Nissan 370Z to live on

Contrary to rumours Nissan would kill off its 370Z, the company says it will produce a successor for its entry-level rear-drive sports car.

Even before it was revealed at September's Frankfurt motor show, Nissan had suggested that its sleek, coupe-like Gripz concept could preview the first Z-badged SUV, positioned alongside or slightly above the JUKE in the Japanese brand's already-expansive SUV range.

Combined with news that Nissan's next-generation Z sports car, which was previously expected to downsize and adopt four-cylinder hybrid power, that led to reports the sporty new compact SUV would sound the death knell for the 370Z.

But such reports are untrue says, the man responsible for overseeing development of the next Nissan GT-R and 370Z, NISMO's chief product specialist Hiroshi Tamura.

Asked if the Gripz – the 'z' in which is a direct reference to Nissan's famed Z badge -- would replace the 370Z, Tamura said: "No, I don't want to do that".

"I have a passion. My status as chief product specialist is not only NISMO product planner. I have to do this also for base GT-R and 370Z," he stated.

The Gripz was a 'different animal', he explained. "That is my understanding".

Sports cars may be cool and sexy but they're becoming decreasingly profitable while the opposite is true for SUVs, which are selling their pants off globally.

In fact, Tamura-san says a vehicle like the Gripz could in fact contribute to the next 370Z's success, by sharing components with the next Zed car and thereby spreading development costs.

"I can say this [Gripz] is one of the concept ideas. Maybe, I said maybe, we can share the platform like that [next Z]?" he observed.

He wouldn't be drawn on the future design or engineering direction of the next Zed, but hinted that it could be a more mainstream vehicle – but don't expect the Datsun 1600-chanelling iDX concept to morph into the new Z, says Tamura.

"That was a vision. It's a vision, just an idea," he said.

However, the current 3.7-litre V6-powered 370Z, which is priced from around $57,000 in Australia, will almost certainly be replaced by something smaller, more affordable and more efficient.

"What customer do I need to chase? That's my job," he said, referencing the need to build a sports car that is popular.

Tamura confessed that he is asked the Z-car question more than any other by fans and journalists, and although he wouldn’t talk about the timing for the 370Z replacement, he inferred that he would not be rushed.

Indeed, motoring.com.au sources indicate a new Z remains at least two years away.