Quote:
Originally Posted by exitspeed
I could care less if they call is a suckpornocock-chassis as long as they build this MF thing and it turns out well.
Thats all.  |
Quoted for truth.
The R-chassis (BNR/ECR) converted to V-chassis when it went under the FR platform. The Z-chassis stayed 'Z' when it moved to the FR, even though a Z car didn't exist for six or so years prior to the FR platform's debut. The S-chassis has been dead for six years now, and following Nissan's previous business model it makes sense another Silvia/200sx/240sx/Whatever marketing name you choose for your market will return to use soon.
Speaking of marketing and what the consumer will see since chassis codes are not important to them in the least, I'm going to look back to the Z33 for the potential answer behind names although it is complete and utter speculation. The Z33 in the US = 350Z with the 350 being understated and more commonly referred to as Z. In Japan the Z is called the FairladyZ still. Baring this in mind a new Silvia may retain Silvia as it's name in Japan with the abroad marketed name for the US to be (Engine Displacement)S, ex: 250S or understated like the Z, it would be commonly referred as the new S from Nissan.
The chassis designation could go either way honestly, from my research. All depends upon what the internal designers choose, obviously the R-chassis went away as there was no plan to continue the Skyline GT-R trim at the time and thus the V-chassis replaced it. The new GT-R will more than likely receive R-35 or R-36 for it's chassis code. The S-chassis name could fall under the FR platform as well and my money is that it will but there is still an equal chance that it may be called something completely different.
Something to remember is S-chassis remained almost the same throughout the S13, S14 and S15 lifespan with only minor adjustments to the underpinning and suspension. While they were all improvements, they still sat atop the same weak structure, even as badass as it may be.
Even with the S12 and S110, a lot of stuff can swap on to them between the later S-chassis cars, albeit the S110 and S12 shared a good deal more suspension-wise with the S30 and Z31. The fault of the S13 and beyond was that the chassis was not as stiff as comparable chassis of modern times are, thus they flexed easily in use and even worse upon impact in an accident/collision.
I welcome the newer stiffness and updated suspension geometry of the FR platform but I don't want the fat. The FR platform is a good bit heavier, longer and 'taller' than the older S-chassis ever was. I think the Z is allowed to be heavier as it always offered more muscle, more power, more features and the clout of being a Z-car. The G35 (Skyline in Japan), is allowed for the same reasons as well as being targeted as a 'GT' car, larger and four seats but still sporty. It also carries with it a lot of luxury and comfort in between it all.
The new replacement for the S-chassis should be of similar goals as the ones before it. Lightweight (under 3000lbs is fair), it should sit low and wide to offer an aggressive stance and handling but not appear stout like the V/Z cars. Power output I don't expect much in the US as we never received much in that realm from Nissan with the 'younger' cars but a naturally-aspirated MR20, with some improvements to peak above The 170hp mark (current QR numbers) or in mind of how the KA stayed with the S-chassis, the QR may hang around in 2.5L fashion to 'tide us over'. In Japan I fully expect either a MR20 in turbo form producing ~250hp with lower-end N/A models available as well to help meet ROI on the chassis. I don't think they'd ever take a step backwards and the S15 left a somewhat high level of expectation to maintain.
I am eating all of this up, with the advent of Toyota possibly waking up and smelling the enthusiast market and not the douchebag trend-kids market the Scion lineup currently caters to, Hyundai stepping up with the Tiburon replacement and now Nissan coming back to us with the GT-R and the hopeful future of a smaller RWD coupe from them to fit under the Z's chubby skirt I don't know what to do with my automotive purchase in the near future. I just hope the styling changes from the Urge and other concepts substantially, I cannot stand that bubbly-fat and tall idea on what is meant to be a small and nimble creature.