Car Advice

Nissan 370z takes on Porsche and Audi

By Alborz Fallah |

Update: Nissan Australia says the new 370Z will be here in 2009.

Nissan’s aging 350Z will soon be superseded with the new 370Z. If you’re wondering, 370 does indeed represent a 3.7-litre engine in the new sports cars.

Nissan 370z

Much to the anticipation of Nissan fans everywhere, the new 370Z will launch at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. This time however, with the GT-R under its belt, Nissan has higher ambitions, expecting to position the new two-seater as more of a pure sports car (e.g. Porsche).

“When we launched the current Z in 2002, it was a symbol of Nissan’s revival, a kind of brand symbol, plus driving performance, this time with the 370Z, we are focusing more on the driving performance, as a pure driving sports car.” , says Tetsuo Shimada, Nissan’s head of marketing in Japan.

According to Mr Shimada, Nissan will take on the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT with the new Zed.

Nissan 370z

Australian dates for the 370Z are still unknown (we have just asked Nissan AU – so check back later) but rumours suggest it will hit Japanese showrooms in December and go on sale in the United States shortly thereafter.

No other information regarding potential power or performance is currently available, however the new Zed is expected to not only have more power, but weigh a little less and also offer a more advanced transmission.

The current 2008 Nissan 350Z starts from $63,990 (interestingly the same car starts from only USD $29,205 in the U.S.,). The 2008 Porsche Cayman starts at $121,600 (USD $50,350 in the U.S.,) while the Audi TT starts from $68,900 (USD $35,200 in the U.S.,)


 
  • Twilight

    love the 350Z.

    if they make a facelifted model right before the launch of the 370Z, that 3rd picture would be the way to go (even though it just looks like re-vamped headlights and bumper) it looks really nice.

    the 370Z is gonna be sweet as, and i think the engine used in it is from the Infiniti G37, which is a twin cam 24 valve V6 which produces over 310PS(i dunno how to conver that to kilowatts) and over 350Nm of torque… thats the engine used in the G37 sedan, but i think the engine in the coupe extracts a bit more power… so yeh.

    lol.

    this things gonna be awesome!

  • si1982

    I feel soo ripped off when I see car prices in the US and Australia … its daylight robbery…

    no re the 370 Z – cant wait!!

  • Hando

    Love the 350z’s & the 370z looks the goods.

    Always thought the 350 range should do something similar to the GTR’s and do a limited ‘V Spec’ release and strap twin huffers onto it. A lot of 350z’s running around these days with HKS twin turbo kits, so IMO Nissan should jump onboard.

    My 2c

  • http://faster DanMan

    si1982,
    It’s not just cars that are cheap.. But when i was In La in April i saw Fully loaded 350z’s on the yard for 28,000 D/away. A mustang GT500 for 41k.
    Dont get me started on corona cartons of beer for 18$.

  • Rage

    Ford Mustang V6 Coupe (AUTO) for $21k
    Manual is only $18k

    Can you get a V6 manual in any car for $18k in Australia Brand New?

  • Rage

    Ford Mustang V6 (Manual) $18,000 USD+
    V6 (Automatic) $20k – 22k USD

    Base Models of course.

    Converted Mustang to RHD in Australia, $80k AUD

    :D

  • The_New_Fresh_Prince

    Drove one to Sydney from Melbourne, a soft top with track pack suspension in auto.Enjoyed the trip and did not feel tired or anything like that.Great car.

    YES it does need a little more low down grunt at take off, but up high and when moving was very ok.

    Ripped off on the price v USA and Japan

    Shits all over the 320CLK Cab. i currently have

    Cheers

    F-0

  • http://tru-dat Timothy

    How the fender dips into the headlight is not good… you need to think? How easy is it to change a headlight, or a bulb? That fender looks like it will bend easy if your not careful. The bumper. I’m sure it makes a lot of down force, and looks good too, but if you wanted to turbo charge it, it would all go to wast by cutting out the grill for your intercooler to breath right?… and look at the hood. It reminds me of 03… Just cause I own one! If I was gonna make the car better I would design it with the nismo front bumper, cause of that de-fuser. leave the headlamps alone, and give it a wider stance and more power!!! not to much.. Just enough for it to handle.. Its time for a new design… I’m not trying to “hate” on it, i think it looks good and handles well. I love these cars, but I think more can be done for the money. I am a proud owner of a turbo charged 350z and I love it… THE ACCELERATION WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!!!

  • Doni

    Ah! that headlights looks like SupermotoXL CYBORX car!