Nissan is currently developing a new compact sports coupe that will effectively compete with the upcoming and yet-to-be named sports car Subaru and Toyota are developing and, thanks to a leaked image from Nissan GT 2012 meeting, we have our first glimpse at what the car will look like. Word is Nissan’s car has long been in development, and the automaker plans to release the car before either Subaru or Toyota, or sometime in 2010.
The ‘mini-Z,’ which could be called Silvia, will be based on a shortened version of the 350Z’s Front-Midship architecture, with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four as one possible engine choice. Other engines under consideration, according to Japan’s Best Car magazine, include a 1.6 or 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. The smaller engines, which Nissan is rumored to be developing, would feature direct-injection and perhaps even a Variable Compression Ratio system. Output could be as high as 222 horsepower.
The magazine also revealed the new car’s key dimensions, including a 171.3-inch length, 69-inch width and a wheelbase of 100.4 inches, about 3.9 inches shorter than the 350Z.
Judging from the image, the new coupe will have dramatic body lines with wide rear fender flares. The car’s roofline will taper off in true coupe fashion, with what appears to be a small, quarter window — which appears to be aft of a thin C-ish pillar — and an up-swept beltline.
At this point, the car is expected to cost an equivalent of less than $24,000.
