Nissan has updated its popular 350Z sports car to feature the company’s latest VQ35 V6 powerplant. The engine first debuted in the 2007 Infiniti G35 sedan, producing an SAE-certified 306 horsepower. While the previous 350Z was rated at 300 horsepower, the new engine should feel reasonably quicker, because its output was not measured under the new strict SAE standards.
In a statement released this week, Nissan product planning VP Larry Dominique spoke about the much-discussed 2009 Z. “The price of GT-R will keep it above the mass market, but Z is attainable by most. The next generation Z will continue to deliver upon that promise,” Dominique said. “It will have considerably more performance than the current model and give a visual stimulus beyond today’s Z. This value and performance proposition will be even better than today, continuing an almost 40-year tradition as Nissan’s brand icon.”



12/05, 2:40 PM
posted by:
Kenny W
HP keeps going up, TQ keeps going down. It’s cool that their getting so much power out of the VQ, but if it has less than 285 lb-ft of torque I’ll be disappointed.
12/05, 2:54 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
The next 350Z needs two things:
1. A 400+ HP option so it can competed against the Corvette. Keep it below $40K and Nissan will have a ringer.
2. A redesigned cabin that feels less claustrophobic. The current design is very cool but the view from inside can be tank-like. Not good when driving it near its performance limits.
12/05, 3:04 PM
posted by:
A4
that 400+ option is called the GT-R…
12/05, 3:16 PM
posted by:
YourNameHere
isnt there a 350Z TT coming. 350hp. that should keep ya happy
12/05, 4:03 PM
posted by:
norby413
Why don’t they put the 4.0l VQ in it? My 07 Nissan Frontier has it (261hp,285tq) and it moves that heavy truck along quite nicely. Tuned for a lighter sports car, it should be enough.
12/05, 4:11 PM
posted by:
brownfv
isnt there a 350Z TT coming. 350hp. that should keep ya happy
Comment by YourNameHere
i believe its a supercharged option, called the 350z gt-s producing 380hp or something like that
12/05, 4:28 PM
posted by:
cknoff
I love the current 350z, and I can’t wait for the next one. It is my realistic dream car.
12/05, 5:25 PM
posted by:
Andre Neves
Give that 3.5L VQ twin turbos and your all set.
12/05, 6:37 PM
posted by:
lilcua
3.5L VQ TT amen
12/05, 7:20 PM
posted by:
Dav is Dead
if only i didnt have twins…
12/05, 7:54 PM
posted by:
Andre Neves
^LoL
12/05, 8:23 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Norby413: I suppose they couldn’t fit that engine in the engine bay, or perhaps it would’ve been too costly to implement.
12/05, 8:43 PM
posted by:
radoman93
there should be no problem fitting the 4.0L into the Z…most of the differences would be internal…after all it is of the same engine family. The extra displacement is for the heavier loads.. and yes if tuned, would be decent…but the real question is where is the high horsepower V8 from Nissan. The one in the Q is ok, but compared to others it is considered very average.
12/05, 9:28 PM
posted by:
Veda
Man, why can’t they change the model sooner like every 5 years or so. Luckily the current model is stylish enough to last this long.
12/05, 10:20 PM
posted by:
A4
nissan doesnt need V8’s
they need turbos turbos turbos
12/06, 2:48 AM
posted by:
WonbyOne
I find it interesting that GM interiors always seem to get bashed. Of the Nissans I have owned, and spent time in (worked for a dealership during the summer to help pay for college) they have always had the least durable and plesant interiors.
The vehicles themselves have performed quite well though. I also agree with the previous comment about the ‘cave like’ space inside.
This is overall a very entertaining car though.
12/06, 4:12 AM
posted by:
Hyperion
A4, I agree. Nissan has performed poorly in giving us their turbocharged engine technology here in the States. No V8.
While this is already good news and the supercharger option may be even better news, I wonder is an even more upmarket 350Z means Nissan will finally produce a rear-drive neo 510 or new Silvia coupe with a turbo four slotted at $18-21k.
12/06, 6:45 AM
posted by:
WEKS
I’ve heard rumours of a “450Z” featuring the VK45DE V8 tuned to 400HP and sporting AllWheelDrive. Call it a baby GTR if you will.
Though the rumours also state that the actual GTR will get the VQ37DETT, I’d find it rather odd that the 450Z gets a V8 but the GTR “only” gets a V6.
12/06, 11:54 AM
posted by:
GL1
An extra 6 HP gee Wow.so what.. besdies I have always thought that the rear end of the 350 Z was wierd and butt ugly looking and I still do.. Can’t they redesign it so it looks less bath tubby…
12/06, 12:06 PM
posted by:
gitcypher
I’ve heard that the next G35 will actually be a G37, equipped with a new 3.7 litre. I’d assume that will go into the ‘09 Z, since it’s expected to be in the ‘08 G. That engine is expected to be putting out 320+ naturally. Throw the TT on that, and we’re sure to see Vette killers.
12/06, 12:44 PM
posted by:
Sharif
I agree with wonbyone, and Veda they need to change up the car more often like the interior makes me feel crammed and uncomftorable. I think its because the center console is to wide forcing the seats to be right up against the door. They need to do something about that interior ASAP. Nissan needs something that will truely make this car stand out. They need to create some sort of hype. Like redo the interior, add a twin turbo and/or put a larger engine and keep the car around the same price.
12/06, 9:01 PM
posted by:
norby413
1c3 and radoman,
The 4.0 VQ is just a stroked 3.5, so the dimensions should be the same. I agree with others, just upping it 6hp isn’t reason to run out and buy one.
When I test drove one, what turned me off was the understeer. Just plowed when thrown into tight corners at higher speeds.
That, and the depressingly drab interior. The window line was near shoulder height making it impossible to rest your arm on the window ledge (stupid, but annoying).
G35 coupe much more livable option.
12/07, 5:17 PM
posted by:
WEKS
>>An extra 6 HP gee Wow.so what.. by GL1
“Nissan’s venerable VQ35, 3.5-liter V6 is now producing 306 HP, which doesn’t seem like a substantial increase over the last model’s 300 HP, until you take into account that new output calculations have recently been adopted. As it turns out the same engine that’s fitted to the new G35 and the 350Z is making between 15 and 20 HP more than the outgoing 2006 models, which should easily be felt by even the numbest backside.”