Nissan Zed caught

Nissan's long-awaited replacement for the 350Z has been caught by our spymeisters at Carparazzi. Set to be unveiled at next month's LA Auto Show, the international press was teased with glimpses of the proportions of the new Zed car at Nissan 360 in Portugal earlier this year (more here). Then, a body buck of the car hinted at its new pumped up look and trimmed dimensions.

Now the car has been caught in late production model testing. As you can see from the pics hereabouts, though there's a hint of GT-R around the front end, the car's styling is largely evolutionary. That said Nissan insiders promise the car is significantly lighter and it appears to ride on a trimmed wheelbase and increased track.

Performance has been further boosted thanks to a new engine. Derived from the 3.7-litre V6, that powers the Infiniti/Skyline G37 models, the new powerplant will be further modified for the Zed to improve its breathing and make it rev harder. Expect a peak power level of around 240kW.

Though Australia will definitely be on the Zed's itinerary, there's some conjecture on just when it will arrive. Nissan Australia would no doubt like to market the new 370Z alongside its firebreathing GT-R stablemate when the latter arrives in April 2009. Alas, at this stage it seems unlikely the new two-seater Zed will arrive Down Under until early 2010.

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