May14
The all-new Nissan 370Z is still a good six months away from an official reveal, but thanks to our illustration and now a shot of the car from a presentation, we shouldn’t be too surprised when the car finally takes its place on the Nissan stand. As previously speculated, the newest Z will receive a headlight treatment similar to the design seen on the 2009 Maxima.
Overall, the 370Z — which is being developed under the code name C53D — appears to keep the same general shape as the current 350Z. However, the front headlights — which will reportedly use LEDs — are much more dramatic than the current car’s and can be clearly seen in our illustration and the leaked image. The rear also seems to be a bit stubbier, with a sharper crease along the trailing edge of the hatch.
The 370Z is expected to use the same VQ37VHR powerplant found in the Infiniti G37 — a V6 displacing 3.7L — delivering at least 330 horsepower.
In December of 2006, Nissan product planning VP Larry Dominique said the next-generation Z would “have considerably more performance than the current model and give a visual stimulus beyond today’s Z.” He said it would continue to deliver on the promise of being attainable to a wide range of people.
Expect to see the all-new Z at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
Leaked image
Pokécar!
Having owned a new 240Z and 280Z, I do not like this newer style, and I do not like the 370Z. Once an icon—now an amorphous blob.
Still ugly,Ill take the G35/G37
RRG…in the new pics it looks like they kept the lame-ass-space-boy doorhandles. And, those lights…hmm kinda cheezy. Too bad, it’s a great platform, and the overall shape is in nice proportion, but Nissan once again lets the details (or lack of) ruin what could be a really great sports car for the masses. Sometimes, less is more, Nissan.
that ass looks fat from this angle
This angle does make it look fat and chubby. I just hope it won’t look too bad when it debates. I know how many of us think this thing looks like **** but in time I am sure it will grow on us, or some of us.
hotness
I’m oviously in the minority but I really like what I see in that shot. The huge rear wheel arches almost add a 911esque appearance to the aft section.
I like the look of the ass end from that shot. It almost gives it 911esque overtones. Like pmpvtkc says, give it time. I wasn’t a fan of the 350 at first either.
…sorry, thought the post eating gremlin got the 1st one.
The headlights look odd, but overall its a nice effort. I like the fanged grille, the roof line looks (from this limited view) WAY improved, and the 911 turbo grade fender-flares really sexes it up. I’m hoping they shrunk the taillights a bit from the current generations. I hate the way they S T R E T C H way up across the fender.
Kill the headlights.
FAILURE.
The headlights, like on the Maxima, are atrocious. Absolutely, unequivocally, undeniably, utterly PATHETIC. They are ugly and over the top. The design should be applied by the Chinese on one of their copies denoting an amateur’s flair.
It does NOT work on these cars. Like I say regularly, fire the idiot who approved this and demote the designer to toilet cleaning.
I love the rear wheel flair
“Fairlady Z” has got to be the dumbest name ever. I’m so happy they don’t call it that over here. That’s what the Japanese says in the upper left corner…
I think it looks WAY better than the current 350Z, which I always thought it looked too … well girlish, like its Japanese namesake.
I think the rear fender flare along with the new angles and roofline give the 370Z a much tougher look. I like it a lot compared to the current car.
The question is, with only 330hp, is it going to be able to keep up with similarly priced offerings from other companies? …
We all know that there’s a LOT more to putting in fast lap times than hp, (well at least I hope we do … the slow Veyron lap times should prove that well enough) but if it’s 70 hp or so short, that could be hard to make up.
On the Veyron note, I remember when so many ppl here said they’d choose that over the Ferrari FXX which they assumed would be slower. In actuality, as we all know now, the Veyron would get killed by the FXX. (which is now the FXX Evo btw, with tweaks across the board) Of course the FXX isn’t road legal, so it’s not really a fair comparison.
Only possible difference there is in a drag if the Veyron has a chance to set up the launch control. The FXX Evo went off the line WAY faster than I expected against an F1 car. (which btw would kill a Veyron off the line, except for the first second or so maybe - F1 cars are about as fast as motorcycles off the line until the downforce kicks in and it can get enough grip to put the power down, then it just disappears into the distance)
If it’s not cool yet it will be… give time to time.
First of all G the Veyron and FXX have nothing to do with the Z and also I think you will find yourself in the minority when considering the Fairlady nameplate to be “the dumbest name ever.”
Poo. Let’s try to get back to the Z32 style
It’s still reasonably priced in the low to mid $30’s, so 330hp is certainly competitive. There aren’t too many cars (if any) that offer more horsepower for the same price or less.
Still looks like a load.
I think it’s supposed to lose weight, and head towards 3000 lbs.
DrFill
From the Pic it looks like Panthera meets Z.
Awesome!
WOW t-ak-box.. that is quite an astute reference.. the roofline and greenhouse are VERY Pantera-like. Wonder if that was intentional?
As a matter of fact, looking at it again, the rear fender flare shape is also reminiscent of the Pantera. No way that wasn’t intentional.
I like the C-pillar/flare. Looks good. The front (ugly headlights aside) looks generic and played out. Time for a change.
T-ak-box, you beat me to it, if that is how it materialises then it could be trade-in time for the 330ci
^ I’m right there with you, Got Handling?!
If this thing is actually in the low 30s (perhaps even the base in the high 20s) and performs well I may have to pick one up. I honestly never ever thought I’d be getting a Nissan, but there’s a very good chance my next car will be a Nissan.
Either this one, or possibly even the replacement for the 240sx, depending on looks and performance comparisons.
I like it. If you compare it to the 240 and 280 era Z the rear looks quite similar. Maybe they’ll bring back that kind of taillight too. I think if they crossed the 240 tail end with the Shelby GR1 tail that would be pure hotness.
The current 350Z was designed back when Nissan was strifing to regain market share. Now that they’re back in business and actually have some cash for development, the new Z should be more real performance minded not to mention safer. If they can pull off making a GT-R at that price, I’m hoping this Z will be the best in the segment.
When Nissan first announced plans to bring back the Z, back when they were deciding between styles and engines, there was a particular design that I really wished they had chosen. It was a very retro 240Z style, with somewhat rounded headlights and a longer nose than the current 350Z. To me, the current 350Z lacks the character that the older models had, which is what this new design seems to be bringing back. Those flared fenders and the curved C pillar remind me of my old 280Z. Now if Nissan would just do something about those superhero-logo headlights…