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Next Nissan Z could be more like original 240

The current Nissan 370Z is six years old, meaning a replacement is on the horizon. But what will the next Z car be? In an interview at last weekend's 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nissan Chief Creative Office Shiro Nakamura revealed that one idea for the next-generation Z could see it move down market, closer to the original 240Z or the 1999 Concept Z. "We would like to do something ... more practical and appealing to younger customers." – Shiro Nakamura "We are studying a couple of different concepts. Because the sports car market is becoming smaller globally," said Nakamura, "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." The original 1969 240Z, sold under the Datsun nameplate, became an icon thanks to a combination of attractive styling, reasonable performance, and affordable price. In 1970, a new 240Z went for less than $3,600 at the dealer, although high demand resulted in early resale values above retail. In the US, the 240Z begat the 280Z in 1975. Subsequent versions grew in numerical name and performance, but that trend has an end point. The future path may be to reverse course, jokes Nakamura. "We are questioning ourselves in repeating the 350, 370. We don't want to create 390Z, right?" While Nissan is working on the next Z, the bad news is that the IDx is confirmed dead. First shown at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, the IDx concept was a vision of an affordable, four-seat sports car like original Nissan/Datsun 510. "I think IDx will not be produced," said Nakamura, before continuing to say that the Z could fill that role. Don't expect a Mazda MX-5 Miata or Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S clone. When asked specifically about the MX-5, the Nissan designer stated "We may not necessarily go into the same category. Personally I see other options that are very interesting. We want to do something the same as this, unique," he said, referencing a picture of the GTR-LM racecar on the wall. As for timing, we couldn't get any specifics. And the chances of the Z moving down market aren't even certain. "We still need time to finalize this," said the Nissan chief designer, "I mean, we have a couple of ideas." Related Video:

Nissan announces limited-edition 2014 GT-R in Midnight Opal

Nissan has unveiled the 2014 GT-R Special Edition. Finished in Midnight Opal paint, the GT-R SE will be limited to just 100 units worldwide, with 50 earmarked for the US.
With sales slated to start this fall, the Special Edition of the 545-horsepower GT-R tacks $6,000 on to the $105,590 price of a GT-R Premium. The hand-applied Midnight Opal paint isn't the only special item, though. Forged RAYS wheels are included in a ten-spoke design that's never before made it to American shores, and there's a dry carbon-fiber rear spoiler, similar in design and appearance to the one found on the GT-R Black and Track Editions. Finally, a gold-plated plaque has been fitted to single out the GT-R Special Edition from the very fast herd.
US sales of the GT-R SE are slated to begin in September. Scroll down for the official press blast.

Nissan's London Black Cab postponed because it can't meet emissions targets

Emissions concerns in London are causing headaches for Nissan, as the company continues its efforts to bring its Black Cab to the city's streets. A proposed ultra-low emissions zone could lead to standards in the city center that are so strict the gas-powered taxi can't meet them, AutoExpress reports. It's unclear just how low the new emissions standards may be, although AE references London's mayor, Boris Johnson, and his drive to make every London taxi emissions-free by 2018 as a particular thorn for the Japanese automaker. It's worth noting that the NV200 taxi is both cleaner and more fuel efficient than London's current fleet of iconic black cabs. That alone makes it seem like reason enough to get the new cabs on the streets. But it's the strictness of the proposed standards and the apparently set-in-stone nature of the NV200's current engineering that is holding up the cab's future. While Nissan offers an emissions-free e-NV200, it would reportedly need to completely reengineer the NV200-based cab to meet the future standards if they're approved. Whether that will happen, though, remains an open question.