New Nissan Model and Updated 350z to be Revealed at Geneva Motor Show

With the forthcoming 2007 Geneva International Motor Show, car manufacturers are getting ready to show off their wares. One such company is Nissan which has recently announced that they will be unveiling for the first time a new model that will be what the company hopes will carry the company towards greater profitability in the European market.

As of now, no details were given as to which segment the car will compete in. The said car will be introduced to the public at the opening of the 2007 Geneva International Motor show which is slated on March 6 this year. Carlos Tavares, the Executive Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Product Planning of Nissan, was given the honor to unveil the said new car model.

Aside from the new vehicle model that will be shown off to the public, Nissan is also going to reveal their upgraded 350Z. The car is competing in the sports car segment and the upgrades that it was given is sure to boost its standing on the said market.

One of the most compelling upgrade that the Nissan 350Z has is in terms of power. The updated version will sport a 3.5-liter V6 engine. In connection with this, almost all of the engine parts are upgraded as well in order to provide an optimum performance of the new engine. As much as 80 percent of all engine components received upgrades.

A dual intake system is one of the new engine features that the 350Z will employ. The new generation engine is also outfitted with a variable valve timing system with an increased range of operation to further improve the fuel efficiency of the sports car. In addition to that, a common length exhaust manifold is also integrated to the car’s exhaust system which reduces the back pressure created by the exiting exhaust gas. The result of the addition of those features is a greater engine boost during low and mid-range torque operations.

Aside from giving the engine a boost on low and mid-range torque operation, the engine is also equipped with features that enhance its high torque operation. Larger crank pins and crank journals allow the engine to have higher torque limit. And in order to toughen the crankshaft and reduce vibration from the V6 engine, a ladder frame is integrated at the bottom of the engine.

Another system that has benefited from the upgrading is the ignition system. The installation of another knock sensor and the use of asymmetric piston pattern allow better cylinder cooling. The efficiency of the said components in keeping the engine at its normal operating temperature can be likened to the efficiency of a Volvo radiator. While the knock sensor and redesigned pistons increase the cooling aspect of the cylinder, the iridium spark plugs that will be employed on the V6 engine will make sure that power is efficiently generated in the combustion chamber.

Another improvement that increases the power of the engine is the improved compression ratio now at 10:6. With all these additional and enlarged components, the weight of the engine compared to the previous engines used is more or less the same. The center of gravity of the engine is lowered by 15 millimeters which is common for a sports car.

With the bigger engine to be used by the Nissan 350Z, the front end of the car is redesigned in order to house the engine. Due to the redesigning of the car’s front bonnet, it now resembles the original 240Z. The upgrades in the 350Z also continue inside it for it now offers a more sophisticated look.