Second generation (2007-present)

Second generation

Production	2008-
Platform	Nissan C platform
Engine(s)	2.0L I4 2.0L 150/173 bhp common-rail turbo diesel I4
Transmission(s)	6-speed automatic 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	103.5 in (2629 mm)
Length	182.3 in (4630 mm)
Width	70.7 in (1796 mm)
Height	2WD: 66.5 in (1689 mm) 4WD: 69.7 in (1770 mm)
Related	Nissan Sentra Nissan Rogue Renault Koleos Nissan Qashqai

The 2008 Nissan X-Trail gave its public debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show in March, and went on sale in Europe on the third quarter of that year.

Slightly bigger that the previous model, it is based on the Nissan C platform. This X-Trail appeared in Europe in the first part of the 2007 and towards the end of the year in Australia, but not in the United States and Canada where it was replaced by the Rogue.

First generation (2001-2007)

First generation

Production	2001-2007
Platform	Nissan FF-S platform
Engine(s)	2.0 L 140 bhp I4 2.5L 165 hp I4 2.2L 136 bhp common-rail turbo diesel I4 2.0L 280 hp turbo I4 (Japan only)
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 5 and 6-speed manual
Wheelbase	103.3 in (2624 mm)
Length	4WD: 175.4 in (4455 mm) 2WD: 177.6 in (4511 mm)
Width	Pre-Facelift: 69.5 in (1765 mm) Facelift: 69.2 in (1758 mm)
Height	Base: 65.9 in (1674 mm) SLX & 4WD: 68.9 in (1750 mm)
Related	Nissan Primera Nissan Almera

First generation (2001-2007)

The first-generation X-Trail uses the Nissan FF-S platform, shared with the Nissan Almera and the Nissan Primera. The X-Trail was only sold in Canada for the 2005 and 2006 model years. In the UK the first-generation car was available in S, Sport and SE+ between launch and 2004. The trim levels were then revised to SE, Sport, SVE and T-Spec. At this point all models were equipped with full electric windows, electricity adjustable door mirrors (on SVE & T-Spec they were electrically folding also), climate control, single CD player, 4 airbags and remote central locking. The trim levels were once again revised in 2006.

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail

Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	2001–present
Assembly	Laguna, Philippines Jawa Barat, Indonesia Fukuoka, Japan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia San Yi Miao Li Hsien, Taiwan, Egypt,Cairo
Successor	Canada: Nissan Rogue
Class	Compact crossover SUV
Body style(s)	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Nissan X-Trail is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 2001. It is Nissan's first crossover SUV and was released at the same time as several companies introduced car-based compact SUVs including Ford with their Escape and its Mazda Tribute sibling, Hyundai with their Santa Fe and GM with their Pontiac Aztek.

The X-Trail is positioned below the truck-based Xterra and Pathfinder. The second-generation X-Trail, launched in 2007, did not arrive to Canada and United States, where it was replaced by the Rogue. The Rogue shares the same platform as the second-generation X-Trail and is very similar to the Qashqai.

The company currently offers a hydrogen fuel cell model named the X-Trail FCV on lease to businesses.

Nissan 370Z

Nissan 370Z

Manufacturer	Nissan Motors
Also called	Fairlady Z
Assembly	Tochigi, Tochigi Japan
Predecessor	Nissan 350Z
Class	sports car
Body style(s)	coupe
Layout	FMR layout
Platform	FM platform
Engine(s)	3.7 L (226 cu in) VQ37VHR V6
Related	Infiniti G37 Nissan Skyline

The Nissan 370Z (known as the Fairlady Z in Japan) is a sports car manufactured by Nissan Motors.^[1] It was announced on October 29, 2008 and was unveiled at the 2008 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.^[2][3] The 370Z is the sixth-generation of Nissan's Z-car line, originally introduced in the 1970 model year as the Datsun 240Z. The coupe is set to enter production in January 2009 for the 2009 model year^[1] followed by the roadster version in the 2010 model year.^[4]

The 370Z was unofficially revealed in public at an event in Los Angeles ahead of the 2008 LA Auto Show.^[5]

Design

The Nissan 370Z is a front engine rear-wheel-drive two door sports car. The vehicle features the long-hood short-deck design common to the Z-Car family continuing the tradition of exchanging trunk room for increased performance. External design highlights include a sloping fastback style roof line, high waistline, and bulging fenders that are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle.

