Preview: 2009 Nissan 350Z

Posted Tue Sep 18 2007 12:42 PM by Kenneth Hall

The Nissan 350Z, or 'Fairlady' as it’s known in Japan, is set to be replaced by an all-new model in 2009 and these new renderings give a good indication as to what to expect for the styling of the new car. The current model has already won numerous accolades around the globe, its combination of a front-engine RWD layout and a torquey V6 motor have won it many fans across the globe and it’s a formula engineers won’t be mucking around with for the new model. Most sources are divided on whether Nissan will go with Infiniti’s new 3.7L V6 engine or stick with the current 3.5L mill, but one thing is widely agreed upon – the ’09 Z will develop up to 350hp.

Recent spy shots of the car at the Nurburgring saw it testing alongside a Porsche Cayman, and this is the model that Nissan engineers are supposedly using as a benchmark for their new sports car. You might recall they did the same thing when testing the new GT-R, only the benchmark was Porsche’s 911 Turbo. Though the 350Z prototype was heavily camouflaged, the outlines of a folding roof could clearly be seen that suggest the new car might be available as a coupe-cabrio.

One aspect designers will be focusing on is the interior, which should be a major improvement over the widely-criticized cabin of the current car. Click here and here to see the renderings.

Thanks to Ignacio for sending in the tip.

Reader Comments

Tue Sep 18 2007 1:16 PM
Gus says

Looks clean, aggressive and Japanese, exactly as it should.
I read somewhere that these are the most dengerous cars in the world. Not because of a safety flaw, but because they are so popular with inexperienced drivers.
Fri Sep 21 2007 6:54 AM
haha says

ppl on autospies.com are gay.
Fri Sep 21 2007 7:46 AM
Bob says

It looks like a station wagon that the top broke off of.
Tue Sep 25 2007 10:32 PM
Tony Avila says

It is so flattering to this Porsche fan of four and one half decades (not to mention owner of a 2006 Cayman S) to know that just about everyone making a sports car looks to Porsche for the state of the art. They will always be playing catch-up, because when they present their attempt to equal or surpass Porsche, the next 900 series rendition, which will always be better than it's predecessor, is being readied for production
Wed Feb 13 2008 2:30 PM
Casey says

My 350Z has equal power as a Cayman S for less than half the price, although it does weigh a little more. The Germans are the best suspension tuners in the world, but for the price I might rather spend the extra money on a car with better engine output. Tony's Cayman S would get spanked by a standard Corvette, probably even around a track.

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