Nissan
Nissan's current vehicle lineup offers little for the sports car enthusiast. As such, the Z Concept can only be viewed as a good thing. Penned in Nissan's California design studios, the shape and focus of the car are intended to hark back to the first Z car. The overall appearance is that of a front-engine rear-wheel-drive car with short overhangs. Nissan says the Z Concept is fully operational. It utilizes a modified 2.4L DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine originally from the 240SX. It's rated at 200 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Modifications include a racing profile camshaft, lightweight pistons, 10.7:1 ratio, reprogrammed electronic controls, and custom dual exhaust. The Z Concept also features a five-speed transmission, lightweight flywheel, and lowered independent suspension. Stopping power is provided by brakes from the Skyline GT-R, and the 18-inch alloy wheels are mounted with 215/40ZR18 front and 225/40ZR18 rear tires. We look forward to seeing a production car created from the Z Concept. Can you buy it? Hopefully. Will we get to drive it? If it comes out, but we really hope Nissan goes with a V-6 or at least a high-tech four-cylinder from Japan, not an engine that began life back in 1989 in the 240SX.
A bit faster than the Z Concept, the Nissan R390 GT1 also appeared at Detroit. This is a road version of the supercar that captured four out of the top 10 spots at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans. With its estimated million-dollar price tag and sub-4.0 second 0-60 mph performance, the R390 is the fastest and most expensive non-racing Nissan ever produced. The twin-turbocharged 3.5L double-overhead-cam V-8 with electronic sequential port fuel injection produces 550 hp at 6,800 rpm and 470 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Nissan says the engine complies with all European exhaust gas regulations and is reliable enough to be driven at redline for well more than 24 hours in race trim. It's connected to a transversely mounted six-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox. Can you buy it here? No. Will we ever get to drive it? No. But we like it anyway.
Mazda
Mazda had two interesting concept cars at the L.A. Auto Show: the Protege StreetCar concept and the Protege All-Sport concept wagon. In recognition of the growing compact/import performance car market, the StreetCar is a Protege ES fitted with mild performance parts. Included are 17-inch Racing Hart Type C wheels, 215/40R17 Dunlop tires, Brembo big brakes, a lowered suspension, a larger rear wing, Racing Beat stainless steel exhaust, Sparco racing seats, special interior trim, and a custom Kenwood stereo system.
The All-Sport wagon is based on the right-hand-drive Japanese and European five-door wagon version of the new Protege sedan. It uses a 136hp 2.0L engine mated to an automatic transmission. It also features 17-inch wheels, a raised ride height, front and rear skid plates, and all-wheel drive. Mazda says the All-Sport evokes the heritage of the '88-'89 323 GTX. So does that mean that the All-Sport is a little-known kick-ass turbocharged rally car for the street? Umm, we will withhold judgment on that.
Ford
Ford had two interesting cars at the L.A. Auto Show: the Mercury Cougar S and the Cosworth Focus. The Cougar S is the type of concept car we love: fast, attractive, and very feasible to produce. The Cougar S is a modified version of the stock Cougar currently available at dealerships. It was built in response to the growing compact/import scene. Visually, the car is much more aggressive, featuring side skirts, a revised front fascia, a hood scoop, flared fenders, and a new rear end with dual spoilers and integrated dual exhaust tips. The 18-inch wheels wear Goodyear 235/40ZR18 tires and hide large Brembo brakes.
But the really tasty stuff is hidden underneath. The engine has grown from 2.5 to 3.0 liters of displacement. Horsepower is said to be around 215 and is routed through a manual transmission and an all-wheel-drive system plucked from the European Mondeo station wagon. Sounds like a capable 2000 Eclipse-fighter to us.