By Kevin Miller
10.29.2008
We don’t have much information beyond the name and the photos at this point, but today Nissan revealed its upcoming 370Z, a few weeks in advance of its official debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in November. Nissan’s press information refers to the 370Z as a 2009 model. The 370Z is the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z since its reintroduction as a 2003 model.
What we can see clearly from the photos is that Nissan has chosen an evolutionary path to updating the Z’s exterior, with some visual references to other members of the Nissan family, including the GT-R. The shape of the exterior lamps are implemented very similarly to the new Nissan Maxima, though they seem to suit the Z a bit better than the Maxima where we first saw their shape. The overall shape of at the back end of the car looks to be sleeker with less visual bulk, and better integrated with the Z’s overall style.
While the outgoing 350Z featured a 306 HP 3.5 liter V6, the 370Z will essentially share its powertrain with the Infiniti G37 coupe, which features a 3.7-liter V6 engine with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift), with an estimated 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Expect the choices of a 5-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual transmission.
The interior has an improved and updated design. The re-shaped steering wheel with redesigned audio controls, an electronic display now resides in one of the three circular instrument binnacles, and interior shapes look to be softer, smoother, and “shapelier” than the outgoing 350Z. A glove box has also been added to the 370Z’s interior, which will be a welcome addition to the Z’s interior, which was short on easy-to-reach storage space.
As the outgoing 350Z was getting a bit long-in-the-tooth and was literally a bit rough around the (interior) edges, the updated Z will be a welcome replacement. We will be looking forward to more detailed information on the 370Z, which Nissan should be releasing at the LA Auto Show in mid-November. The all-new Z is forecast to be on sale at Nissan dealers in early 2009.
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The car in the top photo has the odd proportions of a cartoon car. Maybe it’s just the angle?
Interior looks like an improvement, though.
Agreed, Michael. It almost looks like the base of the windshield is at the midpoint of the car’s length.
About that interior. The retro three-gauge setup atop the dash looks like an afterthought. A minute before the design was to be frozen some designer went “D’oh! We forgot to put the three gauges in!!!” Nissan (and 370Z owners) might have been better served by some kind of dual-cowl arrangement like the Civic’s. This way, they could have implemented some sort of video game arrangement like the GT-R’s.