2015 Nissan Z in Early Stages of Development

Work on the 2015 Nissan Z model has already begun with a concept version debuting as early as the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.

The Japanese automaker hopes to make the next Z revamp lighter and leaner, and could probably see a new powerplant under the hood. The model’s development is currently “at an early stage” according to head of Nissan design Shiro Nakamura, and the brand is striving to make a stronger impact with the new car than the current 370Z model has had on the market.

While the automaker enjoyed great success when the 350Z came back onto the market in 2002, the 370Z hasn’t had the same impact. The current 370Z model weighs in at 3,314 lbs, so it could definitely afford to shed some weight. With the weight loss however, Nissan could be outfitting the Z model with a four-cylinder turbo engine, helping make it more accessible to more people.

There are other ways to interpret what Nakamura said however; Nissan could just be finding ways to make a base model Z cheaper in order to attract a larger market share.

[Source: Inside Line]