Autoblog

Rendered speculation: 2009 Nissan 370Z

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan

The Channel that's all about Grand Touring (or something), posted a rendering that could foretell the future styling direction Nissan may take with the next Z car. With the current "Zed" getting a bit long in the tooth after five years of diligent service, and the recent speculation surrounding the next iteration, the image above confirms Autocar's initial report that the next Z will be keeping the general shape of the outgoing model, but with a more smoothed out appearance. Then again, this looks like a scan from one of the dozens of speculation-happy Japanese mags that come out every week, so we're not holding our breath.

Naturally, with an appearance upgrade, changes under the hood are all but assured, and the smart money seems to be on the 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 that's currently found beneath the bonnet of the new G37/Skyline.

The obvious question remains, when will Nissan unveil the next-gen Z? We would like to think it would be at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, but with the unveiling of the production GT-R and a rumored Silvia-replacement concept, we doubt they'd want to blow it all on one show. Frankfurt? Geneva? Detroit? We'll be waiting, as always.

[Source: GT Channel]

Rendered speculation: 2009 Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan quietly drops new VQ in 350Z

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Performance, Nissan

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 ~~Maxima~~, as well as the Altima coupe, which should make Nissan's new entry-level two-door one of the great performance bargains of 2007.

More pics of the 350Z's new exterior bits and interior are posted after the jump.

[Source: Nissan and Kicking Tires]

Continue reading Nissan quietly drops new VQ in 350Z

Nissan quietly drops new VQ in 350Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Dec 2006 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan forgets to take out trash and fuels speculation

John Neff — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Infiniti, Nissan

In its haste to leave Southern California, Nissan apparently forgot to check with the local salvage yard and make sure its spent prototypes were destroyed while it was moving its operations to Tennessee. Unfortunately for Nissan, some anonymous Nissan Performance Mag staffers found a banged up 2007 Infiniti G35 (we assume sedan, although it's not specifically stated) hiding out under a cover in an auto salvage yard. Normally this wouldn't be noteworthy, as the major auto mags have already reported on the production version of the 2007 Infiniti G35, and in one case already pitted it against a BMW 3-Series. However, none of the major auto mags went into great detail about the new VQ35HR motor that will be powering the G35 and, presumably, the 2008 Nissan 350Z.

John Smalberys from Nissan Performance Mag has taken information brought back by his staffers before they were accosted by a junk yard dog and written a great piece dissecting Nissan's flagship V6 from top to bottom end. We'll spare you the intricate details here, but Smalberys theorizes that because the engine is so much beefier than the VQ35DE it replaces, that Nissan is planning to turbocharge it in some application. One might expect such an engine to appear in the 2008 Z-car, either as standard equipment or as part of a high performance package. Smalberys also notes that the upcoming Skyline GT-R is expected to receive a punched-out, twin-turbo 3.7-liter variant of the G35's new 3.5-liter, and that this new engine platform could possibly be enlarged all the way up to 4.5-liters in the future. Check out Smalberys' in-depth piece at Nissan Performance Mag if you really want to know more about the nuts and bolts of Nissan's new VQ V6.

Top tip, David!

[Source: Nissan Performance Mag]

Nissan forgets to take out trash and fuels speculation originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Sep 2006 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6

Alex Nunez — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:50:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Japan, Technology, Infiniti, Nissan

Nissan has revealed details about its next-gen V6 engines, which will first appear in the 2007 Nissan Skyline / Infiniti G35.

The 3.5L VQ35HR and 2.5L VQ25HR feature new blocks and a host of new key components. The highlights of the engines' improvements are a 7,500 RPM redline (up from 6,600 on the previous-gen VQ), a 10% increase in fuel economy, and a SULEV emissions rating.

The VQ35HR (pictured at right), as applied in the '07 G35, will be good for over 300 horsepower, but Nissan has yet to divulge an exact number. In Japan, the '07 Nissan Skyline will be available with both the 2.5L and 3.5L engines, as was previously the case. The last-gen VQ25 made 210 horsepower -- a number that will undoubtedly go up with the introduction of the VQ25HR. There are currently no known plans to use the 2.5L V6 in North America.

Key specs of the new VQs are listed in the press release after the jump, and Nissan also released audio of what the VQ35HR sounds like, which you can stream by clicking here.

The release of the details surrounding the new powerplants has prompted enthusiastic discussion over at the FreshAlloy.com forums, where Nissan/Infiniti fans have also posted some X-Ray-type shots of the 2007 G35/Skyline's new intake and exhaust systems.

Thanks Jason for the tip!

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Nissan via FreshAlloy.com forums]

Continue reading More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6

More info on Nissan's next-gen VQ-Series V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Aug 2006 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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