(click for bigger pic)

Nissan says the Azeal concept that will be at the Detroit auto show next month is a fresh look at the "pocket rocket" high-performance small car segment.

This sketch of the concept gives the impression that the Azeal could also be called the "Mini Z," with similarities in the roof line and fenders to Nissan's 350Z sports car.

The Azeal is the first concept created at the design studio in Nissan's technical center in Farmington Hills, Mich.

The automaker is searching for a successor to the Sentra that has more emotional appeal. The Sentra is scheduled to be redesigned for either the 2006 or 2007 model year.

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101449

 

It's just a sketch, but I'm certainly open to the idea.

 

it looks like an Audi TT

 

If they build it,I hope they make it a performer,not just a sporty LOOKING car with low performance.

 

almost looks like a tC

 

Looks much better than the Audi TT and Scion tC, kids.
A Sentra-based coupe that has design themes from the Z?
The only question I have is: "why not!" (okay, that wasn't a question.)

 

I'd prefer if this was made into a 240SX-like rwd vehicle rather than a Sentra that looks like a Z. The only problem is just like Nissan didn't want an equal-to-Silvia level of performance out of the 240XSX because it would overlap with the 300ZX, I think that even if it is made rwd it won't have a lot of power because of the 350Z. The one advantage we have against such a lack of power happening is that at the time of the 240's introduction in 1989, the Z31 300ZX had either 200 hp in n/a form or 222 hp as a turbo. The 1990 Z32 300ZX had a 222 hp n/a option or the 300 hp twin turbo. In either case, a 200 hp turbo S13 was deemed by Nissan USA to be too close to the base Z and thus was only sold with the 2.4 liter n/a motor. Now that there is no relatively underpowered base model Z, and the 350Z has 287 hp, that would leave more room for a smaller, lighter car to have a good if not amazing amount of power. Looking at the Altima, it has a detuned version of the VQ35DE engine shared with the Z as its upgraded engine option with either 250, or in the case of the SE-R 260, horsepower. The base QR25DE 2.5 liter inline four has 175 hp. Since the 350Z has 287 hp, a production version of this Azeal thing could still have somewhere in the range of 200 to 220 hp and still maintain enough distance between itself and the 350Z.

 

Given the choice, I'd go with the four cylinder. Say you rework the QR25, ditching the balance shafts, the close-coupled cat, the spindly conrods and economy-biased valvetrain. Up the compression ratio to around 10.5:1, and build it for an 8K redline. Probably drop displacement down to 2.2L... but it'll still deliver a healthy amount of torque...Presto, modern day "S16" Silvia.

 

i dont think it would be too likely to see a small rwd car from nissan any time soon. they wont be able to share the platform enough to keep the costs down to a point where the car would be profitable. Unless they also build a nissan crossover suv off the same platform. I'd be happy with an awd...but prices might still be a lil high.

 

But wouldn't AWD have greater constraints in terms of space and cost?
That's why I proposed using the Z's transaxle, diff and driveshafts (obviously shortened to fit the new platform).
And since you mentioned it, Nissan could benefit from a mini-ute to go up against the RAV4 and the CR-V. :dunno: Sounds like justification for me.