Autoblog

Nissan 370Z plays chicken

Zach Bowman — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Nissan, Humor

Nissan 370Z races a chicken - Click above to watch video after the jump

The team at Nissan UK has worked up a new spot for the company's 370Z that features plenty of wing-to-fender action. Set in a seedy underworld where poultry is pitted against sheetmetal in a dire race for bragging rights, the 370Z is seen battling the latest descendant in a long line of racing chickens. The chicken in question supposedly excels in the corners, though predictably enough, he's no match for the tail-sliding action of the Z.

Does any of this make sense? Of course not, but neither do a bunch of rapping hamsters, and we still love those. Considering that Kia just walked away with the winning nod at the Nielsen Top Auto Ad of the Year awards for the company's "This or That" spot, Nissan may be hoping to cash in on the animal craze in its own way, though we have to wonder if the ad might not ruffle a few feathers over at PETA.

Hit the jump to watch Nissan's poultry in motion.

[Source: Nissan via YouTube]

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Nissan 370Z plays chicken originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog speaks with Nissan 370Z designer Randy Rodriguez at 23rd annual Z Car Convention

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Performance, Nissan, Design/Style

Randy Rodriguez, designer of the Nissan 370Z - Click above to read the interview

It's a rare thing to see a car penned by someone who's a die-hard fan. More often than not, designers are assigned to vehicles they have little or no emotional attachment to, and as such, the car buying public is regularly supplied with a slurry of bland appliances that do little to acknowledge a car's model history and next to nothing to advance the vehicle aesthetically.

Thankfully, that's not the case with the Nissan 370Z. Randy Rodriguez, the guy behind the original design of the 370Z, had owned 10 different Z cars before he sat down to sketch out the latest iteration of Nissan's low-buck sports machine. Autoblog had the chance to catch up with Rodriguez at the Z's 40th birthday bash last weekend in Franklin, TN. Hit the jump to read a few excerpts from the conversation, including talk about alternatively powered future Zs and how he drew inspiration for the car's look from the Discovery Channel.

Gallery: 23rd Annual Z Car Convention

Continue reading Autoblog speaks with Nissan 370Z designer Randy Rodriguez at 23rd annual Z Car Convention

Autoblog speaks with Nissan 370Z designer Randy Rodriguez at 23rd annual Z Car Convention originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2010: Bad Timing Dept. - Prius MotorWeek Drivers' Choice winner; Toyota declines JDM award

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award winner for Best of the Year

By February of each year, we are always right in the middle of awards season, and no, we're not talking about the Golden Globes, Grammys or Oscars. We are, of course, referring to Car and Truck of the Year awards, Ten Best lists and the like. A brace of trophies had already been handed out at the Detroit Auto Show and here at the Chicago Auto Show, a few more champions were crowned. As you might imagine, Toyota is usually an oft-mentioned brand during this time of year, but we figured this year might be a little different.

Coming on the heels of several high profile recall announcements by Toyota, one might expect the once-bulletproof Japanese carmaker to at least get more careful consideration when handing out the hardware. Well, even if they have gone through closer scrutiny, that hasn't stopped multiple outlets from still rewarding them for their products. Television show MotorWeek just announced their Drivers' Choice Award winners, and the Toyota Prius is their choice for best Eco-Friendly vehicle. It also claimed the title of Best of the Year overall, making it their top pick of the 2010 models.

Other category winners are listed below and there's a long press release after the jump that includes a statement by MotorWeek host and producer John Davis. While it was probably difficult to change their minds so late in the game, the statement by Davis explaining their rationale in choosing the Prius seems to have been written some time before Toyota started making so many headlines: "If you can only buy one car for your family, the 2010 Prius is the one," said Davis. "The Prius is a no-compromise vehicle that offers impressive efficiency, cutting edge technology, smart packaging and truly iconic styling."

While all of that might still apply, it's bad timing if nothing else to be handing out a top award to the Prius. In that spirit, Davis added an additional statement to clarify and defend the show's selection. In it he explained that while MotorWeek had two different Prius hybrids in their care for several months, nothing ever went wrong with them and that the show is confident that the problems will be satisfactorily addressed by Toyota.

MotorWeek was certainly not alone on that front however, as Toyota has recently been lauded by several other organizations as well. In Japan, for instance, Toyota was honored with a government energy efficiency award. Interestingly, the company chose to decline that award, though, saying that "the honor is not appropriate for a car hit by massive recalls," according to MSNBC.

Without further ado, here are the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award winners:

Best Small Car: Mazda3
Best Family Sedan: Ford Taurus
Best Luxury Sedan: Buick LaCrosse
Best Small Utility: Chevrolet Equinox
Best Large Utility: Honda Pilot
Best Pickup Truck: Ram 1500/2500/3500
Best Eco-Friendly: Toyota Prius
Best Sport Sedan: BMW 3-Series
Best Sport Coupe: Chevrolet Camaro
Best Performance Car: Audi S4
Best Convertible: Nissan 370Z Roadster
Best Dream Machine: Audi R8 5.2 FSI/Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Sources: Motorweek via EarthTimes, MSNBC]

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Geneva Preview: Europe gets its own 40th anniversary Nissan 370Z Black Edition

Noah Joseph — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Nissan

2010 Nissan 370Z Black Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been a couple of months since Nissan first announced a special 40th anniversary model of its svelte 370Z, and, following a batch of spy shots confirming the car's arrival, we're about to get our first up-close-and-personal look at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. But Nissan isn't about to let American customers have all the fun, so it's releasing a similar special edition for the European market.

