Z Car Garage had a bit of time to spend getting to know the Z during the recent visit when the Follow the Nissan Z rally came to them. Why not see if these Nissan GT-R wheels fit on hey?
Good news is they seem to fit nicely and fill the guards out. A contrast against the G35 on which they were a lot less successful.
Source: Z Car Blog
Zele International boss Kamata-san has quietly announced the Zele lineup of show cars for Tokyo AutoSalon 2009 this coming January 9th – 11th and yes the 370z has made the list. Zele will also be showing off their famous Lamborghini Orange Nissan GT-R Zele Complete Edition as well as a Skyline V36 370GT Coupe (G37 to those in the US) at their booth.
What exactly Zele have planned for the Z, at this stage, we don’t know but I plan on asking very nicely for the scoop.
Image: 370zblog.com, use with link back permitted.
It’s just like Edmunds to get the first full test in. Given a 370z well in advance of the official launch, Edmunds have been able to put it through it’s paces and come up with the goods early. Good article and one quote stands out:
Z-car people will be pleased.
Link: Edmunds 370z Full Test
A pair of brand new Z’s have turned up as promised at Z Car Garage Friday night in preparation for their leg of the Follow the Nissan Z American cross country road trip. A Chicane Yellow and Monterey Blue Z will be at Z-Car Garage Friday the 21st November from 2-6pm. Forbes from Z-Car Garage let us know that he’ll be updating his Z Car Blog asap with all the photos from the day.
Thanks Forbes!
Link: Follow the Nissan Z
Link: Z-Car Garage
Link: Z-Car Blog
Nissan have unveiled their new 370z microsite today to co-incide the with launch of the new Z at the LA Auto Show. Online now are the first official wallpaper images from Nissan showing many of the production colours as well as key shots of the interior and some componentry.
Great photos, we’ve put together a gallery for your viewing pleasure below.
Link: Nissan USA 370Z Microsite
So the LA Auto Show is about to hit and you’re all wondering how great the new 370Z is right? We have received a review from someone lucky enough to have driven the car. Under orders not to reveal our source we’re publishing his impressions anyway.
First Impressions
There is a great force behind the visuals of the new Fairlady Z when you see it in the flesh. Something you can’t see in photographs. Something powerful and even sexy. The wide rear flared guards particularly are something the current model Z33 cannot match. The overall length has shrunk but this just makes the car look wider and consequently, bigger than it’s predecessor. When you look at this car, these visual cues evoke a feeling of solidity.
As for the styling of the new Z, it may not be easy for the generation of us who still have fond memories of the 260z to accept but… is there a hint of that history shining through? If you look from the front, surely the silhouette looks as though they have taken the body of the S30 and modified it to give a contemporary look?
Those feelings leave you quickly though once you sit in the cockpit and that’s a good thing. The steering wheel and shift lever have a great tactile feel that is superior to their predecessors. In a nutshell we’d say the texture and feel overall of the cabin is improved.
Now to driving the car and the first thing that strikes is the response of the 370z’s 3.7 litre V6 VVEL engine. While this is the same powerplant as in the Skyline/G37 Coupe it appears more polished, sporty and could it be even more torquey? This VQ is an engine that just keeps getting better year on year, it makes me stop to wonder how they can possibly keep improving it in years to come.
When describing the handling I want to reach for the words “sharp” and “light”. After all, shortening the wheelbase by 100mm should have that effect. However the nimbleness in the turns isn’t as marked as expected, it is satisfying to feel however that sense of solidity comes again when you put your foot down. An overwhelming feeling of being planted on the road can be felt at all times. I’d like to see how this car handled itself on the Hakone Skyline.
Finally we get to one of the best innovations in the new Z, the 6 speed manual transmission with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM). This thing is a revolution, it makes heel and toeing practically obsolete and allows the driver to focus on steering and braking. This makes it too easy on the circuit and something we hadn’t thought of ourselves. This brings to mind a comparison with the dual clutch gearbox in the new GT-R and a thought that this is a great middle ground in between that and a conventional manual.
Interesting indeed, personally my first drive can’t come soon enough!
Translation: 370zblog.com
Well we’ve kept the lid on it for a couple of days now but it seems other sites are posting it so it’s time to let the cat out of the bag:
For Release Nov. 19, 2008
All-New 2009 Nissan Z®: Sculpted, Engineered and Equipped to SHIFT_ Driving Excitement
– Super Evolution of the Iconic Nissan Z® Expands the Sports Car “Sweet Spot” With
An Unmatched Balance of Performance, Style and Value –In the first full redesign of the iconic Nissan Z® since its re-introduction as a 2003
model, nearly every piece and component has been rethought or redesigned –
shorter wheelbase, greater use of lightweight body materials, new engine with more
horsepower and improved fuel economy, a new 7-speed automatic transmission with
paddle shifters, a world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the
manual transmission, new high quality driver-centric interior and new available
technology features.But to get the full measure of the new model, now designated the Nissan 370Z, one
need look no farther than the subtle upswept line of the new rear quarter window.
Quintessentially Z®, the window harkens back to the original 1970 240Z – a car that
revolutionized the sports car world with its unique combination of performance, style
and, especially, value. The new 370Z solidifies the Z®’s position as one of the most
desirable sports cars on the planet – at an affordable price – bringing true sports car
performance to everyone.“The fresh character of the 2009 Nissan 370Z is immediately apparent in the crisp
new exterior design, which is sportier yet still immensely identifiable as a Nissan Z®,”
said Al Castignetti, vice president, Sales, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.
“One usually thinks of evolution as being linear. The new 370Z’s ‘super evolution’
builds on the best features of both the first and last generations Z–cars – respectful
but not retro, simple yet sophisticated, and 110 percent pure Z®.”
Solidifying the strengths of its immediate predecessor, the new 370Z was conceived
as an “Everyday Sports Car,” targeting segment-leading performance and a baseMSRP of around $30,000 (final performance figures and pricing to be available at a
later date).“The new 370Z lives in the sweet spot of performance, style and value, a position
that Nissan invented with the original Z®. It’s an authentic sports car that you don’t
have to make sacrifices to own – or drive everyday,” said Castignetti.
The new 2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe model is scheduled to go on sale in North America
in January 2009, followed by a new 370Z Roadster for the 2010 model year.
Continued after the jump, click “Read More…”
What a decision to have to make? Drive the GT-R home for the weekend or the new 370z? Edmunds we’re faced with this choice and have asked for reader opinions.
Sounds like bragging to me, I can’t help but shoot internet death stares of jealousy at them though…
Link: Edmunds Long Term Blog
Just a week to go before the LA Auto Show and the official unveiling of the Nissan 370Z. GTR-World got a sneak peak of a brand new top of the range Z34 in the suburbs of LA.
Looking quite tasteful in Vibrant Red I think the headlights and tail lights a lot of people have problems with have started to grow on me.
The 332 hp @ 7000 rpm 265 lb/ft torque @ 5200 rpm 3.7 litre power plant was also spied sporting a multipoint brace in the engine bay. Trunk space looks to be a significant step forward from the Z33 with the large rear brace being simplified. Nissan say you can squeeze two golf bags in the back here.
Rolling stock is 19×9″ and 19×10″ Rays Forged aluminium wheels on the premium spec cars wrapped in 245/40R19 tires up front and beefy 275/35R19 in the rear. Strong and lightweight wheels from the factory is a step in the right direction as far as we’re concerned.
Following last years launch of the Nissan GT-R, Nissan look to be making all the right moves in the sports coupe segment.
Source/Photos: GTR-World.net – Worlds First Look in Detail at the New 370Z
