Originally Posted by HellBent (Post 3355)

I say B.S...

No car company introduces such a huge spread of models the first year. No way, no how.

It would be marketing suicide. Any first year marketing student will tell you, that they will introduce a base model the first year that will hopefully be a new performance benchmark and technological "tour de force" at their price point. Then as the bugs are worked out and intrest fades slightly they will add a performance or trim level to increase interest again in the second or third model year.

Then possibly in the third or fourth model year they introduce a new "halo" version, to boost sagging sales and waning interest. It could come sooner if there is a new competitor that emerges, although not likely.

For good examples, see the Corvette and ZO6 or Mustang and Cobra examples.

-AL

Originally Posted by 02HREBlue (Post 3370)

The Evo is a MUCH cheaper and more widely available car. I would be EXTREMELY surprised if there is more than one model the first year, especially with its extremely low production numbers anticipated. I just don't see it happening at all! It would not be an appropriate introduction in my mind-it would dilute the car and confuse people from the start.

Its going to bring more horsepower than you are stating simply because there soon will be quite a few sports cars with 500 horsepower including such common cars as the Mustang! The new Vette(base will be 450+ hp and the SS/Blue Devel 600-700!)is going to smoke, so Nissan better bring the bacon. I am confident they are holding their cards close to the vest, and that we will not be disappointed when it is introduced at the next Tokyo Autoshow. They have not waited 5+years with such secrecy to take second fiddle. They are waiting so they can better size up the competition and trump it outright.

By the way, I was reading that the new M3 V-8 will be lighter than the previous generation M3 inline 6! I still think it will be a larger displacement V-6(4+Liter) or even a V-8(4.5L), since the extra displacement gives outstanding torque characteristics without peak or excessive boost, which makes for outstanding drivability and wider tunability. V-8's are more compact than the inline 6, and with all the exotic materials such as mag and aluminum alloys, I think it is a great possibility.

:smilie_th

Originally Posted by ghotnit (Post 3375)

Nissan has a habit of doing that. remember the new Z car? It had three variants all due to performance parts. The price difference was not as great but there were three variants. I do like the price though. Maybe the "Evolution" variant is a Nismo tune given its large price difference. 30k is a lot of carbon fiber and the cost for CF is much lower now.

Originally Posted by HellBent (Post 3496)

Not quite what I was talking about.

I was comparing Mustand and Cobra, or Corvette and Zo6.

What you are saying is Mustang, Mustang GT, Mustang Mach1, etc...

The different versions of the Z are merely window dressing. What was suggested by the article is significantly evolved cars that command significantly different pricepoints. That would put these is different niche markets. I don't see Nissan doing that the first year. Unless of course it is a Japanese market only ploy...

-AL