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With just a little over a month before the all-new 2010 Nissan 370Z gets officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show, we've grabbed footage of a test mule running around Southern California. Nissan granted us permission to shoot video and photos of the prototype, although company officials refused to confirm specific technical details of the new Z.
Still, seeing the prototype up close and in person was very revealing. While the new car shares a similar silhouette with the current Z, every body panel appears to be new. Most notable are the Maxima-like arrow-shaped headlights (still partially disguised with tape in our photos and video), the design of which is mimicked by the taillights. The rear fenders are also considerably wider than the current Z's, while the fronts have grown more shapely as well. Nissan's attempts at disguise can't hide the new Z's flatter, GT-R-like roofline, or a rear-three-quarter window line that sweeps up, as opposed to down on the current car. Other obvious changes include a more aggressive front airdam and grille, and new door handles.
The interior has also been given a complete overhaul, with a more modern, intriguing style, yet the classic Z 3-pod instrument cluster remains. Models with navigation (see the interior photos shot by KGP of a prototype from Germany) have adopted the latest Infiniti/Nissan display system, the controls of which sit below the nav screen in a keyboard-like format.
Although we don't know the final specifications of the 370Z, we are almost certain it will adopt the Infiniti G37's 3.7-liter V-6 with close to 350 bhp. The 370Z's platform is based on the 350Z's, but sources have suggested that every aspect has been redesigned. We also understand the new Z is slightly shorter and a bit lighter than the car it replaces — a rarity these days.
Despite all the changes, when seen in person the new 370Z still looks like a Z — just a significantly updated, slightly flashier version of its former self. Production of the car is set to begin in Japan any day now, with U.S. models arriving at dealers in late January.
Most interesting is the difference in the center stack from the one in Germany. I relly prefer the AC controls found in this more production ready Z instead of just using the Maxima/G unit like the protos in Germany. This car appears to have a complete paint job and production spec interior (base/non-touring model).
Another interesting thing is the left-most, white, digital gauge.
And finally, the lack of the crossmember between the rear suspension towers.
Last edited by in.the.dark; 10-13-2008 at 09:49 AM.
nice find. that interior is sick..love that info guage i'm guessing on the left. i wonder if that's the base 6-speed and the one in germany is like a gt due to different wheels and a spoiler maybe like an aero package. don't like those stock wheels..offsets look even a little worse than stock model now but nothing that spacers or new wheels can't fix. i'm excited about the debut and the 7-speed auto with paddle shifters.
so is that square brakelight a part of the USDM model, the slideshow showed it and a few more pics before it started the German pics. headlights on the usdm didnt seem to have the bubbles in them
Definitely like the german ac knobs/layout over the big bulky usdm one. I like alot of the styling cues, just dont think they flow to well together.
the rear is total crap though, no cover ugly there.
Looks awesome! I love how they keep the basic shape of the 350 but also go a littel retro to the grand daddy of the Z's, the 240Z. The sweeping doors, rear quarter window, and the roof line sweeping back.
The car looks great until you look at the front of it. The front end of that car is the nasty. The new interior rocks. The back looks good but the front. Wtf
love the gauges on the interior. and the steering wheel I think.
it is really interesting that they are using an upright rear taillight layout, while most other manufactureres are turning them sideways (Audi and Lamborghini most notably) to make the car wider. I think that is contributing to my impression of the car looking very tall as compared to wider and lower. ditto on what the maxima's new headlights did to that car. (the maxima is hideous)/
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