[kbl911]

It does still surprise me, yes, though I'd never suggest the error lies with Nissan. "Z" was totally the correct name. People don't always seek out correct information and update things in their minds to align with reality as opposed to rumor, innuendo, or their own misunderstanding.

I look at it like this: you've no doubt heard how many people call the restaurant "Chipotle" something like "ChiPOLte," no? Regardless of correction, it's just stuck in their minds. People are sloppy thinkers.

 

[G37]

The amount of times I still hear people refer to the Z as the 400Z since the production model was revealed has been baffling. I hear 400Z so much it makes me wonder if Nissan did the right thing with the naming.

I still think it was the right call because the Z doesn't have a 4.0L engine so it wouldn't fit the naming scheme and it makes naming easier for Nissan going forward. But for a lot of people 400Z seems entrenched in people's minds and I don't see it changing for them at this point.

Maybe it's just me that's still thinking about it at this point but is anyone else surprised with how many people still call it 400Z?

“Z” isn’t a bad name at all. The 400 denotes hp and there’ll likely be at least one hp bump with the Nismo, if not with the standard or performance somewhere down the line and I’m sure 401Z or 413Z aren’t names anyone would want. That said, 300Z (or 300Z TT) or my favorite, 300ZX TT, all have a nice ring to them but it’s too late for any new nomenclature, so no more tears.

 

[325]

The 300 was named for the liter size of the engine (3.0), and not the TT horsepower. Auto TT's are 280hp and N/A's are 220hp.

 

[Alanz196]

Should have left it Fairlady Z. People who own Zs know that’s the true name of it. The Z is a legacy car owned by enthusiasts.

 

[THaskins]

At this point I use how people name the car as a litmus test for how much they care about the car and are invested in it. If they call it the Z that's a good start for me and if they say 400Z it raises some eyebrows.

 

[takemorepills]

"400" would have been a re-interpretation of the established naming protocol, which was always based around engine displacement.

I can't/couldn't believe how so many people disregard the naming heritage of the car so they can insist on calling it 400.

I think Nissan dropped the numerical reference for 2 reasons:

1. Marketers are DUMB, and probably balked at the car being called "300Z" due to the numerical retrograde. "300Z" is actually an unused name, and Nissan had no issues using "300ZX" for 2 different generations. Anyways, marketers probably want to name a future SUV after the Z.....so eff 'em

2. Dropping the numerical reference allows a "send-off" of the nameplate.

The moment I see an "automotive pundit" call the Z a "400Z" I immediately check the publish date, and if it is post Z reveal, I immediately write them off as a hack.

 

[Betazero]

If its named a Z they can drop an electric motor in it or hybrid setup and its still a Z. I like the simple Z name plate. Also, it falls in line with the GT-R. Just a name no number.

 

[kbl911]

If its named a Z they can drop an electric motor in it or hybrid setup and its still a Z. I like the simple Z name plate. Also, it falls in line with the GT-R. Just a name no number.

This is a great point - the Nissan sports cars share their own unique nomenclature within the lineup, that being simply alphabetic.

 

[Nate D]

The amount of times I still hear people refer to the Z as the 400Z since the production model was revealed has been baffling. I hear 400Z so much it makes me wonder if Nissan did the right thing with the naming.

I still think it was the right call because the Z doesn't have a 4.0L engine so it wouldn't fit the naming scheme and it makes naming easier for Nissan going forward. But for a lot of people 400Z seems entrenched in people's minds and I don't see it changing for them at this point.

Maybe it's just me that's still thinking about it at this point but is anyone else surprised with how many people still call it 400Z?

Traditionally, there has been a number and then the letter Z from the 240 Z on---so I like consistency. 400Z works for me

 

[G37]

Traditionally, there has been a number and then the letter Z from the 240 Z on---so I like consistency. 400Z works for me

The number preceding the “Z” was always denoting engine displacement. A 240Z had a 2.4L engine, 260Z was a 2.6L, a 280ZX was a 2.8L engine, a 300ZX was a 3.0L. So if you like consistency, the “400Z” would be totally INconsistent. The new Z should be a 300Z by your logic.

