Nissan will use next month’s Geneva Motor Show to launch a new model aimed at European markets. The new car will help "reinforce the company's profit and growth aspirations in Europe" and will join up to ten other models that are expected to be launched by Nissan during the 2007/08 business year. The car is being developed at Nissan’s European design center in London and will be built at its Sunderland factory.

The updated 350Z, which was released in Japan recently, is also scheduled to make its European debut at Geneva. With the fitment of the next generation 3.5L V6 engine, the power figures for the new Z coupe and roadster stands at 313hp (230kW) at 6,800rpm and torque is now rated at 358Nm at 4,800rpm. Nearly 80% of major engine parts are new, which has also enabled the engine’s red-line to move up to 7,500 rpm.

To achieve the additional performance, a dual intake system has been fitted and the variable valve timing system has a wider range of operation, plus the addition of a common length exhaust manifold reduces back pressure. In order to achieve the higher rev limit, the crank journal and crank pin have increased in size. Visually, the new 350Z is differentiated from the older model with a new bonnet, new color-schemes and interior trim.

We hope Nissan will also eventually sell its potent 380RS-Competition edition and Nismo Z models in markets outside of Japan.