Modern 240Z design

TMR News and Features

If Nissan Took A Leaf Out Of Ford’s Book

May 17th, 2008 • 13 comments • Link to Article • by Mike Stevens

240z_concept-01

There’s been a lot of talk about the styling of the upcoming Nissan 370Z (does anyone else think “370Z” has a poor ring to it?). WHile most folks happily acknowledge the minor 240Z homage in the form of the beltline as it leads up along the bottom of the rear quarter window, there is, on the other side of the coin, some antipathy toward the headlights and front intakes.

One thing that stands out about the Z line of cars is that, unlike the 911 for example, there’s little to no design ties between the 240Z and the 350Z, and most of the models in between (excluding, perhaps, the 280ZX). You get the feeling that while each Z car has its own appeal, they’re each little more than a random two-door sports car made by a company who conveniently happened to own the rights to a highly respected badge.

If you were given the keys to Nissan’s design department, what would your next generation Z look like? A 3D designer asked himself that same question, and arrived at a fairly stunning retrotastic concept. In much the same way Ford has done with the current Mustang, BMW has done with the new Mini—and so on—this design offers bold modern lines while maintaining clear ties to the original styling.

Jump through the hoop to see more.

[via AusZCar]

Filed under

Tags: 240z, 350z, 370z, datsun, Nissan

There Are 13 Responses So Far.

Click here to jump to the Add Comment box

How do you get a picture next to your name?
Get a Gravatar. Click here to find out more!

Comment by Dan S
18 May 2008

I don’t like the tail lights much they’re very un-zed. The forum you linked to had a photochopped mod done by one of the guys there and his version looked heaps better

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by josh..
18 May 2008

oh hell yea!

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by SR20
18 May 2008

Looks good, don’t know about the vent though.

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by wngo
18 May 2008

hot dang!

has a concept car appeal to it yet still carries the touches of the original Z

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by OVTEC
18 May 2008

HOT HOT HOT!!!

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by omawari_san
18 May 2008

This looks ok, but I tend to not like retro-styled cars. Either the real (old) deal or something new. But just a new car in a retro shape always looks like they had no idea for a new design.

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Shiri
18 May 2008

I’m actually not a fan of that… It’s in the right direction but theres a lot that I don’t like. The fact the roof inverts in the middle looks horrid… the Overbite is a bit too much… The rear quater looks like it drops off too much.

For me, I odn’t like it, but I think the 370z should look more like the 240z

[Reply to this comment]
- Comment by Ya
  13 December 2008
  
  The overbite that you mention actually looks correct. Just that there is no front bumper. Personally I’d never take my chrome bumper off for any front scoop.
  
  [Reply to this comment]
Comment by Alan Li
19 May 2008

I like that nose more than the concept one, but I think the headlights could still be bigger. They seem a tad too small for the nosecone.

And yeah, those tail lights are definitely a no-go. Not a big fan of the side scoops feeding a non-existent engine, either.

On balance, I like it.

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Malcolm Flynn
22 May 2008

I don’t think the taillights are too bad, but would suit a modern day Miura more.

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by powers
27 May 2008

I already told this guy (he posted it on productdesignforums.com) I wasn’t a big fan. Sure, it looks great, but I agree big time about the scoops. They have nothing to do with the Z language. Never have. As the writer pointed out, other than the first couple models, the Z car has been moderately to drastically different each release with fairly decent reception. Unlike the Mustang which had become uncontrollably hideous by 2007, there is no real reason to retrofy the design. And just like the scoops, there is no logic for designing a throwback, it doesn’t fit into the Nissan design scheme.

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by nissanfreak
22 July 2008

I like the above not perfect as some people pointed out ie like the side vents and rear lights had nothing to do with 240z.But ill pay money for this Z than the current 350z or the so called 370z (350z with restyled lights really) woopdie doo.

Nissan should start designing nice cars like they did before ie z31 and z32 were great looking cars same as silvia and 180sx. what happend since the french took over?

new Micra and Tiida what a heap of S@#T. i can believe ppl pay money to drive these things.

what made 510 and S30 240z so good is they were relaible cheap and very good looking also performance to back it up.I dont mind the retro design on new cars give them character and everyone can recognise the icon cars. ie mustang, cobra, beetle, mini etc…….

If the recepie worked then sure it can work now and get nissan out of the doodoo.

though ill give them bit of heads up the pathfinder and new GTR are hot machines. Pitty everything else sucks.

i love my nissans but most of the current stable is very ugly and boring.

[Reply to this comment]
Comment by Nino
11 December 2008

This is the second time I’ve come across this concept design. Both times I had the same “problems” with it. The taillights starting high in the middle and tapering off to the sides gives it a weak feeling, and the exhaust in the middle leans heavily toward european mimicry. If you want to “beef” it up a little, which i personally would, the tail end needs to come up to a lip like an old mustang rather than fade like an austin martin or a porsche. Unfortunately if you were to raise the back it would be nearly identical to the original. I’d rather they did something original and reproduce the first gen. with performance/comfort mods., but that’s just the opinion of a consumer, and will be ignored I’m sure. To any others like me, I suggest mastering the art of fiber-glassing if you want a car you can enjoy driving. Just make it yourself.

[Reply to this comment]