Never has the passing of an automobile line been as felt as the loss of the two greatest Japanese sportscar legends: the Nissan 300ZX and the Mazda RX-7. No doubt affected by the global recession and weakening demand for high-performance cars, these two became nothing more than legend.
Though still being sold in limited quantities in its homeland of Japan, the rest of the world felt that the absence of these flagship sportscars meant that both Nissan and Mazda materially loss their respective brand imaging. Though both continued to make reliable, easy-to-own automobiles, there was less passion—as if the passion was drained out for the sake of the bottom line.
Nissan 350Z
In the mid-1990’s, both of these companies suffered major losses, and it took the help of a corporate takeover in order to resurrect them to their former glory. Nissan is a perfect example. Taken in by the French manufacturer, Renault, Nissan immediately became the target of massive cost-cutting measures such as factory closures as well as lay-offs. The plans all made perfect sense, bringing Nissan back into the black. However, Nissan President Carlos Ghosn had one particular project that didn’t fit the entire strategy for Nissan: the resurrection of the Z car.
At that time, it made little sense for a car company that has been struggling to invest a huge sum of money to create a new sportscar. That was, until the blueprint was showed off to the public. The goal was simple: to create a two-seater coupe that is clearly modern, but carries on the Z tradition. In addition, to make it successful, it had to be cheap—priced at around USD 30,000.
The final result was nothing short of fantastic. The new rear-wheel drive platform serves as a shortened version of the Infiniti G35’s—which will be the basis for the new GT-R. The suspension system boasts of an Independent Multi-Link arrangement for both front and back, emphasizing on the 350Z’s sporty demeanor.
Powering the new Z car is Nissan’s highly potent and smooth V6 engine plucked straight from the VQ family. With a lengthened bore, the resulting 3.5-liter displacement meant that the 350Z has a horsepower rating of 287 bhp and 371 Nm. In addition, the VQ35DE features an expanded power range thanks to the reworking of the intake port as well as the addition of the Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System or CVTCS. Mated to a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, the 350Z can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in the region of 6.0 seconds—putting it in the same league as a Jaguar XK8 and a Porsche Boxster.
In terms of design, the 350Z is certainly aggressive with its slim profile and low beltline that are contrasted with bulging flared fenders. 18-inch tires fill the wheel arches all around, measuring 225/45 up front and 245/45 at the back. The rear is certainly similar to the Z concept, characterized by dropping triangular taillamps and a sloping roofline that’s similar to a Porsche 911.
The interior tells a tale of both being retro and fresh at the same time. The large tachometer flanked by a speedometer and temperature/fuel gauge. Much like the original 240Z, the 350Z has three smaller auxiliary gauges which are placed on the top of the center dash.
Thanks to an all-aluminum engine and an extensive weight-loss program, the 350Z is bantam at 1431 kilograms. It makes the latest Z car the closest in spirit to the original one back in the 1970’s.
Mazda RX-8
Though Mazda proved that a rotary-powered engine can win the grueling 24-hours of Le Mans, the Hiroshima-based company had to pull the plug on the increasingly expensive RX-7 two-seater coupe back in the mid-1990’s. A shame, since the Wankel powerplant has been part of the company’s core engine range since the original one came out underneath the Cosmo Sport in 1961.
Despite running without its flagship sportscar, Mazda continued on, building a ‘softer’ set of sport-oriented automobiles from the MX5 Miata to the 323 (Protégé) and the Tribute. However, like Nissan, automotive enthusiasts longed for the return of the Wankel engine—and it seems that the long wait has finally paid off.
Dubbed the RX-8, this is not the replacement for the RX-7 according to Mazda engineers. An evolution of the EX-Evolv concept, the RX-8 is a genuine four-seater coupe with ample space and a unique way for ingress / egress: the use of suicide doors. This enables the removal of the B-pillar thereby giving the RX-8 a sporty appearance without necessarily being impractical.
Powering the RX-8 is the next-generation Wankel engine dubbed the Renesis (Rotary Engine Genesis). Mazda engineers made extensive revisions to make the Renesis powerplant more potent, fuel efficient and environmentally sound as ever. In order to achieve this, the Renesis features side exhaust ports. Relocating these ports from the trochoid housing to the side plate accomplishes two things: eliminating the port opening overlap, thereby improving the engine’s combustion character. Second, it allows the intake and exhaust ports to be significantly bigger compared to its predecessor, allowing better breathing. In addition, the Renesis features a three-stage induction system that makes the rotary an efficient fuel burner.
The new Renesis engine pumps out 250 bhp and 220 Nm of torque from just 1.3 liters of displacement (its BHP per liter is staggering at 191.1). It does it without the need for a forced air induction system, just an insanely high redline of 8,500 rpm.
Like its Mazda MX5 Miata, the RX-8 features a short-throw gearbox manufactured by Aisin. In service on the RX-8 is a 6-speed close-ratio gearbox propelling the RX-8 to 100 km/h in just a bit over 6.0 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.5 seconds.
The RX-8 is not just about the revolutionary powerplant either. The chassis were specially designed for this car, employing the use of independent suspension throughout: Double Wishbone upfront and a Five-Link arrangement at the back. Along with a lightweight body (the RX-8 weighs in at just 1350 kilograms) and 225/45 ZR18 tires all-around, it makes this car a highly chuckable and a delight to drive.
Development for the RX-8 took a long time, but it seems that all the effort will pay-off. Being breathed in the same line as the more expensive BMW 330Ci, the RX-8 will definitely captivate the entire automotive industry with an entry price of just USD 29,000. It doesn’t stop there as Mazda is now doing plans of resurrecting the RX-7 two-seater sportscar using the RX-8 as a basis. For now however, everyone is glad with the return of the rotary.
The Future
With new found design and engineering direction thanks to the return of its respective flagship sportscars, both Nissan and Mazda are indeed becoming as healthy as ever. The former is now introducing more cars utilizing the same platform and engine as the 350Z—culminating ultimately in a turbocharged version found in the next-generation GT-R. The latter is also reinventing its entire line. Using the RX-Evolv as the design basis, Mazda has successfully transformed its ailing line-up into one of an enthusiast’s dream: the 6, 2 and the upcoming 3 all are testaments to this.
The future is certainly very bright for the cars from the land of rising sun. There’s little doubt that after a long while of being without corporate direction, these will turn out to be winners.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos Courtesy of Nissan Motors and Mazda Corp.
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