These are the world’s first pictures of the new Nissan 370Z. Released ahead of the 370Z’s official debut at the LA Auto Show in November 2008, these three photographs reveal the new look of Nissan’s latest Z car. More pictures and the full technical details of the 370Z will be released on Wednesday 19 November, so come back to CAR Online then as we report live from the LA show.
This new Nissan 370Z looks a lot like the current 350Z!
It does, but the current 350Z has been a great image builder for Nissan, so why change a winning recipe? The 370Z packs subtly updated aggressive looks, a large capacity V6 engine up front and a rear-wheel drive chassis. It’s still following the classic back-to-basics sports car formula.
Let’s start with those looks. The silhouette is familiar but the new 370Z has a shorter wheelbase than the current Zed, and a correspondingly shorter rear overhang. This means a more curvaceous rear hatch which, combined with bulbous rear arches, makes the whole car appear squatter.
The rear lights are now styled like a boomerang flick, rather than the elongated triangle of today’s car. There’s also a central foglight, two big exhaust pipes and a hint of a rear diffuser at the rump. The tacked-on spoiler that featured on most UK 350Z versions is absent, but there is a slight flick up to the rear hatch to aid the aerodynamics (and looks).
>> Scroll down the page to the embedded player to watch our spy video of the Nissan 370Z in action
>> Click ‘Next’ below to read more about the new Nissan 370Z
And the front of the new Nissan 370Z?
The nose is more jutting than before, with two vertical uprights in that gaping grille. The headlamps mirror the taillights with a stylised kink, while the separate reflectors are missing on this Japanese car – still called Fairlady Z in the Land of the Rising Sun.
The power bulge bonnet of the facelifted 350Z has been toned down, but nestling inside the snout we still expect to find Nissan’s latest 3.7-litre V6 with around 340bhp. Why hasn’t Nissan released the full spec yet? Because it’s playing the drip-feed PR teaser game…
Down the flanks of the 370Z you’ll still find those familiar, over-designed door handles, while the new glasshouse makes the car look much lower than before. There are certainly hints of the GT-R in the windowline and other details peppering the new Z.
What about inside?
Step inside the Zed’s cabin and you’ll be met with a familiar scene. Facing the driver are three big dials, with three more ancillary dials mounted atop the central dash. The rest of the dash will be familiar to anyone who has sat inside a new Nissan Murano.
There’s a stubby gearstick, mated to a six-speed manual ‘box, and a seven-speed auto is thought to be an option. Prices have yet to be announced, but expect the new 370Z to start at just under £30,000 when the car goes on sale in the UK in late spring 2009.
>> Scroll down the page to the embedded player to watch our spy video of the Nissan 370Z in action
>> Does it look different enough from the 350Z? Click ‘Add your comment’ below and let us know what you think of the new Nissan 370Z.