Now this is a big one. Nissan is reportedly planning on a successor for the ageing 370Z sports car, and word is that the automaker will team up with Mercedes-Benz for the venture. According to Japanese publication Response, the interest was spurred from the warm reception the new race-spec Supra received, one that was co-developed with BMW.
The report said the new “Z” may get a Mercedes-sourced 2.0 litre turbo four for cheaper variants, while the 3.0 litre VR twin-turbo V6 and seven-speed dual-clutch combo in the outgoing Infiniti Q60 – which makes up to 400 hp – could find its way into the top model. That’s 50 horsepower more than what the naturally-aspirated 3.7 litre V6 in the 370Z Nismo makes, and nearly 80 hp more than the standard 370Z!
There might even be a hybrid variant among the cards, although exactly where it slots in the line-up remains to be seen. All variants of the sports car will be underpinned by a brand new platform that’s jointly developed by Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. Development of the said architecture will be split by the two parties, and it is also expected to underpin several other tri-star cars in the future.
Of course, the partnership between the two entities isn’t exactly new. The tie-up most recently gave birth to the Mercedes-Benz X-Class, so this lands some credence to the Fairlady project. If all goes well, the new Z will make its world premier at the 2019 Los Angeles Motor Show, just in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
However, some outlets think that the idea is borderline “wishful thinking”. Motortrend said “it’s a nice idea, especially for Z-car fans, but it’s not happening.” Sources familiar with the matter told the US publication that “Mercedes-Benz and Nissan really did talk about it, but the talks never went anywhere.”
The problem is that the convertible market is fast shrinking, and it wasn’t big enough to begin with. “Neither Toyota nor BMW could independently justify the cost of an all-new roadster that’s barely going to register on the sales charts each month, and neither can Nissan or Mercedes-Benz,” read the report.
“None of these companies are hurting for resources, but they have shareholders to answer to. Even uber-profitable Porsche is wringing its hands over the future of the 718 Boxster and Cayman,” it added. Now, tell us, what do you think?
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Will wait for this..
Nissan tanchong product, Worth the wait.
Why partner…? Isn’t. Nissan+Mitsu+Renault = useless …?
Subaru and Porsche please!!!
Boxers, turbocharged, symmetrical AWD!!!
Wow, Nissan is so respected, it can even partner prestigious Mercedes
P1, Geely, Mesidis, VolvoCar, VolvoTruck, Lotus, Nissan > all
Mercedes already confirmed in a statement that Geely is a mere shareholder ONLY and Mercedes will not share technology with Geely.
That shares was only bought by the owner and dont have anything to do with geely. Only distance relative like proton perasan.
That mean not full of JDM car?
Toyota = BMW
Nissan = Mercedes
Honda = Audi?
Honda = McLaren
Ohwai…
Proton = Lotus
Ohwaii…
P1 = Lotus
Synergy. Ohwai…
The clowns at Proton must be thinking they will be called to contribute their expertise.
Only u think so.
What I think is that people should get their sh1t together and buy something other than SUVs
oh god please no..japs can do their own, a euro mix will be full of badly design cheap components.
*with expensive spare parts
Nissan doesn’t need to work with Mercedes on this. They could very well do this on thier own as they have the platform to work from. Maybe one up everyone and pull a LEAF and do a full electric version.
Actually, if you look at the side profile of the Renault Trezor concept, squint and what do you see? Yep. The New Z