TTBOITOY

Seems everyone is going for the TT look but not many are achieving the same level of flawless beuty.

Features: six speed manual transmission
260+ horsepower VQ35DE 3.5-liter V-6 engine
curb weight of under 3200 pounds
sticker price of around 30K US

Here are some image links:

http://www.caranddriver.com/image_cache/DATA/Caranddriver/Images/autoshow/0110_tokyo/0110_autoshows_tokyo_Zcar_rear.jpg

http://www.caranddriver.com/image_cache/DATA/Caranddriver/Images/autoshow/0110_tokyo/0110_autoshows_tokyo_Zcar_front2.jpg

http://www.caranddriver.com/image_cache/DATA/Caranddriver/Images/autoshow/0110_tokyo/0110_autoshows_tokyo_Zcar_side.jpg

http://www.caranddriver.com/image_cache/DATA/Caranddriver/Images/autoshow/0110_tokyo/0110_autoshows_tokyo_Zcar_front.jpg

cxcheng

Side profile looks more like that of the outgoing Z-car than the TT's. And I'm not terribly excited about. At 3100-3200lbs and a 52/48 front-rear weight balance, it's a little too heavy and front biased for my idea of a sports car. More of a grand tourer. The Mazda RX8 and the forthcoming RX7 would be more of what I look for in a sports car. The outgoing RX7 is one wild car to start with.
No questions, the Japanese are coming on really strong. Love that show car-like interior. That's what the TT really taught the world.

Philbertt

what then do you call the TT with 61/49 distribution? 52% is not much of a bias.

TTonyB

and I much prefer the 350Z styling over RX8. 350Z exterior is clearly closer to previous Z's than TT. I prefer the production car exterior to show car exterior -- show car exterior didn't have coherence (but better than, say, SC430).

The interior, OTOH, clearly shows TT influence. IMNSHO show car interior was closer to TT, production car has been toned down.

One of my friends is considering buying one when it comes out -- I'm going to encourage him, it'd be cool to see one close up.

Tony

Laguna

I think 52-48 is damn near neutral balance. Better than my TT!

slaTTery

61/49?

cxcheng

Looks like they would be able to make the RX-8 weigh in at 2900lbs or so. Anyway you look at it, it's desirable to the 3100+lbs of the 350Z. The new M3 is just a heavy, clumsy beast comparatively. Better still, a more potent 2-seater RX-7 is on the way, but I haven't seen any pictures. Weight balance is going to be better too since they can fit the entire rotary powertrain behind the front wheels. And it's light to start with anyways.
Stylistically, the RX-8 may be a little "odd" out of the need for rear seats (the rear headroom still looks suspect), but I like its more "Japanese" styling and its family resemblance with the Miata. Hey, if it's a Mazda, then make it look like one. I even like the tail profile because it reminds me of the 1st gen RX-7 for nostalgic reasons. And if it's a Japanese car, then make it apart from the Europeans. So the 350Z might be objectively prettier, it's also more "ordinary" to me.