The return of Datsun?

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20120302/CARNEWS/120309977

The Datsun nameplate may soon be revived by Nissan Motor Co. as a low-cost sub-brand for emerging markets such as Russia and India.

OK, it's not here, but I still think it's cool that the nameplate might come back in some form.

I'd rather see Zs sold as Datsuns. It'd also be cool to see a new 510 or S-chassis under the name, but I think that's going to entirely depend on how well the FT86 twins sell.

I'd like to see Datsun replica kit cars with them being as versatile as they are.

"Emerging markets" means super cheap cars for China and India--not a Scion-like division of Nissan with fun retro cars we'd be clamoring for.

All Nissan wants to sell are Altima's and Juke's by the hundred thousands.......All with CVT transmission too.

How cool would an updated 510 be? Would it end up being another PT Cruiser?

Nissan has been saying this for quite a while, but it never seems to happen. I'll believe it when I see it.

FWIW, JimBob described a really good plan for resurrecting the datsun name here for enthusiasts. As the discussion of that idea shows, however, Nissan probably has already considered - and rejected - this idea.

I still think that if can build a base RWD Nissan Frontier 4X2 for under $20,000; can't they tweak it and sell a 510 for $21,000? Oh wait, Toyota and Subaru are taking care of this.

Not quite. The FR-S is missing two doors and is too swoopy-looking. It would be more comperable to a hypothetical 2013 Nissan 240SX/Silvia. However, I wouldn't be opposed to a RWD, 4-door sedan and hatchback/wagon based on the FR-S platform.

I think they should $12k stripped down cars with roll up windows and no extras. And then a huge performance catalog.

And they should bring them to North America!!

RexSeven wrote: Not quite. The FR-S is missing two doors and is too swoopy-looking. It would be more comperable to a hypothetical 2013 Nissan 240SX/Silvia. However, I wouldn't be opposed to a RWD, 4-door sedan and hatchback/wagon based on the FR-S platform.

I agree they should bend the metal a little more towards the 510 style and go with it.

Or does it become another Chevrolet HHR missing any fun? (turbo version SS excluded)

Sultan wrote: I think they should $12k stripped down cars with roll up windows and no extras. And then a huge performance catalog.

How about charging me $15,000 for this stripper $12,000 Datsun 510 and giving me this performance catalog with $3,000 worth of coupons that I must use towards parts and/or labor?

I could talk Datsun crap all night.

pete240z wrote:

RexSeven wrote: Not quite. The FR-S is missing two doors and is too swoopy-looking. It would be more comperable to a hypothetical 2013 Nissan 240SX/Silvia. However, I wouldn't be opposed to a RWD, 4-door sedan and hatchback/wagon based on the FR-S platform.

I agree they should bend the metal a little more towards the 510 style and go with it.

I was talking more Toyota than Nissan, but either works. The FR-S will be in a class of its own when it comes out, but hopefully it will make a big-enough impact that we start seeing more affordable, efficient, fun RWD cars come to market. I'd love to see cars like the 510, 240SX, and RX-7* make triumphant returns, and maybe even other manufacturers will dip their toes in like Dodge was considering with the Demon concept.

*If Mazda can address the rotary's shortcomings successfully. A piston-powered "MX-7" or Miata hardtop coupe would also be acceptable.

Would I like to see Nissan sell small sporty RWD cars in the USA under the Datsun name? Yes, but if that was going to happen, they would have already done so. The fact of the matter is that there are probably not enough driving enthusiast wanting low tech, gadget free cars to be a viable market.

Nissan sells to the majority. Most of the people who buy cars like tech and gadgets but don't like driving. Nissan knows that the money is in pleasing those customers, not us

In reply to JoeyM:

I agree, but they should look back 40 years ago and bring us a coupe/roadster/4 door sedan and wagon. Two transmissions, updated KA engines, A/C, Radio. With the gas "predicted" @ 5 bucks a gallon people would be interested.

My only gripes would be weight and price.

I would love to see the Datsun brand brought back to life. I'll take a 510 with the nismo catalog thrown at it, I'd also like a actual mini pickup truck like my old 620.