Express he wanted the next Z to be a more hardcore machine, targeted squarely at Porsche buyers.
"We've seen what Porsche is doing with the Cayman, and I would like our new car to have more power, less weight and be more driver-focused," he said. "There's certainly a market in Europe for such a machine - it's simply a matter of convincing our US and Japanese divisions that this is the way forward."
Anyways, that's the concept. I'm sure the production car will be much less experimental.
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06-07-07 | 12:40 PM
#10
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wow that is the ugliest looking car ive ever seen...... and speaking of the Z, audi has already re-designed the TT, and BMW just released their Z4 hardtop, Nissan needs to catch up :-P. Although the skyline is going to rock the house....
06-14-07 | 06:41 AM
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Nissan Mule Caught Testing, Could Be Production Version of Urge Concept
The prototype's distinctive profile and shortened wheelbase confirm it is not a 350Z.
The new sporty Nissan is expected to be based on the Urge concept.
It's not known what engines may power the rear-wheel-drive car.
NURBURG, Germany — Photographers have spied a Nissan mule testing at the Nürburgring, and although early reports surmise the prototype could be a future Nissan 350Z, the photos suggest otherwise.
With an obviously shortened wheelbase, the sporty prototype is expected to be an all-new rear-wheel-drive model based on the Nissan Urge concept that originally debuted at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Whatever this mule represents, it was seen testing alongside a Porsche Cayman, so Nissan is engaging in some lofty benchmarking for this car's driving dynamics.
What this means to you: If this is a mule for the Nissan Urge, then budget-minded enthusiasts should have another enticing buying option in a couple years.
Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...cleId=121231#2
06-14-07 | 07:42 AM
#14
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