 

[THaskins]

If its named a Z they can drop an electric motor in it or hybrid setup and its still a Z. I like the simple Z name plate. Also, it falls in line with the GT-R. Just a name no number.

It certainly is a way for them to future-proof the name for any upcoming hybrid/electric Zs that come down the road.

 

[sdot]

I was always skeptical when rumors came out that it would be called the 400Z. Naming a model after the hp number just seems stupid and limiting. If the Nismo version comes with increased horsepower, are you going to call it the 450Z? 400Z just never made any sense.

 

[Nate D]

The number preceding the “Z” was always denoting engine displacement. A 240Z had a 2.4L engine, 260Z was a 2.6L, a 280ZX was a 2.8L engine, a 300ZX was a 3.0L. So if you like consistency, the “400Z” would be totally INconsistent. The new Z should be a 300Z by your logic.

Live and learn. Thanks

 

[Rusty]

I was always skeptical when rumors came out that it would be called the 400Z. Naming a model after the hp number just seems stupid and limiting. If the Nismo version comes with increased horsepower, are you going to call it the 450Z? 400Z just never made any sense.

Yeah that's true. It would be funny if the horsepower wasn't a round number and it would be something like the 435Z or something.

 

[neeyee8]

People are entitled to call it what they want. Nissan didn't make a mistake. Who knows maybe the name calling and enthusiasm is what willed it into existence. Now its here some feel like they have the right to call it that. They did take it on themselves to advocate for the car. Whats the issue if they want to give it a nickname like Bullit or Zendaya lol...

 

[kbl911]

People are entitled to call it what they want. Nissan didn't make a mistake. Who knows maybe the name calling and enthusiasm is what willed it into existence.

While it's true that people are entitled to call literally anything whatever they like, it doesn't prevent them from sounding deeply ignorant when they do so. Sort of like confidently mispronouncing words makes someone sound unintelligent.
I also don't think people referring to the Z as "400Z" had any material impact on this vehicle existing. I can't see any argument for that since it was already confirmed for production by the time that really caught steam in any mainstream way. The enthusiasm for a new Z wasn't based on it being referred to by many as "400Z," come on...

 

[neeyee8]

There are bigger things to worry about than some silly naming convention. Also had the same snarky remarks on Youtube, when people searched for it under that tag. You can assume people are ignorant based on unofficial name tags, thats up to you. Youre the same people that bang on about free speech yet you want to "dictate" to people what a car only 0.05% of the market care about is being called by a few youth. Within the car community I say let people live. Same way people smack widebodies or make renders and name it something thats not Z.

Its all part of the hype. Even Nissan sales people were calling it 400Z at one point. Not sure what the complex is. Its really not that deep. Too much time on something thats not that important.

Guess what when I used "400z" it tagged more than 2000 videos on YouTube as well as topped the search before the official unveil. Ofcourse I used 400Z tags. It would be silly not to as thats what people were searching. Yet people had a complex about it. I kept using it because why not.

Some people dont like it being called 400Z. Its just that it never bothered me as Im not a stakeholder in any of this.

Live and let live.

 

[kbl911]

This is still a roundabout way of landing on the same point - people who refer to the new Z, a car with an official name given by its maker, by a name that was only once rumored are free to continue to do so. It simply looks sloppy.

 

[neeyee8]

What differentiates this Z from previous Z. Its still a Z34, it still has the moniker Z. I wonder why it came up in the algorithm as a legitimate search. Z34.2....

Thats how people differentiate it in searches from previous Z. Anyway each to their own. I had a commenter saying hes getting a 400Z number plate in Canada. Thats his choice. Its not for me to attach playground insults to the convo.

Sloppy, ignorant whatever names are associated with "400Z" it is what it is. When people say 400Z i already know what theyre talking about. If they say Z it could be any of the Z that have been made since 1969.

thats my 2 cents. Take care.