Nissan is getting close to unveiling a new sports coupe that will slot in under the upcoming 370z.  The new car is set to be called the FR, probably referencing it’s front engine and rear drive design.  Think of this new car to take the place of the long forgotten 240sx/Silvia.

The most interesting part of the vehicle is the proposed drive train.  Rumor has it that Nissan will be installing the HR16DET (turbocharged inline 4 cylinder) with VCR.  VCR is a sort of variable compression ratio design aimed at improving performance and fuel economy.  I will try to dig up more information on this new technology over the weekend.   Expected power output is in the 220-250hp range at the crank.

The dimensions will be similar to the S15 Silvia (not offered in U.S.) with the new car being slightly wider and shorter.    Vehicle weight should be in the 2,750lb range with the base pricing to start around $20,000.  I’ll keep you all posted with any updates and feel free to send me any info if you stumble across anything.

Pictures and some info taken from 7TUNE.com

Infiniti has finally wised up and realized that to really compete with the BMW 3-series that they needed to make a convertible of the popular G37 coupe.  This model will have all the same features of the standard G37 with the addition (or subtraction depending on how you look at it) of a retractible hard top.

The new convertible will be available sometime in early spring and pre-orders are being taken as I write this.  If this is your must have car I suggest getting your name in early if you don’t want to wait like the 335i owners had to.   Good luck!

With the unveiling of the 370z right aound the corner, at the LA auto show in November, there are bound to be more and more pictures taken of the test cars to hype it up before the release.    Here are the latest and greatest:

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The specs are not fully disclosed yet but since Nissan will be aiming the 370z at the Porsche Cayman we need to expect some pretty large platform changes.  The engine will be the 3.7 liter VQ variant that is currently in the Infiniti G37, although there may be a few tweaks here and there to differentiate the two power plants.  The wheel base will also be slightly shorter coming in around 100 inches.

The biggest improvement in many peoples eyes over the outgoing 350z will be a dramitic reduction in weight.   The outgoing car weighs somewhere north of 3,500 pounds while the new 370z is aiming for under 3,200.  Only time will tell what the production cars will add up to.  We can’t wait to get our hands on one of these beasts and put it through it’s paces.

As I see more info on the 370z I will post it here first thing.  Don’t be a stranger to ZCarBlog.com!

Z Car Garage is once again in the spotlight with a beautifully restored 240z.  In the November issue of Sport Compact Car there is an article titled “Zip Code” featuring Kurt Ikerd’s Z.  Throughout the five page spread is a well done write up and some amazing photos taken by the infamous E. John Thawley III.  This issue is worth buying for this article alone.

Within the last week this car is beginning a new phase in it’s life.  The wheels have been changed and the entire drive train has been removed.  Kurt and the entire Z Car Garage crew has huge plans for this car in the near future so stay tuned right here as I will be documenting the entire rebuild.  All I have to say is wow.

Note:  These photos are just a few that I have taken this year, THEY ARE NOT FROM THE ARTICLE.  John Thawley’s are much nicer.  ENJOY

Sport Compact Car Magazine

John Thawley, Motorsports Photographer

In less than two weeks the American Le Mans series storms into Laguna Seca yet again to provide some of the best wheel to wheel racing mankind has ever seen.  Seriously.  This ALMS events promises to be even more special than years past because a Z-car corral will take place on Saturday!  All Zs (new and old) and Gs, 510s, Roadsters, and GT-Rs are welcome to attend.  The Saturday day and corral pass are available on the Z.O.N.C. website for purchase.

Come out and join us for a great weekend in Monterey at Laguna Seca and bring your Z!!

Z.O.N.C. (Club Info, Purchase Tickets and Corral Passes)

American Lemans Series (Series Info)

Laguna Seca (Track Into)