Nissan’s Zed car is back and that new 370Z moniker indicates a bigger 3.7-litre V6 – up from the old car’s 3.5 and lifted from the Infiniti G37. Yet thanks to the extensive use of aluminium throughout, the new 370Z weighs exactly the same as the current 350Z. Time to find out if this make the new Nissan 370Z as good as a Porsche Cayman.

So the Nissan 370Z has been working out? More power, same weight and subtly different looks…

Nice of you to notice. Check out those swollen rear arches and pinched waist. The current 350Z never looked quite right – the rear end was a mess and the flanks lacked definition – but the 370Z answers almost every aesthetic criticism while still retaining the distinctive look of the Zed we’ve loved since 2003.

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The wait is over for the new “boxy” Cube, or to be precise, nearly over as Nissan has released initial details and a full gallery of the Japanese domestic market (JDM) model but only a mere three high-res images of the U.S.-spec version which will make its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show tomorrow, 19 November. Sales of the new Cube begin in Japan on November 26, followed by North American in the spring of 2009, and Europe and other global markets in fall 2009.

2010 Nissan Cube The all-new, third generation of the successful Nissan Cube which has sold nearly one million units to date in Japan since its introduction 1998, retains the characteristic “cubic” and somewhat “toyish” styling as well as the asymmetric rear end of its predecessors. Judging from the pictures that Nissan published, it looks like the U.S.-spec model (pictured above) features a slightly larger front bumper that the JDM model. Inside, the Cube continues the same funky design theme as the exterior with a swoopy dashboard, colorful details and ton-loads of plastic.

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Introduction

Nissan came up with the notion of a four-door sports car for marketing purposes, of course, although it must be said that it has actually delivered on the promise now and again. The front-drive Altima represents its current iteration. Although there are a number of thoroughly competent performers in the mid-size-sedan segment, the Altima sedan still manages to stand out by virtue of its eager responses, better-than-average engines, and snappy styling. If four doors seem too stodgy, there’s also a coupe version, added to the lineup for 2008.

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It just so happens that the all-new 2009 Nissan Murano is one of those nondescript mid-size crossover utility vehicles that may blend into the crowd. Its styling is certainly modern, if not overly exciting. The cabin is accommodating, if not excessively spacious. The handling is inspiring, if not unduly sporty. The engine is strong, and even reasonably efficient. How would this perfectly acceptable, yet hardly over-achieving CUV handle five passengers and full luggage on a 1,000-plus mile road trip across the Southwestern desert? Read on to find out.

The task at hand was to deliver three adults and two children, with their overstuffed baggage, round-trip between Los Angeles and Phoenix in the middle of summer. It’s a trip this writer has been doing for more than a decade, but always in a seven-passenger SUV (Chevrolet Suburban, Dodge Durango, Volvo XC90, etc…). Now, in a CUV with seating for five, we wanted to see how we’d fare (without resorting to strapping Aunt Edna to the roof).

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Road & Track just spilled the beans on the new Nissan GT-R Spec V, so we can now share their data with all of you. Thanks guys. While the “regular” GT-R is busy bringing down giants and collecting hardware in the process, the new GT-R Spec V promises to improve on the formula, and probably cure cancer or bring about world peace along the way. Here are the numbers: 2 seats only, 520 hp @ 6500 rpm, 440 lb.-ft. of torque all the way from 3200–5200 rpm, 3615 lbs., ‘Ring laps quicker than 7:30, $130,000 MSRP, early 2009.
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