A glimpse of Nissan's future coupe

Nissan has provided the first real clues to an imminent junior brother to the 350Z (soon to be replaced by the 370Z) via this shadowy silhouette of the proposed coupe.

Following in the wake of the 370Z hidden behind a tautly stretched sheet of fabric (more here), this leaked image appeared in Japan's Best Car magazine and was allegedly shown at the Nissan GT 2012 meeting.

What it reveals (sort of) is a compact coupe that will be pitched against the upcoming entry-level sports car that Toyota and Subaru are jointly conceiving.

The new Nissan will essentially shape up as a 'mini-Z' and fill the void left by the defunct 200SX (aka Silvia) -- retaining the front-engine/rear-drive format of that car.

It's believed the as-yet-unnamed coupe will use a shortened version of the 350Z's Front-Midship architecture, with motive power coming from a high-revving four-cylinder engine.

Nissan provided the first evidence that such a car was in the pipeline as long ago as the 2006 Detroit motor show, where it unveiled the wacky Urge concept (pictured).

Although one needn't read too much into the motorcycle-inspired design language of the concept, it did provide some telling clues.

At the time, Nissan said the Urge featured a "quick, small-displacement, high-revving engine", six-speed manual sequential gearbox and a front engine/rear-wheel drive layout. It also touted a target weight under 1100kg.

Best Car magazine has speculated that motive power for the proposed coupe could come from a 1.6 or 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct-injection -- and possibly a variable compression ratio system -- and outputs of up to 165kW are being suggested, which would put the coupe in the same ballpark as the 200SX.

The Japanese magazine suggests the coupe is 4350mm long and 1750mm wide, with a wheelbase spanning 2550mm. If these figures are accurate, the coupe would measure roughly 100mm shorter, but 50mm wider, than the 200SX (which was discontinued in 2002).

Not too much can be gleaned from the partial rendering, other than an impression of a sweeping roofline and chiseled flanks. The finished article is expected to launch in 2010, but a debut appearance at the 2009 Tokyo motor show isn't out of the question.

To comment on this article click here