Nissan hints at new Z in Jay Leno’s Datsun 240Z tribute

Among the six generation of Nissan Zs spanning over 40 years, the original, bullet-shaped Datsun 240Z is arguably the most memorable. Affordable, RWD and with classic lines, it transformed the Fairlady (as it's called in Japan) from a MG Midget knock-off into a Japanese sports car icon.

Recently, Jay Leno was handed the keys to a Fairlady 240ZG and met with Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. Aside from admiring the G-nosed coupe, Leno coaxed some interesting snit bits from Shiro, who said that the company "would like to bring something celebrating the heritage" of Nissan next year, which sees its 80-year anniversary in 2014. Amidst a line-up of the Zs throughout the years, there's a curious silhouette of a new Z, which could signal the return of a more 240Z-like sports car.

However the Z ends up, it can't continue on its current trajectory. Sales haven't been kind to the 370Z; selling only 7328 units last year, the Z has seen a steady decline over the years—especially compared to the 36,728 units sold back in 2003. That's not to say the market for RWD coupes is dead; the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ in four months has already outsold the 370Z through the whole year, moving 7870 units.