A Nissan Silva Coupe with a Schizophrenic Personality

In October of 2010 we brought you a Toyota Soarer / Lexus SC that had been transformed into an abomination with a Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM front end and a Nissan 200SX rump. It was bad, but I still liked it better than the snooze-mobile that was the ‘91 Soarer / CS.

Well, from the same website that brought us that automotive mullet comes yet another creation that’s been refashioned into something else. This time its a Nissan Silva. This particular freak of coach building features a Mercedes-Benz rear end (or at very least the taillights) and Nissan 350Z front end. The result is less than impressive.

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No Really, this is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider and it's Powered by a Subaru Turbo Boxer!

Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.

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Nissan 350Z Poses as a Porsche Panamera Convertible...

[Updated gallery] The Tokyo Auto Salon is always a blast featuring all sorts of unique tuning proposals, like this here Porsche wannabe. When our Tokyo show man Phil e-mailed the above photo, we assumed it pictured a Porsche -possibly a Boxster- modified to resemble a Panamera Convertible. We were quickly proven wrong, however, when he sent over an image of the interior and some video footage revealing that the Porsche Panamera tune was actually a...masqueraded Nissan 350Z Roadster. More photos after the jump.

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Unichip Introduces New ECU Upgrade for Nissan 350Z

The Nissan 350Z has long been replaced by the all-new 370Z but the tuning industry isn't about to stop introducing performance upgrades for the Japanese sports car any time soon.

Now, Unichip Europe has released a new plug and play 'U-connect' piggy back ECU for the 350Z that adds another 20bhp raising the V6's peak output from a measured 264bhp to a mighty 284 bhp. Similarly, torque increases by 26 lb.ft, bringing the total from 236 lb.ft to 262 lb.ft.

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Nissan 370Z - First Live Photos from European Gathering

It's only been a week since Nissan dropped the first official shots of the brand-new 370Z into the web and even though the sports coupe is supposed to make its first public appearance at the upcoming 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show that runs November 21 to 30, the Japanese automaker revealed the vehicle to a handful of people somewhere in Europe. We're not sure whether it was a closed media session or if Nissan showed the new 'Z' to a few of its European employees, but fact is that someone managed to take a few shots and post them on an enthusiast forum.

Aside from the different color of the interior, the 370Z seen here is in the same gray/silver metallic finish as the car seen in the press shots. You can check out those photos and read all the initial info that we have on Nissan's new Z coupe by clicking here.

RELATED STORIES (Click on the links):

• NISMO-Prepped 370Z Photo Leaked
  
• Nissan 370Z Official Pictures
  
• Video: Nissan 370Z in Need For Speed Teaser Film
  
• Nissan 370Z Official Teaser Pic from Presentation
  
• Japanese Magazine Builds 370Z Replica Based on 350Z
  
• Video: Nissan 370Z First Drive
  
• Nissan 370Z Stars in Need For Speed Undercover Video Game

Via: The370Z

Video No2: Nissan 370Z First Drive with Interior Shots

Following on the heels of Motortrend magazine (check out the video by clicking here), Edmunds' Insideline has also released a video of its first encounter with the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z after the Japanese firm invited a group of journalists to test drive a pre-production prototype model. If we'd like to make a short list of the most important changes on the 370Z these would include: the shorter wheelbase, the Infiniti-derived 3.7-liter V6 engine, the less fussy design and the better quality materials in the interior. Hit the jump to watch the video. -Continued

2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Pricing Announced

Even though the new 370Z Coupe will be introduced at next month's LA Auto Show with sales scheduled to begin early next year, the roadster version of the current 350Z will continue to be available for an undetermined period of time. The only noteworthy change for the 2009MY 350Z Roadster concerns the addition of a new Moonlight White exterior color. The 2009 model is offered in three trims, Enthusiast, Touring and Grand Touring with prices set at $36,870, $39,220 and $41,570 respectively for models equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox. -Continued

If you happen to prefer an auto box, in which case we'd advise you to look for a less sporty vehicle but if you insist, Nissan charges an extra $1,000 for the 5-speed automatic transmission.