Interior cabin design is straight forward. The main gauge pod is mounted directly to the steering column allowing their movement to coincide with steering wheel adjustments. Additional gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster. Unlike the 350Z, the 370Z does make use of a conventional glove box.

Changes from the 350Z include a straighter and sharper A-pillar (similar to the GT-R), new aggressive Maxima-inspired headlights, intelligent key system, more pronounced fender arches, new rocker panels and a new liftgate.^[6]

Engineering

Nissan 370Z rear.

Almost every piece and component of the 370Z has been redesigned. It is powered by the VQ37VHR 3.7 L (230 cu in) DOHC V6 (the same one found in the Infiniti G37 but tuned differently) with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control and produces 332 bhp (248 kW/337 PS). That power is sent to the rear wheels through a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or 6-speed manual transmission that features a world's first synchronized downshift rev matching system as a part of the Sport Package. The car has a Differential Power Switch.

Compared to the 350Z, the 370Z has a wheelbase 4 in (100 mm) shorter at 100.4 in (2,550 mm) and an overall length 2.7 in (69 mm) shorter at 167.1 in (4,240 mm). The overall width has been increased by 1.3 in (33 mm), the rear track by 2.2 in (56 mm), and overall height reduced by 0.3 in (7.6 mm). The smaller exterior dimensions and use of more lightweight materials help reduce weight. The 370Z features aluminum door panels, an all-aluminum hood, and an aluminum hatch.

Front body torsion rigidity is improved by 30 percent with an extensively revised body structure which includes a new front suspension cradle to reduce front body lateral bending, new rear structural reinforcements, and an underbody "V-bar" to help reduce rear lateral bending. Additional enhancements include the use of a carbon fiber composite radiator housing and strengthening of the rear fender and hatch areas. Rear body torsion rigidity is improved by up to 22 percent and rear body vertical bending rigidity is improved by up to 30 percent.

Specifications

	2009
Available Trims	370Z (base), Touring
Powertrain
Engine	VQ37VHR 3.7 L (226 cu in) V6 332 bhp (248 kW) at 7000 rpm 270 lb·ft (370 N·m) at 5200 rpm
Transmission	7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters 6-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match system
Dimensions
Curb Weight	3,232 lb (1,466 kg) (base) 0 lb (0 kg) (Tour)
Wheelbase	100.4 in (2,550 mm)
Length	167.1 in (4,240 mm)
Width	72.8 in (1,850 mm)
Height	51.8 in (1,320 mm)

Fifth generation (Z33)

Nissan 350Z

When Carlos Ghosn of French company Renault stepped in, buying 44.4% of the company in 1999 and becoming its chief operating officer, people still had reason to believe that the Z-car would be lost in the shuffle and would never reappear again. Massive restructuring on a scale never before seen by the Japanese automakers led to such fears, among layoffs, corporate restructuring, and product management issues that resulted. Yet Ghosn surprised people after becoming CEO by telling reporters: "We will build the Z. And we will make it profitable."^[13]

Finally in August 2001, Nissan introduced the Z Concept. Much like its previous Z concept, it debuted at the North American International Auto Show and was also painted bright orange. The squat, long-hood/short-deck styling was the result of a competition between Nissan's Japanese, European, and American design studios, with the La Jolla, California studio's design being chosen. The product planners wisely decided to avoid the price problems that plagued the last few years of the 300ZX and shot for a target MSRP of $30,000 while using the Porsche Boxster as a benchmark.^[14]

In the summer of 2002, the 350Z was finally released to wide acclaim. It used the 3.5-liter VQ35DE engine from multiple Nissan cars, including the Maxima and Pathfinder. This engine initially produced 287 bhp (214 kW) and 274 lb·ft (371 N·m) torque, but in 2005 was bumped up to an even 300 bhp (220 kW) and 260 lb·ft (353 N·m). Prices started at $26,000 US, well below the $30,000 mark initially set. Coupled to either a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic (the auto loses 13 bhp (9.7 kW) in comparison), it is currently available only as a 2-seater hardtop and a convertible, introduced in 2004, and there will not likely be a 2+2 configuration. There are 5 trim packages available, featuring options such as Bose audio systems and leather seats, with the top-of-the-line trim being the Nismo limited edition. This included revised camshafts, a Nismo sport tune exhaust, custom RAYS Engineering 18-inch (460 mm) wheels (19 in/480 mm in rear), front and rear spoilers and rear diffuser, a Brembo braking system with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8 in/330 mm front and 12.7 in/320 mm rear rotors).

