Next-Gen Nissan Z Could Move Down Market to Compete with FR-S

Nissan is looking to go back to its roots for the next-generation Z sports car.

In an interview with Autoblog, Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura revealed that the company is looking at the original 240Z as inspiration for the next-generation Z, meaning the sports car could move down market now that the IDx is officially dead.

Nakamura believes that the Z can fill the role of the IDx as a competitor to the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, making it likely that Nissan could be lowering the price point for the Z. “We are studying a couple of different concept,” Nakamura said in the interview. “Because the sports car market is becoming smaller globally. We would like to do something, I personally think, is more [in the] original concept of Z, which is … more practical and appealing to younger customers.”

SEE ALSO: 2016 Nissan 370Z Review

The original 240Z came in 1969 and subsequent models have seen the nameplate evolve and grow in numerical value. Does that mean that the next Z will be a larger number? Not quite. “We are questioning ourselves in repeating the 350, 370. We don’t want to create 390Z, right?”

The current Nissan 370Z is six years old, but it appears that Nissan is still in the early stages of planning for its next-generation Z, so don’t expect a replacement within the next couple of years.

[Source: Autoblog]

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