Nissan 370Z (2008): first official photos

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

29 October 2008 11:00

These are the world's first pictures of the new Nissan 370Z. Released ahead of the 370Z’s official debut at the LA Auto Show in November 2008, these three photographs reveal the new look of Nissan’s latest Z car. More pictures and the full technical details of the 370Z will be released on Wednesday 19 November, so come back to CAR Online then as we report live from the LA show.

It does, but the current 350Z has been a great image builder for Nissan, so why change a winning recipe? The 370Z packs subtly updated aggressive looks, a large capacity V6 engine up front and a rear-wheel drive chassis. It's still following the classic back-to-basics sports car formula.

Let’s start with those looks. The silhouette is familiar but the new 370Z has a shorter wheelbase than the current Zed, and a correspondingly shorter rear overhang. This means a more curvaceous rear hatch which, combined with bulbous rear arches, makes the whole car appear squatter.

The rear lights are now styled like a boomerang flick, rather than the elongated triangle of today’s car. There’s also a central foglight, two big exhaust pipes and a hint of a rear diffuser at the rump. The tacked-on spoiler that featured on most UK 350Z versions is absent, but there is a slight flick up to the rear hatch to aid the aerodynamics (and looks).

By Ben Pulman