280 plus hp?

[Wiz]

Allright, I've been refreshing the North American International Auto Show's page whole day today and finally they've mentioned the 350Z debut. All in all it's fine but still, despite all the promises to reveal everything (and even almost being able to touch the Z, like they said at nissandriven.com) on Jan 8th, there is still a big mistery about the car...

What do they mean by announcing 280+ hp at the Detroit Show? And again, wait for yet another announce on Jan 15th? Is it that hard to finally say what that powerplant would be capable of? What's all that talk about different trims of the Z (the race version and stuff)? Don't you guys think it's a little "unfair" to keep in undisclosed for that long? I'm ready to go anywhere and get it but still virtually nothing "carved in stone".

Seems I'm still stuck with Audi TT

[Vertigo]

You would think that when it finally came time to show the production version that they would be able to give all of the specs. I would like to know what the race version is all about. I have heard that even now that they are tinkering with the engine and suspension and the only thing that is truly locked in the exerior/interior styling. I guess we'll all just go back to waiting again

[Wiz]

When it comes to a race version of virtually any car (just like it was with the last year Cobra-someting from Ford), I always envision the stripped-down version of a production car with pumped-up engine and no suspension at all I mean c'mon, what would you add to a pretty decent 350Z? A meter-long spoiler and 20-inch wheels maybe and no audio probably. I'm just curious what the hell were they thinking when they announced a PRODUCTION car with unknown horsepower? 280-plus does not make much sence to me, it's like saying that "you bet the car's gonna have four wheels, you know, that round stuff you often see in pairs on the side of the car".
Perhaps I'm just a little disappointed of waiting for the Detroit auto show to reveal the car's specs and being down in a wait-line again infuriates me.

[LowFuel]

Heya Wiz, I'm in the same boat as you - Audi TT current owner.

Anyway, my only guess is that they are probably trying to decide if they want to do any engine changes for the various models - I wouldnt mind seeing the Track version with a few extra tunes to give it another 10 or 15 hp.

But, frankly, as long as it's starting at 280hp on the base model, I am not complaining. It's a 100 more than I'm used to.

[Chris]

I don't entirely trust Nissan's power numbers. The SE-R didn't quite live up to expectations. and the Maxima was also down graded. So I'll pray for the gov't to mandate rear wheel power ratings.

[CaseyAZ]

"So I'll pray for the gov't to mandate rear wheel power ratings"

Great idea, at the least they should have a goverment webpage you can go to that has every vehicle model with their wheel HP figures. The goverment should do the testing in their own facility, or the same reputable dyno shop, under the same conditions every time. They should also list the vehicles weight that they test too.