Nissan Wants A Cheaper Z, So The Kids Can Buy Them

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

The next-generation Nissan Z (which may or may not be: 1. A crossover; 2. Real; 3. Inspired by a bicycle; 4. FWD; 5. All of the above) may be less expensive than the current car, Nissan design chief Mamori Aoki told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

A lower price would appeal to a younger generation who can’t afford the Z’s current $30,000 price tag, Aoki said. Well, yeah.

Interestingly, the report notes that a less-expensive Z could make room for a more powerful Nissan sports car that isn’t called a GT-R. Aoki told the newspaper that the GT-R would remain a flagship performance car that wouldn’t compromise speed for something as silly as price. Wonderful.

“The GT-R continues to showcase and technological flagship for Nissan. The GT-R should always be the quickest,” Aoki told the paper.

In November, GT-R, 370Z and NISMO product planner Hiroshi Tamura told Motoring that he didn’t have any plans to turn the Z into a crossover and that the Gripz concept (pictured above) could be something that funds development of a new coupe.

“No, I don’t want to do that,” Tamura told Motoring. “I have a passion … I have to do this also for base GT-R and 370Z.”

Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • RHD RHD on Dec 20, 2015

    This thing looks like it was inspired by an overpriced shoe worn by a ghetto drug dealer. To make it worse, the sides have already been T-boned. Massive fail. Nissan should consider a modern retro version of the original 240Z, basic, reasonably comfortable, timeless proportions, aspirational, good performance and an instant classic. Target it to a reasonable price point. Forget the French-inspired zaniness. Get real and build a good, real car.

  • 6250Claimer 6250Claimer on Dec 20, 2015

    As a 3-time early Z-car owner (4 if you can't the Z4MC many years later, my spiritual successor to the original), I find this more-than-mildly offensive. WTH is Nissan thinking??

  • Hummer Hummer on Dec 20, 2015

    The current Z is a $15,000 car max as it is, just cut the price in half and call it a day, sales probably won't go up, but at least Nissan will stop showing this crap every couple months.

  • Carlisimo Carlisimo on Dec 21, 2015

    Make the Z a little more pleasant to drive at a slightly higher price, and give us a small and simple RWD 240SX.

    • JMII JMII on Dec 21, 2015

      A pleasant driving Z that costs more is called the G37 Coupe, or what odd letter combination Infiniti is using these days.

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