2009 Nissan 370Z Partially Revealed on Need For Speed Undercover Game

The forthcoming Nissan 370Z is exactly what we'd call one of the best kept secrets of the auto industry. So it comes to no surprise that the 350Z's successor was partially revealed in one of the teaser films for the Need for Speed Undercover video game that is slated to be in stores North America on November 18 and in Europe on November 21. Along with the above screenshot that was sent to us by our reader Marcus, we also managed to take a few more shots ourselves from one of the videos on the NFS website. -Continued

If you happen to have any doubts that these pictures actually depict the new 370Z that is expected to be revealed at next month's 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, just click here to see a screenshot of the Japanese sports coupe that was taken during an official Nissan presentation earlier this year.

Thanks for the pic Marcus!

Datsun 240Z - Fairlady Z Retro Concept with a Touch of GT-R

Looks like the Datsun XLink concept that was created by Benjamin Nawka at Nissan’s Yulon Design Center (see here) has given birth to a newly found interest for the long-gone Japanese brand. This modern interpretation of the iconic Datsun 240Z / Fairlady Z of the 1970s is the work of a Polish designer Jacek Kolodziejczyk who goes by the alias 'Iacoski. The Fairlady Z Concept study combines the classic lines of the original 240Z with several design elements from the new Nissan GT-R such as the front grille, the side air vents and the headlamps. And while it may never go into production, the end result is pretty dang cool. What do you think? -Image gallery after the jump

Source: Iacoski , Via: Jpcnews

2009 Nissan 370Z Spied on the Road

Even though the new 370Z is just around the corner as Nissan is planning to unveil its next-generation sports car at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, camouflaged prototypes are still making their appearance on U.S. highways. This particular 370Z prototype was scooped by VWVortex forum member “LivingVoice” somewhere in the States. As you can see in the photos, the new 370Z seems to have retained the 350Z’s basic design, which is something totally okay with us. Hopefully Nissan won’t replicate the current Z’s interior in terms of the low-quality materials that seemed out of place in a car like the 350Z. -One more image after the jump

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: VWVortex

2008 Nissan 350Z / Fairlady Z Nismo & 400Hp Nismo Type 380RS Competition

Now this is more like it or isn’t it? See, according to Nissan’s press release, which you can check out below, the 350Z –Fairlady Z in Japan, gets a pack load of goodies like an impressive bodykit, enhanced suspension and tires but there’s no word of any engine upgrades. Even though the Japanese version of the 2008 350Z pumps out 313Hp isn’t it a shame that this car doesn’t get a bit more power?

Anyways, along with the supped up 350Z / Fairlady Z, Nismo also presented the racing version of the car, which goes by the name Fairlady Z NISMO Type 380RS-Competition (image below). Apart from chipping away a few pounds and revising suspension & brakes, NISMO also fiddled around with Nissan’s 3.5 V6 increasing its capacity to 3.8-litres and interfering with the electronics. The upgraded VQ35HR produces 400Hp and 43,0 kgm of torque. -Thanks for the Tip!

PRESS RELEASE: Nissan 350Z / Fairlady Z Nismo: Based on the new Fairlady Z, the Version NISMO fuses NISMO's extensive racing expertise, gained through competing in SUPER GT and other race series as the Nissan works team, with the Autech Japan’s extensive experience in manufacturing completely customized vehicles. The new model provides a heightened dimension of sporty driving pleasure, backed by the Fairlady Z's renowned performance capabilities. The customl Version Nissan can be purchased at Nissan dealers nationwide and receives the same after-sales service as regular Fairlady Z models.

To help enhance driving performance, the Version NISMO’s body stiffness has been improved by increasing the welded area of the body panels and adding additional reinforcement bars and panels, among other measures. High-grip Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires have been adopted to absorb high input forces from the road surface. In addition, the suspension system has been totally retuned to further boost cornering performance. An optimum balance of handling and driving comfort has also been achieved by adopting Performance Dampers that effectively damp force inputs to the body.

The exterior design was developed on the basis of meticulous studies conducted by the Design Group and the Vehicle Performance Testing Group. A supercomputer was used to run design simulations based on aerodynamic data collected with SUPER GT race cars. The distinctive body form obtained as a result provides superior handling and stability, together with aerodynamic characteristics for creating effective downforce. The interior is also distinguished by its unique, premium-quality ambience, resulting from the use of exclusive metallic-looking genuine leather trim. Seats are upholstered with a perforated Alcantara center section that holds the body more firmly during sporty driving.

