Nissan to shave vehicle weight by 15%

Subscribe
Jan 3, 2008 | 02:50 PM
  #1  
It looks like Nissan is planning on going on a diet instead of continuing the horse-power wars that are running rampant in the marketplace. That's a good thing, because you get both better performance and better economy.

Imagine a 330bhp 350Z/G35/G37 that weighs only 3200lbs!

335i-beating performance without the complexity of FI? Sign me up in 2010 when my G35 lease expires!

Source: leftlanenews.com
Nissan has announced an new initiative to reduce its vehicles' weight by an average of 15% — when compared to its 2005 lineup — over the next seven years. The reason for the weight reduction is to improve fuel economy in the face of stricter regulations worldwide.

The Japanese automaker hopes to the shed weight by working with suppliers to provide lighter weight materials and encouraging them to meet new efficiency targets.

Vehicle weight has ballooned over the past few decades, mainly due to required safety equipment.
The target of 15% would mean most vehicles would lose about 500 pounds. Not only would that weight reduction result in increased fuel economy, but would also boost performance — a win-win situation. In quarter-mile drag racing, every 100 pounds lost results in about .1 second gain, meaning the 350Z would be a mid-13 second car.
Reply 0
Jan 3, 2008 | 10:17 PM
  #2  
I think that's the best thing to come out of the new CAFE standard.
Reply 0
Jan 4, 2008 | 08:09 AM
  #3  
Nissan isnt playing games!
Reply 0
Jan 4, 2008 | 08:11 AM
  #4  
That sounds amazing
Reply 0
Jan 4, 2008 | 08:35 AM
  #5  
first they will get rid of the spare and put run flat.
Reply 0
Jan 4, 2008 | 03:02 PM
  #6  
Quote: first they will get rid of the spare and put run flat.
LOL, thats BMW homie...thats BMW...only the Germans think of doing some sh*t like that
Reply 0
Jan 4, 2008 | 03:11 PM
  #7  
When I was at the dealer the other day getting my car serviced, I commented on how heavy Nissan makes their cars, specifically the G's. The salesman gave me some horse**** about the added weight has more secure, sturdy feel to it. I said no, my car drives like a two door DeVille!
Reply 0
Jan 4, 2008 | 03:18 PM
  #8  
Quote: The salesman gave me some horse**** about the added weight has more secure, sturdy feel to it.
99% of car salespeople know nothing about what they sell.

Quote: I said no, my car drives like a two door DeVille!
Let's not go that far... I've driven a DeVille, and it's not even close.
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 08:23 AM
  #9  
Quote: LOL, thats BMW homie...thats BMW...only the Germans think of doing some sh*t like that
you aren't serious, right? you were joking..., right? just clarifying...

(r35)
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 08:36 AM
  #10  
Quote: you aren't serious, right? you were joking..., right? just clarifying...

(r35)
No, I wasnt. How often will a regular joe schmoe 3-Series BMW be taken past 130-140MPH speeds? Not too often sir. A GT-R is an extremely high-performance vehicle that will see those speeds pretty frequently among crazy a$$es taking out joyrides on the highway or even track days. How would you like a tire blow out at those speeds? The 3-Series doesnt need run-flats, they simply did it to increase trunk space to beat out competitors in that area. Go on the Bimmer forums and see how many people complain about those stupid runflats. Were talking a 40K bimmer compared to a 70-90K (Mark-ups) high-performance vehicle.... No, I wasnt kidding.
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 10:59 AM
  #11  
the r35 comes with run-flats. maybe this implies that nissan is going in that direction?
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 11:02 AM
  #12  
ohhh... i get the humor now... sorry, i'm slow today. it's the snow.
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 11:36 AM
  #13  
Quote: It looks like Nissan is planning on going on a diet instead of continuing the horse-power wars that are running rampant in the marketplace. That's a good thing, because you get both better performance and better economy.

Imagine a 330bhp 350Z/G35/G37 that weighs only 3200lbs!

335i-beating performance without the complexity of FI? Sign me up in 2010 when my G35 lease expires!

Source: leftlanenews.com
Nissan has announced an new initiative to reduce its vehicles' weight by an average of 15% — when compared to its 2005 lineup — over the next seven years. The reason for the weight reduction is to improve fuel economy in the face of stricter regulations worldwide.

The Japanese automaker hopes to the shed weight by working with suppliers to provide lighter weight materials and encouraging them to meet new efficiency targets.

Vehicle weight has ballooned over the past few decades, mainly due to required safety equipment.
The target of 15% would mean most vehicles would lose about 500 pounds. Not only would that weight reduction result in increased fuel economy, but would also boost performance — a win-win situation. In quarter-mile drag racing, every 100 pounds lost results in about .1 second gain, meaning the 350Z would be a mid-13 second car.

Lighter parts, means less metal....which becomes a dilema. Will it effect the
saftey of the car on high impact crashes? Not to mention the cost to repair
minor dents on a kevlar or carbon fiber body ? Looks like the engineers have their work cut out for them..:lol

I can guess a reinforced cabin for saftey,
(a roll cage congifuration..maybe.) More plastic,kevlar,and composites.

..lighter electronic gadgets..(No cd player..or dvd nav...or Hard disk for memory.) All will be flash drive based.


...maybe get high temp exotic ceramic parts for the engine? No spare tire....:lol
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 12:28 PM
  #14  
Yeah, that's old news but good news. All manufacturers are going to be seriously challenged with the CAFE standards that Jspeed refers to.
Reply 0
Feb 8, 2008 | 12:29 PM
  #15  
well, sometimes, hollow metal components can be stronger than their solid counterparts. this combined with cf (not less metal) could make for a stronger and lighter vehicle.

this is how racing impacts our every day lives.
Reply 0