The Japanese sportscar really came alive with the 240Z in America. Production of the very first Nissan Z-car started out in October 1969, but there were two versions, one with a SOHC inline-6 with 130 hp for the Japanese that was known as the Fairlady Z and another with a 151 hp 2.4-liter for America.
This was really the pinnacle of the affordable Japanese sportscar at the that time. When Nissan America introduced the 260Z as a replacement in 1974, it became a slightly bigger car with a larger 2.6-liter but less power because of emissions regulations.
Jay Leno asks Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura about the future of the Nissan Z cars, and it seems that to celebrate the company’s 80th anniversary, they are launching a resurrection model of the 240Z.
The Z cars have been steadily getting bigger, more expensive and heavier as times goes. Crumple zone, airbags and complicated systems bog them down, so it’s nice to hear they are going back to basics. This ties in nicely with rumors that Nissan is working on a replacement for the 370Z that’s lighter, cheaper and uses a downsized engine.
So, new 240Z retro-modern sportscar coming in 2013 asa a 2014 model year? Yeah, most likely.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News