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2007 Nissan 350Z 306Hp – Official press release & images

Nissan USA announced the availability and pricing of its revised 2007 Nissan 350Z Coupe & Roadster models. Like the 2007 Japanese version, the updated 350Z benefits from a new hood design reminiscent of the classic first generation 240Z and most importantly, from the adoption of the fourth generation VQ35 engine. Albeit in Japan the 3.5 V6 VQ35HR produces 313 Hp, in the US it lost a few “ponies” as it delivers 306Hp. That makes the 2007 350Z a whopping… 6Hp stronger than the 2006 version. Likewise, torque is up at 268 lb-ft from 260 lb-ft while the rev limit is increased to 7,500 rpm. Unfortunately Nissan hasn’t released any official performance figures yet.

PRESS RELEASE: The Nissan 350Z continues to offer sports car lovers high performance excitement and dynamic driving experience. For the 2007 model year, Nissan engineers have taken the award-winning sports car one step further with the next generation of its award-winning VQ-series 3.5-liter V6. The new VQ35HR V6 produces 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque and features a twin air intake system, among other enhancements, that increases efficiency and allows for improved fuel economy.

Other new features for the 2007 350Z include a new front hood design, three new exterior colors, a new gray colored convertible top (Roadster models), interior improvements, a Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System (Touring, Grand Touring Coupes) and standard front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags (Roadster models). These new features enhance the already well-equipped sports car, which features speed-sensitive power steering system, LED taillights, refined optional navigation system and available RAYS super lightweight 18-inch front/19-inch rear 5-spoke forged alloy wheels (Coupe only).

For 2007, the 350Z is again available in Coupe and Roadster body styles and in an array of models – four for the Coupe and three for the Roadster. Each provides sports car lovers high performance excitement and a dynamic driving experience, with a style all its own.

New 3.5 V6 VQ35HR Engine: The fourth-generation VQ-series V6, which has been named one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward’s Auto World magazine for 14 consecutive years, has been significantly revised for use in the 2007 350Z, with approximately 80% of major parts (except bolts, O-rings and clips) redesigned.

The block features ladder frame construction for greater rigidity, crank journal and pin diameters have been increased and the block height has been increased by 8.4 millimeters to reduce piston side force. Also, the engine center has been lowered 15 millimeters. Other engine enhancements include variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), a higher rev limit (increased to 7,500 rpm) and higher compression ratio (from 10.3:1 to 10.6:1), asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, improved coolant flow and new Iridium-tipped spark plugs.

A new symmetric twin ram air intake system helps reduce airflow resistance and increases horsepower, by up to three horsepower, as more air enters the intake at speed. Along with a powerful engine, the Z produces a powerful sports car sound to match – one without the low frequency booming or rumbling or high-pitched mechanical sounds that can grow tiresome on long trips.

Prices: The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2007 Nissan 350Z increases only $250 from 2006 on all models except the 350Z Roadster Enthusiast model, which increases $500 and includes front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags that are now standard on all Z Roadsters.

For 2007, the Nissan 350Z Coupe is available in four models – 350Z 6MT, 350Z Enthusiast, 350Z Touring and 350Z Grand Touring: Starting MSRP for the 350Z Coupe with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission is $27,900. The Enthusiast Coupe adds cruise control, Traction Control System (TCS), Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD), aluminum pedals and more, and is available in a 6-speed manual configuration starting at $29,600 or in a 5-speed automatic configuration starting at $30,600. The 2007 Nissan 350Z Coupe Touring model is available with a 6-speed manual starting at $32,700 and with a 5-speed automatic configuration starting at $33,200. Touring models add a 7-speaker Boseâ audio system, heated power leather seats and, with manual transmission, standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).

Nissan 350Z Coupe Grand Touring models start at $36,100 for the 6-speed manual configuration and $37,100 for the 5-speed automatic configuration, and add super-lightweight forged-alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, Brembo brakes and VDC for both the manual and automatic transmissions.

For 2007, the 350Z Roadster is offered in three models – Enthusiast, Touring and Grand Touring: The 2007 Nissan 350Z Roadster Enthusiast with a 6-speed manual configuration starts at $35,550, while the 5-speed automatic configuration starts at $36,550. Both feature power seats, a glass rear window with rear defroster and a rear wind deflector. The 350Z Roadster Touring trim adds a 7-speaker Bose audio system and heated leather seats and starts at $37,900 for the 6-speed manual configuration and $38,900 for the 5-speed automatic configuration. The 350Z Roadster Grand Touring model adds Brembo brakes and standard VDC for both the 6-speed manual configuration, which starts at $40,250, and the 5-speed automatic configuration, which starts at $41,250.

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