Nissan Z350 and Mazda RX8 Production Versions!
by Alex Michalas  Nissan and Mazda. The two Japanese companies that have
produced some of the most exciting affordable FantasyCars in the past, seemed to had lost their way in the middle to late 90s. Things started looking a lot brighter when concepts like the Mazda RX-8 (a worthy successor of the Wankel-powered, legendary RX7) and the Nissan Z (the
spiritual sucessor of the 70s legendary Nissan Z) were unveiled in recent Motorshows but there is always a questionmark hanging over each and every concept car. Will it ever be produced?
The answer for both the Mazda RX-8 and the Nissan Z is, to our great delight, yes! Both Nissan and Mazda unveiled the production-ready versions of their new affordable
FantasyCars in Tokyo and confirmed that they are going into production soon. 
The Nissan will be called Z350, signifying the 3.5 lt. V6 variable valve timing engine that will be powering it. It should be good for at least 260 hp but an official figure has not yet been revealed.
The major change over the latest Z concept is the interior which is now simpler but equally sporty and attractive.
The Mazda has been confirmed to look like the photos you
see here and to be called RX-8. Not much have changed since we last saw it as a concept and this radical 250hp sporty 4- seater should be on the road by the end of 2002! Click Here for More FantasyCars from the 2001 Tokyo Motorshow! |