The 2005 35th Anniversary and 2006 350Z with manual transmissions receives a new engine, the 3.5L VQ35DE rev-up, which increases the redline to 7000 rpm and increased power to 298 hp (222 kW). And all 2007-2008 350Z models comes with the newer 3.5L VQ35HR engine with dual intakes, 7500 rpm redline, and increased power to 306 hp (228 kW).

So far, there have been many special editions released in Japan, Europe, and the US, with the most notable being the 35th Anniversary Edition. Celebrating 35 years of the Z-car (as opposed to the 300ZX Z31's 50th Anniversary Edition commemorating the company), it was based on the Track Edition and came in three colors (Ultra Yellow, Silverstone and Super Black), special 5-spoke wheels, and special Z emblems.

Nissan 240Z Concept (1999)

Nissan 240Z Concept

The Z-car went on hiatus from 1996 to 2002, as Nissan was not only focusing on SUVs but was also in financial trouble. Many people believed that Nissan would not live to see the new millennium, and that the Z-car would die with it. To keep Z-car interest alive, the company launched a restoration program in 1998 where they purchased original 240Zs, professionally restored them, and sold them at dealerships for $24,000.

Furthermore, Nissan launched a concept car at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, the 240Z Concept. Clearly a throwback to the original, it was a bright orange two-seater with classic swept-back styling . In addition, it was fully functioning, with the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder KA24DE engine from the Nissan Altima featuring 200 bhp (150 kW) and 180 lb·ft (244 N·m) of torque. The designers used an original 240Z to provide inspiration and the concept was created from drawing to running vehicle in only 12 weeks but critics said: it would be cool but get a new model.^[10]

The running concept, featuring a paltry 4-cylinder in the face of the Z-car's traditional 6-cylinder engines, was thought a less than a worthy successor to the line.^[11][12]

Fourth generation (Z32)

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

The only thing that remained unchanged from the previous 300ZX is the 3.0-liter displacement, now with dual overhead camshafts and producing a rated 222 hp (166 kW) and 198 lb·ft (268 N·m) in naturally aspirated form. The big news for enthusiasts, however, was the turbo variant, now upgraded with twin Garrett turbochargers and dual intercoolers. This was good for 300 hp (224 kW) along with 283 lb·ft (384 N·m) of torque.^[7] Performance varied from 0-60 times of 5.0-6.0 seconds depending on the source, and it had a governed top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).

Upon its release, the new 300ZX became an instant hit, winning Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" in 1990 as well as "One of the Top Ten Performance Cars". Automobile Magazine honors the 300ZX/300ZX Turbo as its "Design of the Year" and adds it to their "All Stars" list. Road & Track names the 300ZX Turbo "One of the Ten Best Cars in the World", and Car and Driver adds it to their 10Best for the seven years in which it was in production in America. American Z-car sales reach the one million sales mark in the 1990 model year, making it the all-time best selling sports car.^[8]

One of the first few cars completely designed with CAD software, it featured a whole host of technological advancements. On top-of-the-line twin turbo models, four-wheel steering was available under the name Super HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering). The twin turbochargers, intercoolers, and requisite plumbing left for a cramped engine bay; however, everything fit perfectly with merely the slightest of bulges. The VG30DE(TT) engine also featured dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing.

Like previous generations Nissan offered a 2+2 model with the Z32. In 1993, a convertible version was introduced for the first time in the Z-car's history, as a response to aftermarket conversions. All 300ZXs now featured T-tops as standard, yet there were some rare hardtops (known as "slicktops" to enthusiasts) produced as well.

The 300ZX was doomed to the same fate of many Japanese sports cars at the time. The mid-'90s trend toward SUVs and away from sports cars was influential in ending production in 1996 at over 80,000 units sold. However, the biggest killer of the 300ZX was its inflated price; at its release it was priced at a little over $30,000, but in its final year this price had increased to over $50,000. This left many people questioning its value, and despite a final Commemorative Edition of the final 300 units shipped to America (complete with decals and certificates of authenticity), the Z-car was on hiatus. In Japan, however, the 300ZX lived on for a few more years with a facelift including new rear turn signal len and chrome housing headlight.