Like its American counterpart, the Europe's 370Z Black Edition celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Nissan Z, and packs most of the same features that distinguish its Yankee brother. That means darkened 19-inch Rays wheels, red brake calipers, red leather interior with a red-stitched steering wheel, special badges and the like. In fact, the only thing that seems different, apart from the "Black Edition" moniker, is the availability of a second exterior color: while the American version can only be had in "quartz" dark grey, the European Black edition can also be had in - you guessed it - black. It also comes with the full infotainment package

The 370 examples will begin distribution in April - a month after the Geneva Motor Show where it's set to debut - with a £33,645 (~$53k) price tag in the UK. That's over £5k above stock, but then the Black edition comes packed full of optional equipment. Full details in the press release after the jump and high-res photos in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan 370Z Black Edition

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Europe gets its own 40th anniversary Nissan 370Z Black Edition

Geneva Preview: Europe gets its own 40th anniversary Nissan 370Z Black Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Branew to unveil tuner kit for new Nissan 370Z

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Performance, Japan, Nissan

Click above for a gallery of the Branew 2009 Nissan 370Z

Nissan sportscars - the Z included - are a popular base for tuners, so it should come as no surprise that, with the newly revised 370Z just revealed, the JDM aftermarket is already lining up with their range of extras. Next up to bat is Branew, the Japanese tuner whose GT-R we spotted at SEMA wearing giant 23-inch rims.

The Branew 370Z offers a remapped ECU, tightened suspension and upgraded brakes, as well as an aero package complete with front spoiler, side skirts, rear diffuser and wing. A variety of wheel options in various unreasonable sizes are also expected to be offered when Branew unveils the full package in January at the Tokyo Auto Salon. In the meantime, you can check out the pair of images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Branew Nissan 370Z

[Source: CarScoop via WCF]

Branew to unveil tuner kit for new Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Japan offering "stylish package" for 370Z

Dan Roth — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Japan, Nissan

Click the picture above for a gallery of the Nissan 370Z w/Stylish Package

A "Stylish Package" that includes a "Sports Horn;" double entendres are primed to fly. Nissan's 370Z is about as freshly minted as the Twinkies we had at lunch, and Nissan's already offering some extra garnishes for its latest slice of automotive snacky cake. Rather than go all mangaesque with the S-Tune package, some buyers might prefer the understated bump in visual muscle that this latest styling kit offers. Clear taillamps and a spoiler with integrated CHMSL trim the tail, and there's a new air dam up front and Z scuff plates dress up entry and exit. The effect of the kit is subtle and stylish, at least until you hit that "Sports Horn."

Gallery: Nissan 370Z Stylish Package

[Source: Carscoop]

Nissan Japan offering "stylish package" for 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Nissan

Click above to watch video after the jump

We can't remember the last time, if ever, a video game made us really want to check out a car, but we have to see the new Nissan 370Z now. In the Need for Speed: Undercover teaser video it looked neat, but in the official shots a few days later the car looked like it was suffering from bloating and cramps. For some reason, however, the Z in motion -- and with, of course, perfect lighting -- does it for us. The perhaps overly teased front and rear lights make a certain sense now, but the truncated rear end still gives us pause. We're not yet settled on how we feel about it, but we can't wait to see it in person. Check it out video of the 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover for yourself after the jump, and stay tuned for live coverage from the LA Auto Show.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan 370Z

Gallery: Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover

[Source: YouTube via Autoblog Spanish]

Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover

VIDEO: Nissan 370Z in Need for Speed: Undercover originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Nissan drops 370Z ahead of LA Debut!

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:41:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, Nissan

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Nissan 370Z

Looking pretty much like what everyone has been expecting for months now, the 2010 Nissan 370Z dropped this morning. The company hasn't released any details, although from the new nomenclature we can surmise that the sports car contains the new 3.7L V6 as used in the Infiniti G37. The new Z goes on sale early in 2009, and we'll see it live at the LA Auto Show in a few weeks.

Gallery: 2010 Nissan 370Z

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Officially Official: Nissan drops 370Z ahead of LA Debut!

Officially Official: Nissan drops 370Z ahead of LA Debut! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line sees Nissan 370Z in person, official photos coming Oct. 29

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

Inside Line was given a thorough peek at and allowed to drive the coming Nissan 370Z, and appears to like what it has seen. Many of their findings have been previously guessed at based on spy photos of the car, but their viewing seems to prove that it all fits together well enough in person. Unfortunately, they were barred from commenting on the driving experience. The most controversial aspect is still the shortened rear of the car, which IL guesses has gone back to 99 inches. To look at the pictures, there really isn't room for much behind the driver's door but wheel arches and a taillight. Interestingly, IL also suggests that the car will be available with a 7-speed automatic, which brings to three the number of potential non-manual transmissions. The proof, as always, will be in the pudding, and the first serving will come on October 29 when the official photos are released.

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line sees Nissan 370Z in person, official photos coming Oct. 29 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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