Frankly, Nissan’s new 370Z just isn’t that exciting. Yes, yes — it’s fast and corners well and all that — but it does so with a business-like efficiency that leaves me cold and wanting. After all, I grew up in a 280Z and fondly remember how it was little more than a big-ass engine with pedals. But the 370Z? It blips the throttle for you. What’s up with that? Realizing that for “the kids” $30,000 might be a bit of a stretch (especially these days…), Nissan is looking to field an entry level sports car with a bit more zazz (Yeah, I said Zazz). They hope that one day the young enthusiasts that enjoy their new car might one day trade up to a Z — or better yet a GT-R. Jump.

You may recall the Nissan Urge show car from 2006 — a nearly open-wheeled, open-cockpit two three-seater that was going to take on the stuff like Mazda’s Miata and Honda’s S2000. Essentially a 350Z stripped to the bone, the Urge was well under 3,000 pounds and aside from the video game nonsense bolted to the interior, looked hella promising. But the bottom dropped out of the economy and like so many cars, the urge was put on ice. Cue Clarkson: Until now. Motor Authority is reporting that Renault-Nissan doesn’t want to be caught with their britches down when Honda releases the CR-Z Hybrid and Toyota-Subaru release their joint strike fighter RWD Coupe. Hence, the Urge, or something like it. Powered by (probably) a turbo-charged 1.6-liter (that should make a nice 200 hp), Nissan obviously can’t bring back the 240 moniker. Can I get a Sylvia? Expect to the Sylvia/Urge/240SX to roll up in 2011 as a 2012 model. If any of this was true. And it probably isn’t. [Source: Motory Authority]