The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
{also piping hot}
• Is it curtains for Nissan’s Z-car? That’s what The Sleuth’s sources believe it to be a likely outcome. The fact that the current iteration has been around since the 2003 model year with only one update since that time would indicate that the 370Z’s days are numbered. And public comments issued by a number of
Nissan execs regarding the sports car’s low priority seem to support the notion that are no plans to replace the car with a fresh model. There are also rumblings in high places that, with the success of the premium priced GT-R, there is really no need to spend gobs of money to design and build a new Z. It was for similar financial reasons that Mazda and Fiat shared development costs of the current MX-5 and 124 Spider roadsters. BMW and Toyota are also sharing some development costs to bring the next Z4 and Supra sports cars to market. • Chevrolet ZR1 to follow wind-down of current Corvette production? The Spymaster hears that production of the current C-7 Corvette Stingray will wrap up by the end of January of 2018, athough Chevrolet is tight-lipped as to why. What will follow is speculated to be a limitedrun of the 2019 ZR1, a model that is expected to produce at least 700 horsepower.
Alongside will be the radically new mid-engine C-8 Corvette. It will likely retain the current ’Vette’s 455-horsepower V-8, although rumors persist that a twin-turbo V-6 will be installed behind the cockpit. That change could ignite a near-riot among Corvette fanatics, who would consider it heresy if no less than eight cylinders propelled the Corvette. • BMW has ‘X’ models from 1 to 6: The latest to arrive is the BMW X2, which means that there are now Xs that stretch unbroken from numbers 1 through 6. Unlike the X1, the X2 appears stubbier in front and with less body length aft of the rear wheels. As well, the roofline is lower than the X1’s, which makes the doors look taller. For the time being, only a turbocharged 2.0-liter fourcylinder that makes 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque will be situated between the front fenders. Look for a spring 2018 launch for the X2. • Updates are in store for Ram pickup: The Spy Guy’s team of snoops has ferreted out some intel concerning changes to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ lightduty truck. The most visible adjustment will be to the front-end that at long last will become a lot more streamlined. From reports, the current bull nose and awkward-looking grille was considered the Ram’s least-popular feature. The hood and body side panels will become more attractive by adding more creases to the sheetmetal. In the powertrain department, both the V-6 and V-8 choices will return, as will the fuelsipping turbo-diesel V-6. However it’s possible that the gasoline V-6 will be available with a semi-hybrid option with an electric motor functioning concurrently with the engine to help improve fuel economy. A long-wheelbase Mega Cab option that was once available a few years ago is apparently returning to the lineup.