Nissan hopes to attract younger buyers
Nissan is planning to unveil an entry-level sports car in 2010 to replace the 240SX.
The company hopes the ‘mini-Z’ will appeal to younger buyers and will fill a gap in the market for cheap front/rear coupes.
In doing so it will also be taking on the rear-drive sports car Subaru and Toyota are planning to build together.
The Nissan is expected to either have a 2.0-lite naturally aspirated engine, or even a 1.6 or 1.8 turbocharged unit, according to Japan’s Best Car magazine.
Despite the small size of these turbo engines, thanks to direct-injection and a Variable Compression Ratio System they could produce 220bhp.
The size of the car is said to closely resemble the previous S15 Silvia.
The new FR coupe’s dimensions are expected to be 4350mm in length, 1750mm in width and with a wheelbase identical to the the new Fairlady/350 Z platform of 2550mm.
The car will cost in the region of £12,000 in Japan and the US, so expect it to be nearly double that when it arrives here.