[zenki]

Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's SVP of global design, will be speaking about the Z Proto during a Q&A on Thursday, December 10 at 6:00 pm (et) with Road & Track, for Episode 7 of Inside Track. If you could ask him a question about the Z Proto, what would it be?

 

[SPOHN]

1. Release Date
2. Actually Name
3. Them Brakes

 

[triso07]

• Is the black roof making it to production? Will it be optional?
• Is that katana blade making it to production?
• Is the carbon fiber plastic making it to production?
• Will there be an upgraded leather interior option?
• What are the paint options?
• Will there be color options for the wheels? (black, etc)?

I assume he won't answer these, but ...

• What's the release date?
• What's the name of the car?
• Are we getting those brakes?
• Is the digital screen standard or optional?
• Will there be a dual mode exhaust option?
• Engine size?
• HP/TQ?
• Weight?
• Price?

 

[Rusty]

• Is the black roof making it to production? Will it be optional?
• Is that katana blade making it to production?
• Is the carbon fiber plastic making it to production?
• Will there be an upgraded leather interior option?
• What are the paint options?
• Will there be color options for the wheels? (black, etc)?

I assume he won't answer these, but ...

• What's the release date?
• What's the name of the car?
• Are we getting those brakes?
• Is the digital screen standard or optional?
• Will there be a dual mode exhaust option?
• Engine size?
• HP/TQ?
• Weight?
• Price?

The black roof and katana blade would be ones I'd ask.

I'd also ask about what Nismo has in store for the Z but there's no way they'd answer that.

 

[GI Gyoza]

I’d ask what the plans were in regards to the color palette offered for the new Z. Will they reach into the vault and offer “vintage” or “heritage” inspired colors. And also the black roof being optional.

 

[triso07]

• Is there a reason you chose not to do a single large round headlamp inside the headlight casing to more closely resemble the 240z?
• Are the vertical slats under the headlights next to the grill in the bumper intended to force air to the brakes or just a styling element?
• Is that the new Nissan logo? Doesn't quite look like the logo images.
• Are the black mirrors optional?
• Are the floor mats proto specific?
• Is the interior color matched stitching proto specific or intended for production?
• Are the innards of the grill proto only or intended for production?
• What made you go with an upward moving line from the door to the front fender?

 

[zenki]

Great questions everyone. Looking forward to what Road & Track asks compared what we have. A Q&A with reservation holders would be great but I imagine it might dig too deep.

 

[zenki]

The Q&A will go LIVE in 30 Minutes!

TUNE IN HERE:
Inside Track Ep. 7: Nissan's Senior Vice President for Global Design, Alfonso Albaisa Interviewed Live

 

[SPOHN]

Preparing to be let down.

 

[zenki]

Preparing to be let down.

That's very possible. I hope they'll share new info we actually want.

 

[zenki]

The Q&A is live now.

Is the stream choppy for anyone, or is it just me?

 

[zenki]

Nothing exciting yet but its great to hear how him seeing the Z32 clay model was a transformative, explosive moment. Due to its minimalism, purity, provocative engineering and effortlessness. Years later we find a lot of that in the Z Proto!

 

[280driver]

Nothing exciting yet but its great to hear how him seeing the Z32 clay model was a transformative, explosive moment. Due to its minimalism, purity, provocative engineering and effortlessness. Years later we find a lot of that in the Z Proto!

Thanks. Please keep those of us that can’t listen informed of any new info.

 

[zenki]

He wanted to capture the 240z in not a casual manner and that can be seen in this side profile comparison.
The overall idea however was a bow to the 300ZX, which is obvious to us now.

 

[zenki]

Some new design elements relating to Japanese culture were worked in. Like this Katana sword that influenced the roof line and it clearly works exceptionally well!

 

[zenki]

He said the new cabin not only resembles the Z32 but also feels a lot like it.

 

[SPOHN]

25 minutes in I’m out. So beyond disappointing. This guy and every other interviewer just want to talk he’s life and inspiration. The same things we’ve heard ten fold.

 

[zenki]

As for actual secrets and anything new, he said "there's more to come" but provided no direction on what and when.

The Q&A has ended.

...it was a puff piece after all...

 

[SPOHN]

So what is their direction for getting the company back right? No money in stalling.

 

[zenki]

So what is their direction for getting the company back right? No money in stalling.

8 new EVs by 2023 is part of it.