Nissan quietly drops new VQ in 350Z
Click image to enlarge
While everyone was lining up in orderly rows to watch the official unveiling of the Sentra SE-R and Altima coupe at Nissan's LA press conference, we snapped a few pics of a pre-production model of the 2007 350Z.
Although the exterior has gotten a few subtle tweaks that only those of us in the Z-car enthusiast camp would notice, they deserve a brief mention. While the headlamps and taillights have been revised with new housings, the most striking change was the addition of a power dome that eschews the two creases that formerly flanked both sides hood.
So what could possibly justify such a change? Why, more power, naturally. 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.
The increase in power is mainly due to revisions made to the variable valve timing on the exhaust side of the valvetrain, allowing the new engine to rev past the 7k redline of former models, all the way up to a newly set 7,500 RPM.
This new engine will also find a home in the new Altima and
More pics of the 350Z's new exterior bits and interior are posted after the jump.
[Source: Nissan and Kicking Tires]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kelsey M 10:18AM (12/05/2006)
That's quite the hood bulge. One detail: According to Nissan, the new VQ35 goes into the Altima and G35, while the others -- Maxima et. al -- stick with the current VQ for now.
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nailz420 10:21AM (12/05/2006)
"This new engine will also find a home in the new Altima and Maxima, as well as the Altima coupe" - it will? When? Cause right now, 2007 Maxima and Altima still have the old VQ.
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G. Snyder 11:38AM (12/05/2006)
"While the headlamps and taillights have been revised with LED bulbs"
The headlights have LED bulbs!!! So this is the first car to market with that then! They should really make a bigger deal of that, considering they quietly beat every other manufacturer to it. Go figure.
Of course this is sarcasm. Way to go editors!
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Mike 10:50AM (12/05/2006)
Is autoblog just now reporting on the HR version?
Yikes.
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Jeffs 11:01AM (12/05/2006)
While the headlamp housings do look a bit differant (blacked out housings), the LED tail lamps appear to be exactly the same as the '06 model.
On a side note, I love those wheels!
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Elmo 11:03AM (12/05/2006)
take in notice of that new powerdome. it resembles the old Datsun Z cars.
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rrr 11:12AM (12/05/2006)
I recall a year or so ago, i think it was 60 minutes on CBS that claimed that some Z's while driving for some reason shift to the left regardless of what a driver does. You driving straight but a car would slightly shift to the left, and they accused Nissan of not even aknowledging this problem.
For all the good Carlos Goshn has done for this company i have to say quality is not something he does well.
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pharmer 11:12AM (12/05/2006)
I like the addition of yet another styling cue from the 1st gen Zs. Very nice.
Is it just me, or do the interior materials look a bit higher quality now? The plastics look a bit softer.
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Kansei 12:00PM (12/05/2006)
They didn't say every bulb in the headlight was replaced with LEDs. If you had half a brain you'd know they meant just the turn signals.
As for the taillights.. well yeah they already have LEDs.
That hood bulge looks really awesome though!
And to whoever said the 07 Altima doesn't have the new VQ, you're wrong.
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Tokastyle 12:38PM (12/05/2006)
"For all the good Carlos Goshn has done for this company i have to say quality is not something he does well."
Japan has enough companies making reliable cars. They need a company for passionate drivers that are interested in style and power.
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masterofuniverse 12:22PM (12/05/2006)
1) Mercedes Benz E-Klasse (at least) has those LED tailights since years now (Avantgarde...)---so, not a first.
2) New 2007 model? Did they shed some weight? Right now it's a little porky...compared with a Z4/S2000/Boxster, level with the heavy Brera.
3) They sell it in Europe for ~$48.000 (base version...or 53k something the loaded one). Thus, no deal. Insurance is skyhigh and for only 13-14k more over the base model you can have a realy nice 2yrs old E55 AMG, which in the Autobahnland Germany is sweet to have, insurance is lower, 2 extraseats, etc...
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Dave T. 12:22PM (12/05/2006)
Kansei,
Right the Altima has it the Maxima doesn't.
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Matt 1:29PM (12/05/2006)
#6 I've got an '05 Z and it ocasionally tracks ruts in the road violently enough to pull the car out of the lane entirely, dealer told me it was normal, then again they also told me that the transmission was meant to grind at high RPMs between 1st and 2nd.
Dealer issues aside, I'd recomend the Z to anyone that wants a 2 door 2 seater under $30k, can't beat the Enthusiast model for the price. Hopefully they didn't add anymore weight to the thing, its already a porker.
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MikeW 12:56PM (12/05/2006)
Maxima = old, 255hp, 252ft-lbs
Altima = new, 270hp, 258ft-lbs
Murano = old, 240hp, 244ft-lbs
Quest = old, 235hp, 240ft-lbs
xTerra/Frontier VQ40 regular 261hp, 281ft-lbs
Pathfinder VQ40 premium 266hp, 288ft-lbs
Titan/Armada regular 317hp, 385ft-lbs
Qx56 premium 320hp, 393ft-lbs
FX45 320hp, 335ft-lbs
M45 325hp, 336ft-lbs
G35 coupe, M35, FX35 premium 275hp, 268ft-lbs
G35 VQ35 'rev; 293hp, 258ft-lbs
G35 sedan VQ35HR 306hp, 268ft-lbs
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Spider 12:54PM (12/05/2006)
new hood bulge = teh awesome
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mikomichan 1:06PM (12/05/2006)
In my opinion, the previous engine was decent already. Nissan should be concentrating on a better drive train and handling, improve those and the car will be a lot better than what it is now.
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Jason 4:30PM (12/05/2006)
This car is getting long in the tooth and has been out for a long while. It's going to need more than new lights on the exterior to keep it new and fresh. Nissan, spend some money from all the Altima sales and refresh this car so it doesn't fall into the cracks. Also, I am grateful for Autoblog, but the pics here do not show the damn car! Everything is detail work and too up close to get an idea of what the actually changes do for the overall look. Shame on Autoblog.
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Lucas 3:24PM (12/05/2006)
It's already one of the best handling cars on the market for the price. Really it just needs to go on a diet. I bet with the extra ~215 pounds that have been added that the new engine makes it about as fast as the base models already were when it was introduced. Most people that drive my car are suprised at how fast it is, even compared to other 350s they have driven. That's because most people haven't driven a base model before.
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nailz420 2:49PM (12/05/2006)
Kansei, Dave T: Please provide sources where it says the new Altima has the VQ35HR engine. It does have a revised VQ35DE but not the new G35 HR.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altima#Fourth_generation_.282007-.3F.29
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D 3:18PM (12/05/2006)
rrr
What are you talking about? If you say, "I recall a year or so ago, i think it was 60 minutes on CBS that claimed that some Z's while driving for some reason shift to the left regardless of what a driver does." You should give a date and title of show.
I do remember 60 minutes saying that the initials rrr were the gayest and stupidest initials out there!
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