Nissan Z isn’t dead, but timing, details for new model aren’t clear

The Japanese automaker wants to create a successor to the Nissan 370Z, but the firm is still working out a plan for its iconic sports car.

At the recent Detroit motor show Philippe Klein, Nissan’s chief planning officer, told Automotive News the much publicised rumours of the Z’s impending death were off the mark.

Klein was then asked about the sports car’s future. “We’re working on it and it’s very present, but I have no indication to give you,” he replied.

Although “the passion is still there”, Klein didn’t give any clue about when the next Z may appear, what form it will take, or how far into the development cycle it is.

The chief planning officer acknowledged the market for vehicles like the Z was challenging and shrinking, but stated “we still believe there is a place for the Z and we want to keep it alive, and that’s what we’re working on”.

According to Klein, the increasing popularity of crossovers means consumers no longer prioritise “speed, acceleration and cornering”.

He added regulations requiring ever safer vehicles necessitated more powerful engines, bigger brakes and other features that run counter to building an affordable lightweight sports car.

The current incarnation of the Z, the 370Z, was launched in 2009, and has been refreshed and updated a few times.

Rumours have circulated in recent years that Nissan was planning to replace the 370Z with a sporty crossover vehicle wearing Z branding.

At the 2015 Frankfurt motor show, the company unveiled the Gripz concept (above), a vehicle inspired by the 240Z rally car.

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