Autoblog

Click the image above for more live and press shots of the Peugeot 308 RC Z Coupe Concept.

While many of the debuts in Frankfurt garnered either a decisive positive or negative reaction, the Peugeot 308 RC Z Coupe Concept held the middle ground. The front end is almost a direct carryover from the 308 on which it's based, but we couldn't help but want a bit more individuality and a bit less gaping maw. From the side, all we can see is Karmann Ghia, along with John's earlier assertion that the roofline apes the Audi TT.

Something like the RC Z could come to production since it's essentially a re-bodied 308, and with a 218 HP 1.6-liter blown four pot, you won't hear any arguments from this side of the pond – regardless of the fact that it'll never come our way.

You can read up on the Peugeot 308 RC Z in our initial post here and check the gallery below for additional live shots.

Awesome. Yeah, that's a good word to describe the Datsun 280ZX. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was busy in 1982 when he made this commercial for the Z car. Not only did he have time to organize the US Festival, he was shilling cars, too. Then there was that other thing he did, involving microprocessors, but that was in flux waiting on the flop of Steve Jobs' Lisa. That wasn't so awesome. The Datsun 280ZX, on the other hand, has gone on to earn vaunted status as a classic performance car from an era when it was still common to see Volaré wagons with the fake-wood vinyl applique everywhere you went.

YouTube strikes again, with these chestnuts from the past. Dig the Chyron text, total-cheese voiceover, and we'd totally forgotten about the "We Are Driven" tagline and text move. The other spot after the jump is the one we'd pick. Nevermind the achingly terrible pseudo-Shaft disco soundtrack and the risqué undertones that aren't very cleverly hinted at, that Z looks amazing in black and gold, kind of a spin on the "Bandit" Trans Ams without the screaming hood art.

Thanks for the tip, k0an!

[Source: Macenstein]

Click image for gallery

While those of us in the States must make due with either a modest revamp or an aero-enhanced version of the 350Z, the Japanese will be able to get their hands on a what is arguably the most desirable Z-car yet – courtesy of NISMO.

The Fairlady Z Type 380RS-Competition gets its new numerical nomenclature from increasing the displacement of the stock 3.5-liter V6 to 3.8-liters, boosting power to 350 HP and 293 lb.-ft. of torque. The increased oomph will likely be sent through a six-speed manual gearbox, with what we'd assume is a beefed up clutch to handle the extra horses.

[Sources: Inside Line, Carview (via Response)]

Click image for our 35-shot high-resolution photo gallery

Even though it quietly appeared without fanfare at December's Los Angeles Auto Show, the revised Nissan Z car is finally making its official Japanese debut. The Fairlady Z, as it's called in its home market, receives a restyled hood with a power dome that evokes the look of the original Z.

Under said dome resides the latest version of Nissan's "VQ" engine -- the 3.5L VQ35HR, which is now good for somewhere around 308 horsepower (it's rated at 313 PS). Beyond that, the car sees the introduction of some new paint colors, larger head restraints, optional Active Head Restraints, and a grey convertible top and interior trim.

The new Z is joined by the hot-looking, sport-tuned Fairlady Z NISMO (above), which was co-developed with Autech, Nissan's customization arm. The NISMO Z's structure is reinforced to provide added rigidity and rides on sticky Bridgestone rubber and Yamaha Performance Dampers. The snarl it emits comes courtesy of a larger-diameter sport exhaust. It's wrapped in a full NISMO body kit and features a host of exclusive interior accessories as well.

Finally, Autech will produce a Lifecare Vehicle (LV) model of the Z for drivers with leg disabilities. Autech actually does this to many other Nissan models as well, but to us, it's significant that they address the enthusiast with special needs as well. Nicely done.

We'd love to see that NISMO version here, but something tells us the closest we'll get is the next edition of Gran Turismo for the Playstation 3. For more information on the refreshed Z car in general, follow the jump for Nissan's press release.



[Source: Nissan Japan]