Here is the footage of the last Nissan Z-car being built for the United States market in 1996. ^[9]

Third generation (Z31)

Nissan 300ZX (Z31)

The Z-car was completely redesigned in 1984, and introduced Nissan's new series of 3.0-liter V6 engine, dubbed the VG series. The same engine was used in the Electramotive (later to become NPTI) GTP ZX-Turbo that dominated the IMSA GTP races in 1988 and 1989. These were available in both VG30E naturally-aspirated and VG30ET turbocharged forms producing 160 and 200 bhp (120 and 150 kW) respectively, although some VG30ET powered Z-cars exported outside of the US produced 228 bhp (170 kW) due to a longer cam duration and less emission restrictions. These were showcased in sleek new wedge-shaped styling and given a new name, the 300ZX. Like its predecessor, it also proved to be wildly popular and was the second-best selling Z-car in history^[2] selling over 70,000 units due in part not only to its new styling but also to even more added luxury features and high performance. When the 300ZX Turbo was released in Japan it offered the highest HP available in a Japanese standard production car at the time.^[3] Much like the 280ZX that preceded it, the first-gen 300ZX was thought by enthusiasts as more GT than true sports car. It had improved handling, acceleration, and refinement on the previous model Z car, but still could not rejuvenate the original spirit of the 240Z.

Nissan made various changes and claimed improvements to the Z31 model through its entire production. In 1983 Nissan first offered the 300ZX in Japan. It was introduced in the US one year later. All US-market 1984 model Nissan vehicles carried both Datsun and Nissan nameplates. Along with the arrival of their new flagship sports coupe, Nissan launched an aggressive marketing campaign to promote the brand name change from Datsun to Nissan. The 1984 Models can technically be considered the only year of the "Datsun 300ZX". The 1984 300ZX 50th Anniversary Edition was released in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary year. It was based on the standard 300ZX Turbo, but was outfitted with every luxury feature available, a unique black interior with "bodysonic" leather seats in addition to widened fender flares, requisite badging, rear quarter panel flares, and sixteen-inch (406 mm) wheels (400 mm).^[4]

The name for the 50th anniversary edition was "black gold". For the 1985 model year, Nissan dropped the Datsun name brand for good, but the car dealers were still known as Datsun dealers. Paul Newman raced in the 1985 GT1 Challenge and won. This was Newman's 4th national championship. ^[5]Minor changes were made to the 300ZX including a water-cooled turbocharger, smoked taillights, and body-color bumpers.

The 1986 model saw wider flared wheel wells, and the rear quarter panels were designed specifically to accommodate factory ground effects. 1986 turbo models were equipped with an ordinary hood, markedly losing the turbo "scoop" on the drivers side.

In order to keep up with quickly aging aesthetics, another slight redesign happened in 1987, consisting of new rounded, restyled and longer front and rear bumpers, new headlights, and new tail lights. The black trim on turbo models was now a charcoal instead of gloss black, and 1987 Turbo models came with special "smoked" turbo-finned wheels. All 1987 model year turbo cars also received an upgraded manual transmission, larger and more powerful brakes, and turbo cars produced from 4/87 and later came equipped with a clutch-type limited-slip differential.

For the 1988 models, there were again a few small changes. The turbocharger was switched from the Garrett T3 turbo to a lower-inertia T25 turbo, and the engine from 7.8:1 to an 8.3:1 compression ratio in order to reduce turbocharger spool time and provide instant boost at any usable RPM. The interior aluminum accents and chrome door handles that adorned the earlier cars were dropped in favor of matching color parts. Another special edition, the "Shiro Special" (SS), was released in 1988. It was only available in pearl white (shiro meaning "white" in Japanese). The SS package consisted of analog gauges and climate controls with a black interior, stiffer sway bars, stiffer springs, non-adjustable suspension, special seats (recaro), a viscous-coupling limited slip differential, and a special front lower lip spoiler. This package had no options; all 88SS cars are identical.^[6]

The 1989 Models are identical to 1988 models, though somewhat rare because of Nissan winding-down production early in preparation for the second generation 300ZX.