Nissan Improving 350Z for '07
We’re big fans of Nissan’s Z car, with its well-balanced 3.5-liter V-6 and short-throw stick shift. According to Nissan, next year’s model will be even better: New colors, including a gray convertible top for the 350Z Roadster, plus active head restraints and various “performance enhancements” are in store, according to a press release.
OK, that last part – say again?
A Nissan spokesman was mum on full performance details, which he said the automaker will release sometime before the ’07 Z goes on sale in January. But he did say next year’s car will employ a second-generation version of Nissan’s award-winning VQ35. That’s code for the 3.5-liter V-6 found in the 350Z, not to mention the Altima, Maxima, Infiniti G35 and several other quick-stepping cars.
Other upcoming-engine details we learned include new variable valve timing on the exhaust valves – the previous system only worked on the intake ones – and a 7,500-rpm redline instead of the current 7,000-rpm redline. Additional materials aim to increase rigidity and lower friction, too.
No power figures have been released yet, but considering the second-gen motor makes “300-plus hp” in the upcoming 2007 G35 (the ’06 model tops out at 298 hp), we think the 2007 350Z could make 315 or 320 hp, about 6 percent over the current car.
Sure, that increase is peanuts compared to the double-digit leaps achieved by Ford’s 4.6-liter V-8 and BMW’s 3.0-liter inline-six in their recent redesigns (for the ’05 Mustang GT and ’06 330i, respectively). Blame it on Nissan’s current V-6, which is such a first-rate engine it left little room for improvement.
Want more? The aftermarket is happy to shoehorn countless performance doodads into customized 350Zs for balls-to-the-walls power, and one blog reports a supercharged 382-hp 350Z GT-S could arrive from Nissan in 2007. As factory warranty and supercharged rarely fall in the same sentence these days, we’d certainly welcome such a car.
[Source: Nissan]
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The 2007 350z sounds great, engine wise. I hope they also will make the interior just a little sexier with colour coded door inserts that match the tan coloured leather seats. Otherwise great car!!!
I think a supercharged z would really bring the american muscule car fanz running towards us or for the hills FO SUR...........and they better change the g35 coupe to the concept they released at the auto show last year...
They came out today here in Orlando. I got a quote at $500 below invoice already from Bill Ray Nissan. Are they that overpriced off the bat?
Al,
we updated the pricing here yesterday:
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/01/07_350z_prices.html
We don't like to mention dealer names either. I don't think they're overpriced and the new engine is exceptional, we drove it in the new G35 but have yet to test the new Z.
If you get decent financing I don't think there's a real problem with the offer. Sometimes when a new model comes out the dealer wants to sell a lot at right away so he gets more in the future depending on inventory arrangements.
Let us know how it goes.