GTR Proto

[<SSR>David]

sheesh 60K is too much for me also. I was hoping =D it would be in the price rang of a 350z but that is only a dream =D

[HellBent]

Originally Posted by nismo_power

with the mark of the new GT-R, it will also mark infini's launch into the worldwide market. even in japan.

as per prices....most rumors seem to indicate that estimates will be in the 60k price range. which will be far out of reach for johnny tuner.

As Nissan... uhhhh.. errr.. Infiniti is taking the more technical route to performance (i.e. electrically assited turbos, possibly elecric motors driving front wheels, etc...), I don't see the new GTR coming in under $60k either. For that price though they will really need to bring the heat.

There is going to be a lot of hot iron on the market in that price range come 2007! May not be good for Nissan, but it will be great for who ever has $60k+ burning a hole in their pocket!

-AL

[VQuick]

Even if the GT-R is $70k, it will still be cheaper than a lot of the competition.

For example, the GT-R is supposed to be targeting the 911. I very much doubt that the 911 model in question is the standard Carerra or even the Carerra S. A GT-R with well over 400hp would simply be overkill. That means that the Turbo is probably the target. Even at $70k, the GT-R will be around the same price as a Carerra, while offering comparable performance to a Turbo, which should cost over $120k. Sounds like a good deal to me.

The NSX already costs $90k. Its replacement, with even newer technology, will probably cost even more.

The Lexus 'LF-A' is already rumored to be over the $100k mark, although performance of its test mule appears to be even with the GT-R's mule ont he Nurburgring.

I don't know how much the E90 M3 will cost, but I imagine the GT-R might be able to even take on the more expensive CSL version that is supposed to come along later.

I don't think anyone will beat the Z06 in terms of bang for buck. However, there are other attributes people look for in a car. For example, the C6 Vette is not built in RHD. That's important to some people, and the other mentioned cars will have an advantage in that area. Some people want a bit more luxury too, and that leaves more room for other manufacturers to get some sales. Of course the most obvious factor is that GM probably won't be able to make a Z06 for everyone that can afford one, so those people will turn elsewhere.

The GT-R might seem a bit expensive, but it could be something of a bargain compared to other machinery out there. Of course, some of the competiton can rely on an established reputation to generate sales.

Oh, and good point about the 350Z. Rumor has it that the replacement in 2009 might be a little more hardcore. Apparently Nissan liked the direction Porsche took with the Cayman, and wants to try that route with the next Z car. The 350Z is already available with more power than the Cayman S(291hp vs 300hp), so the Z just needs to shed some weight.

[Rocky The Rook]

The GT-R Proto is a prototype of the next GT-R. The 'new Skyline' has been out since 2002. The Infiniti G35 is the US version.

Trying to learn about cars? Here's a short lesson. The 'Skyline' you're probably talking about is only the top level model, the GT-R. There are many other models that are not as performance oriented.

Familiar with the BMW 3-series? Well, you have many different kinds of them, ranging from 320s to 325s and 330s in sedan, coupe and wagon form. However, the top model is the M3. So the M3 and GT-R are similar, in that that are the high-performance model of their line.

thanks for lesson, i cant wait to see this prototype now.

[HellBent]

Originally Posted by VQuick

...I don't think anyone will beat the Z06 in terms of bang for buck. However, there are other attributes people look for in a car. .... Some people want a bit more luxury too, and that leaves more room for other manufacturers to get some sales. Of course the most obvious factor is that GM probably won't be able to make a Z06 for everyone that can afford one, so those people will turn elsewhere.

NISMO,

You have a good point on the luxury note. The C6 and ZO6 just aren't luxury cars in the same sense as Porsche or BMW. They will most likely never have that level of refinement. It's just not what they are aiming for.

On the other hand Infiniti has a bit of experience in this area. People may be more willing to go for an upmarket super car that is still much cheaper than the Porsche Turbo, Ferrari, Lambo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, or Ford GT. All of these cars are around $120k or over.

Perhaps you have discovered their niche market! An upscale but reliable supercar for $80k-$90k. It might just work. The GTR may provide more luxury and perforance than the European crowd, yet still have affordable service comparable to the average Infiniti.

I think the only cars in the $80k-$90k range are the Viper and one of the Porsche models. Might be a good niche too. Infiniti (Nissan) can definitely build a nice car, and they have the heritage with the GTR. Hmmmmmm...

This post is finally getting interesting!

-AL

[RACER D12]

I think the back looks to much like a cobalt, And the nose needs to be... well different. Maybe more square. Overall though I like the direction.


Edit:
See here’s the problem with the skyline. It has no reputation or history if you will, in the U.S. Think of cars like the 911, Corvette, mustang, M3 etc... all started out affordable and slowly built up a reputation and price. Now Nissan just wants to jump in the game and add 40k+ to the price of what most people will just see as a fixed up G35. You just cant do that and expect to succeed. Now I hope they do well but I think maybe they should have started smaller. Like shoot for the 40k-50k price range and show people what they got first. The skyline didn’t just appear in Japan it had humble beginnings like lots of great car. I mean I know its probably too late now, but I’m just saying. Hopefully they keep it in the 60k range.

[VQuick]

Originally Posted by HellBent

On the other hand Infiniti has a bit of experience in this area. People may be more willing to go for an upmarket super car that is still much cheaper than the Porsche Turbo, Ferrari, Lambo, Jaguar, Aston Martin, or Ford GT. All of these cars are around $120k or over.

Perhaps you have discovered their niche market! An upscale but reliable supercar for $80k-$90k. It might just work. The GTR may provide more luxury and perforance than the European crowd, yet still have affordable service comparable to the average Infiniti.

The neat thing is that while Infiniti vehicles are not sold in the UK for example, there is still demand for them. They want what evo referred to as the 'Skyline family,' made up of the G35s, Nissan Stagea wagon, and the FX45. In fact, people are importing the FX45 on their own.

In Europe, the GT-R also has a stronger heritage than the US, although it is not a big as Japan of course. Lots of GT-Rs were imported, and some R34s were actually sold at dealers. The European market is a prime spot for the new GT-R. I imagine it could even end up being able to take on the likes of the BMW M6, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Jaguar XKR, etc. Of course, the Porsche 911 is the true target, and that's where the GT-R's acid test lies.