Infiniti shares Nissan 370Z platform - but main focus will be comfort.

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Auto Express drives the GT-R for the first time in the UK this week – but it isn’t the only high-performance car to come from Nissan. Luxury arm Infiniti has hinted at its own new coupé.

The firm leaked the news last month, when it revealed a plastic-moulded silhouette of what appeared to be a sleek two-door during the Nissan 360 drive event in Portugal. Bosses are keeping quiet about the forthcoming baby, but have said a concept will debut at a top motor show next year.

We also know that the new coupé will share its platform with the soon-to-be-revealed Nissan 370Z Coupé – a car that will arrive in the US market by late 2010 and go on sale in Europe soon afterwards. The Infiniti will rival the likes of the BMW Z4 and Porsche Cayman.

Power comes from Nissan’s 2.5-litre V6, which drives the rear wheels, and the car will be a strict two-seater. Buyers are to be offered a choice of a six-speed manual transmission or Infiniti’s seven-ratio automatic gearbox. However, the newcomer isn’t likely to be as hardcore as its 370Z cousin. True to Infiniti’s brand image, engineers will concentrate on comfort rather than outright performance. Expect it to be decked out with leather and plenty of gadgets, and get soft suspension for a smooth ride.

What is the horsepower on this? Looks better then the G37 out now...

What is the horsepower on this? Looks better then the G37 out now...
Not sure, it wasn't published.

Looks sweeeeeeeeet!

it'll sell b/c people think the G37 for $35k is high enough

Daayyuuuuumm!!! :D

I'll start saving pennies now...

~ Zire

I saw the 2009 Maxima and has a 290Hp 3.5 L now the infiniti is a 2.5 L I would assume that it will be over 200Hp.

Is that right about the 2.5 liter quote? That doesn't make any sense. Why would Infiniti drop to a 2.5 when the company is going from the 3.5 to a 3.7? That's gotta be a type-o.

I've seen spy shots of the 370Z and I prefer the smoother, simpler lines of the current 350Z myself. I believe he meant 3.5L.

I believe the new 370Z will be coming out with the new 3.7VVLE engine. The VVLE stands for Variable Valve Lift Event. That means the thing can change the amount of valve lift for different driving conditions such as reduced lift at low speeds for smoother engine performance and better economy. And a lot of lift, like a big cam, for WOT with a significant gain in horsepower. I've seen how it works, it basically changes the rocker arm ratio to increase or decrease the valve lift. This is why the GTR can get Hwy mileage in the mid 20's.

I believe it is designated VQ37HR and the intake valve train is similar to the BMW Valvetronic but the exhaust side is conventional shim/bucket, otherwise it is very similar to the new-for-2007 306 HP VQ35HR (G35 sedan &350Z) with twin throttle bodies and upgraded exhaust. My wife has one of the 07 VQ35HR's and it is an amazing mill. Here is a gif of the 3.7 cam/valve layout.

I am posting this to correct myself, it appears there will two variants of the 3.7L, the VQ37HR (G37 coupe) and the VQ37VHR (370Z). The VHR will have the variable intake. IMHO I would avoid the complexity (liability) of the variable engine until it has been around the block a few times and had any bugs worked out. The non-variable VQ 3.5L series has been outstanding, making Wards Ten Best Engines 8 years in a row, the ONLY engine EVER to do that, even BMW, Porsche or Mercedes have not been able to claim that feat.

Nissan has been using variable length intake runners on their engines since the early 90's actually since 89, with the introduction of the redesigned Maxima. Nothing new to them. The only thing new is the variable lift cam setup for the 3.7.