Should Nissan and Mazda get more powerful 350Z, RX8

[Ford Capri 2.8i]

Once Nissan decided to be replaced its powerful 300bhp 300ZX Twin Turbo by a less powerful(and quite more slow as the Old Car vs New Car Top Gear comparison shows) 350Z.

And Mazda has taken a similar decision replacing the 280bhp RX-7 for a slower RX-8

Do members thing that Nissan and Mazda had to achieve higher goals such as launching about 360 bhp cars capable of challenging against the Ferrari 360, the Gallardo, the 911 GT3, the DB9, and so on?

My opinion is affirmative, for instance, for me means to save some money spending more euros in a DB9, Gallardo, and get more performances, pleasure of driving, rather than saving more money and not getting the nice sensations that give the Gallardo car segment

[T-Bird]

no way those cars are intended for a different market like the under $40k market not the over $100k market.

[JiggaStyles09]

also you have to look at the price, the 350Z is relatively cheaper than the 300ZX turbo even if you compare the price it was in 1996 compared to the 2004 350Z and the performance is not all that lagging in the 350, it was pretty close in the top gear race. also the rx-7 im pretty sure was very expensive back in 1995/1996 and the rx-8 is pretty affordable by todays standards. plus like others were saying it wasnt really made to be a replacement for the RX-7 anyays.

I keep hearing rumprs of a new RX-7 but havent seen anything of substance yet..... :roll:

[mindgam3]

Originally Posted by thamar Dude, it's Japanese LAW. Cars produced in Japan, or by Japanese firms can't have more then 280bhp. That's why the Impreza, Evo, NSX, Skyline ... all have 280bhp. In Japan the speedo doesn't even go higher then 180km/h

how come there are versions of the impreza and evo that have more than 290bhp then??

I think theres already a "sportier" 350Z coming out/is out

[T-Bird]

Originally Posted by thamar Dude, it's Japanese LAW. Cars produced in Japan, or by Japanese firms can't have more then 280bhp. That's why the Impreza, Evo, NSX, Skyline ... all have 280bhp. In Japan the speedo doesn't even go higher then 180km/h

That only applies to cars sold in Japan because they do have much more powerful versions of their cars/trucks sold outside of Japan that break the 300hp barrier and are still rising thanks to Subaru vs. Mitsubishi.

Originally Posted by Ford Capri 2.8i Once Nissan decided to be replaced its powerful 300bhp 300ZX Twin Turbo by a less powerful(and quite more slow as the Old Car vs New Car Top Gear comparison shows) 350Z. And Mazda has taken a similar decision replacing the 280bhp RX-7 for a slower RX-8 Do members thing that Nissan and Mazda had to achieve higher goals such as launching about 360 bhp cars capable of challenging against the Ferrari 360, the Gallardo, the 911 GT3, the DB9, and so on? My opinion is affirmative, for instance, for me means to save some money spending more euros in a DB9, Gallardo, and get more performances, pleasure of driving, rather than saving more money and not getting the nice sensations that give the Gallardo car segment

I personally wouldn't waste money on jap cars but yeah they should increase those cars with at least 50 Kw

[BADMIHAI]

Power isn't everything. An EVO 8 can lap a tight circuit almost as fast as a Gallardo or 360. There is a great video showing a 600 hp E30 being chased by a stock E46, and while the E30 pulls in the straights, it's no match for the E46 in the corners.

[Vansquish]

I think turboed versions of both would be kind of fun...they'd have to be export-market cars though, as the Z is already at max output for Japanese law.

[IgotWRXed]

not happening. look at all the problems down the line with those turbo cars.

the 350 and rx8 are practical cars that can be bought by the masses.

its not like Nissan and Mazda have their eyes shut to the cult following/modding thats going on with the older cars. so when they dont produce a version like that.......well it should tell you someting. they dont want to.

[SilviaEvo]

a 350z against a Gallardo??? BHAHAHAHA. that's funny

remember the Focus VS. Gallardo?
btw i think Nissan and Mazda should both dump their ugly ideas of sports cars. the 90's were Japan's ultimate time. The I-6's were the ultimate from Japan but now they are long dead. and Mazda with the RX8 which is an horrible car all those ricey stuff like altezzas and crap along with the Mitsu basing the EVO on a Cedia what the hell is wrong with them?!!? 300ZX replaced with a fat ass ugly car called the 350Z and they plan to remake the Skyline with the horrible 350Z type styling?!!?
Japan's cars to me have died off in the 90's. Hope they come up with at least a decent looking one :roll:

[Silvia_Drift]

It isn't a law in Japan guys, its a "gentleman's agreement" among car manufacturers. The car that each manufacturer wants to compete in the Japanese Touring Car Championship must be less than 280bhp in production form. Most car companies under rate their cars at 280bhp but have 300+ hp most of the time. Apparently, this agreement has been dropped so the next versions of each companies cars will be significatly more powerful.

[Paco]

Very right so, Silvia_Drift.

Most stock Japanese cars go over the 300bhp gentleman's agreement and I'm sure that after some time they will release a special Nismo version (other than the already existing one) to give the 350Z a premium placing in the market and to compete with the M3. It's already known that the current configuration can cope with much more horsepower. I guess a 350bhp version or more is not far away. Skyline will top this with dual turbos I guess.


"If you build it, it will come"

[T-Bird]

Originally Posted by SilviaEvo a 350z against a Gallardo??? BHAHAHAHA. that's funny remember the Focus VS. Gallardo?

Well that was a one off V8 RWD focus that is a little different.

[Vansquish]

Originally Posted by everso i think the limit of japanese production cars *in* Japan is 300hp, not 280 as some have said.

It's neither...to be exact it's actually 276bhp, or 280ps...which is what everyone seems to refer to.

[RC45]

The 350Z does just fine as it is... I mean look at the hp/l numbers that thing produces.