Skip advert
Advertisement

Nissan 370Z: Nissan 370Z

Closer look at the new 370Z – Nissan’s replacement for its much-loved 350Z. Expect more compact dimensions, an improved interior and extra power

The Zed is dead, long live the Zed. Due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor show in late November, Nissan’s new 370Z looks set to be one of the heroes of 2009.

At the moment details are very thin on the ground – Nissan has released these three images but has supplied no information to go with them, leaving us to try and fill in the blanks as best we can. We haven’t even been officially told that it will use a 3.7-litre V6…

Advertisement - Article continues below

What we do know is that it has a number of things in common with the G37 coupe from Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti. Not least amongst these is the floorpan, although we understand the two-seat 370Z is substantially shorter than Infiniti’s four-seater – indeed it’s thought to be more compact than the outgoing 350Z, largely thanks to reduced overhangs and what looks like a shorter wheelbase. That should also help keep the weight in check – we anticipate the new car may even shed a few of the 350Z’s 1532 kilos.

The new Zed’s higher, more stunted tail is its most controversial aspect, and those rear light clusters are unusual too, but the upswept rear quarterlight windows help the looks hark back to the original 240Z.

Inside, its undoubtedly more modern and upmarket, although the seats, door handles and the general control layout don’t seem to have changed that much. There are a couple of intriguing buttons in front of the gearlever, though, and rumours have been circulating that the 370Z may be available with Infiniti’s seven-speed auto as well as a conventional six-speed manual.

The engine is also bound to be shared with Infiniti’s G37S. In that car it develops 316bhp, although we understand Nissan’s engineers have worked on boosting that to around 330bhp (the current 350Z develops 309bhp). Expect 0-60mph in under 5.5 seconds, but at the same time improved emissions and fuel economy. The 350Z manages 24.1mpg and 280g/km of CO2, but we expect the 370Z to boost that by at least 4mpg, reducing CO2 to around 240g/km. That still leaves it in the top tax bracket, though…

You’ll be able to find out more about the 370Z’s spec, price, performance and equipment on our website – www.evo.co.uk – on November 19, the date when the car will be officially unveiled in LA.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024