Monday 19th January 2009

370Z to Lose its Head

Leaked drawings suggest roadster version on the way

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Pictures have surfaced on the internet of what appears to be a convertible version of the Nissan 370Z. The images were reportedly leaked by the European patent office, and offer a first glimpse of what a 370Z roadster might look like.

The drawings are a little awkward with some very strange proportions, and are a world away from the full artist's renderings that we are used to seeing. But they do suggest a shape for the new droptop that looks very much like a dedicated roadster, as opposed to the slightly confused lines of the previous-gen 350Z roadster, whose shape came in for much criticism.

Despite the troubling proportions of the drawings, it does appear that the new Z's distinctive rear haunches have been retained, and given an even stronger accent by the shortened roofline that tapers toward the near-horizontal rear screen.

With a little imagination, these sketches show an aggressive roadster that does not look like an afterthought. Lets just hope that these particular sketches are not final design blueprints...

 

[Saab_of_Doom]

The weird proportions is because of the lack of perspective, you have to turn it on in the some engineering cad programs.

I think it looks a lot more together than the last one. The coupe is definately on my wish list!

[BelperJim]

Don't like the look of the roadster. Although I will hold judgement on the coupe for FOS to see it in the flesh.

[Martz]

So would I be right in thinking that the guy who told me on sat night that he had ordered one of these and had managed to screw the dealership down to £20k was probably talking out of his arse?

[jon-]

Martz said:

So would I be right in thinking that the guy who told me on sat night that he had ordered one of these and had managed to screw the dealership down to £20k was probably talking out of his arse?

Yes, the current shape ones are going for 21k new at best to move the old stock. They'd never discount a 370.

[Martz]

I did think it a tad too unbelievable...

Slightly OT, being a 350Z owner myself im not 100% convinced on the 370 yet, think i'll need to see one in the metal. Not that i'll be in any position anytime soon... second hand resale for the 350 is just insane at the mo :-(

[martinmac]

I have seen a projected picture of the 370 roadster and if its anywhere near it looked better than the coupe. Would be keeping the 350 anyway so trying to ignore second hand prices.

[jon-]

Martz said:

I did think it a tad too unbelievable...

Slightly OT, being a 350Z owner myself im not 100% convinced on the 370 yet, think i'll need to see one in the metal. Not that i'll be in any position anytime soon... second hand resale for the 350 is just insane at the mo :-(

I'm with you on not being convinced (and a current owner) but if it drives ok, who cares.

As for resale, I though they'd held up really well in comparison to a lot of their piers (go look at RX8's!). The imports don't go for much but a well looked after UK car still seems to demand a good price.

[Cupramax]

OP said:

370Z to Lose its Head
Leaked drawings suggest roadster version on the way

The 350z was available as a roadster so is this really surprising?

[jmatras]

Here in the States at least, the '09 roadster is the old car, the '10 coupe is the new car. The '10 roadster will be the new car.

Dunno how it will work in Jolly Olde.

When do you get the coupe? It's going on sale here about now.

[Stuart J]

jon- said:

Martz said:

So would I be right in thinking that the guy who told me on sat night that he had ordered one of these and had managed to screw the dealership down to £20k was probably talking out of his arse?

Yes, the current shape ones are going for 21k new at best to move the old stock. They'd never discount a 370.

Ive heard of dealers with them brand spankers at 19,900 currently & recently someone got a sub 19K one.

It makes s/hand ones a hell of a lot of car for the money.

[jon-]

jmatras said:

When do you get the coupe? It's going on sale here about now.

Next month or two.

[jamesscott]

Bear in mind a 350Z registered from April 2006 onwards will get hammered on road tax (£410) versus a 350z registered March 2006 at the latest paying the £210 rate.

Heavily discounted new cars might look at good value from dealers at ~£20k but remember what Mr Darling demands from you in a years time.

I've got a 2005 350z (with 9500 miles) so I'm happy to stick with it and pay £210/year. It doesn't quite make up for the residual value of the car being so low now, but it's bought and paid for already so I'll just sit tight.

Running costs however are important to keep as low as possible.

By coincidence I was killing time in a local (BMW) dealer and the trade in price of the 350z was....£9500. It's going nowhere for that.

[jon-]

jamesscott said:

Bear in mind a 350Z registered from April 2006 onwards will get hammered on road tax (£410) versus a 350z registered March 2006 at the latest paying the £210 rate.

Heavily discounted new cars might look at good value from dealers at ~£20k but remember what Mr Darling demands from you in a years time.

I've got a 2005 350z (with 9500 miles) so I'm happy to stick with it and pay £210/year. It doesn't quite make up for the residual value of the car being so low now, but it's bought and paid for already so I'll just sit tight.

Running costs however are important to keep as low as possible.

By coincidence I was killing time in a local (BMW) dealer and the trade in price of the 350z was....£9500. It's going nowhere for that.

I own the last registered DE version which means mine is only of only a few in the country that benefits from both the original interior AND the elevated road tax.

Woo!

[Steamer]

Aggressive?

In my mind that looks too much like the poncy Lexus roadster convertible thingy.

Not what I wanted to see

[KillerJim]

Looks like a Mk3 MR2

[JPW231]

Nissan making cut backs too!
Looks like the designers were given etch-a-sketches for Christmas!