One of the biggest "usability" differences between the 350Z and the 370Z is the bracing under the hatch. We always wondered exactly what was under the gigantic brace between the shock towers of the 350Z when we came across a stripped one at a racetrack. Here is the 350Z brace in all it's glory. You can see that it was probably overkill. It certainly killed the usability of the hatch area.
The 370Z brace is a different story completely - it's not a shock brace at all. Instead, it goes between the B-pillars where it probably contributes a lot more to structural integrity (and crashworthiness) than the 350Z brace ever did.
Kudos to Nissan for removing the ridiculous 350Z brace, improving usability, and for actually improving the structural integrity and crashworthiness of the car. It's rare when safety and user friendliness attributes can come together at once.
If I have one concern, it's that some racers will try to use the brace as a harness mount: it's structural appropriateness is still an open question and it's in the wrong place. Mounting harnesses in the wrong way and in the wrong place are very common mistakes. The SCCA rulebook is the single best and safest guide here.
This is going to be a big week for Nissan with announcements at the Los Angeles show including the all-new 370Z. In preparation for this week, it would be good preparation to review the 'Nissan GT 2012" business plan presentation by Carlos Ghosn from May 2008. The presentation includes both video and slides: (suggest <right click> and <open in new tab>): http://www3.stream.co.jp/web06/nissan/press/EN/epre/080513/bb/index.html
The Z announcement and official unveiling is only a few days off. However, this weekend there were two official unveilings of actual production cars held in the Los Angeles area and of course numerous spy photos have been seen over the past year. Thanks to all of this there is only a little we don't know about the new 'Z: we've already got pictures of the complete exterior, the engine compartment and interior, and one to answer our big question about the location of the brace. The big brace of the 350Z is gone, replaced by a smaller and far less intrusive brace immediately behind the seats between the B pillars. It will certainly be more effective there than at it's previous location between the rear shock towers.
Once the announcement occurs this week, we should have the final HP and torque figures - as well as official word on the weight of the car. The weight is the big remaining question: the intent was to remove some serious weight and internet rumors are ranging all over the map: anywhere from 100 to 200 pounds. My own "guess" is only 100 pounds - because while the car is shorter it is also wider, and of course it also would have been engineered for an improvement in crash ratings. On the other hand, it appears that the doors are composite so Nissan probably went further than usual taking out weight. Only the official announcement will tell us what actually occurred.
As you can see from the following pictures, the storage area behind the seats is considerably more usable. They may even pass the "2 golf bags" test. However, rear/side visibility looks to be extremely poor.
Nissan today released 3 official pictures of the new 'Z. These are the only pictures released today, and specs will not be available until the official debut date before the Los Angeles show in November. As we've seen from the spy pics, the new styling is evolutionary, and incorporates the new family head and taillights. Retro touches include the rear side windows. We do know the updated FM platform used in the latest G37 is underneath, and given all the issues with the current Z platform that's a very good thing.
National Geographic was given unprecedented access to Nissan development during the creation of the GT-R. Here is the resulting 45 minute video, in three parts courtesy of YouTube:
Several journalists have been offered test drives in a pre-production 370Z by Nissan. Certain details as well as full un-camouflaged images are still embargoed. Nissan will release full images on October 29th, and technical details 2 weeks later just before the debut at the Los Angeles auto show.
So what do we know?
latest FM platform (and that's a very good thing: ye olde FHM platform under the Z had serious issues). Like all the latest FMs, the tires are considerably taller.
99" wheelbase.Length taken out of car just behind the rear seats. Also wider.
3.7 liter DOHC V-6 engine from the G37 - perhaps with a few more horses. 6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic.
"measures" taken to reduce overall weight. And that's a good thing too - the last Z was a porker.
Seems that some GT-Rs are breaking their transmission by shearing the teeth off of first gear. Allegedly, "launch mode" is the culprit. Several people have had to pay for the new transmission (with the attached rear differential as well as the AWD center diff) without warranty coverage. Cost is unknown, but is certainly ungodly. The units cannot be repaired at the present time. The transmission is designed and manufactured by Borg-Warner.
Nissan has released further video of their heroic record-setting run in a standard production GT-R on the Nurburgring. Perhaps now Porsche will shut up and get back to work on improving their own product.
Ultimately, Nissan will come up against a wall given the size and weight of the GT-R. Just as Porsche is already at a near stop because of it's dead-wrong engine location.
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