The overwhelming worldwide demand for the Toyota GT 86 / Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ has put automakers on notice: build an affordable and modestly-powered sports car, and the buyers will come. That goes counter to everything automakers have believed for the past decade, so expect change to come slowly to the industry. If and when that change does come, expect it to be filled with compromise.
According to Motor Trend, Nissan has given the green light to build a “Mini-Z,” targeted directly at the Toyota and Subaru sport coupes. It’s not the oft-rumored replacement for the 240SX, which was killed with a stake through its heart during the last global financial crisis of 2008. Instead, it will be based on Nissan’s Compact Sports Concept, first shown to the public at last year’s Shanghai Auto Show.
Right away, we’d point out a serious flaw in Nissan’s plan: the Compact Sports Concept isn’t a sports car; it’s a “sporty” car for drivers “in emerging markets.” In other words, it will be built to a price point instead of to a level of performance; worse, it will be front-engine, front-wheel-drive, with power reportedly coming from the turbocharged 1.6-liter four used in the Nissan Juke.
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Word is that an all-wheel-drive variant will be offered, too, and the “Mini-Z” will shed its conservative hatchback styling in favor of a much more aggressive coupe design. We still don’t see such a car as a counter to the Toyota and Subaru coupes, but that may not matter since the Nissan is said to be targeted at China, Japan and possibly Europe.
Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and we’d like to remind Nissan of the early ‘90s Mercury Capri. Designed as a counter to Mazda’s hot-selling Miata, the Mercury convertible even used the same 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine. Instead of offering the Miata’s emphasis on handling (thanks to a rear-drive layout), the Capri served up front-drive mediocrity, and buyers largely ignored it.
If you’re going to throw down against a segment leader, make sure you understand what buyers want first.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
