Report - Next Nissan 370Z (brand discontinued in India) to use Merc engine, new name

Not expected before 2016.

According to Motoring Australia, Nissan is looking to implement hybrid power in the next generation of its smaller 2-door sports car, the 370Z, that will keep the famous "Z" badge alive for the years to come.

Rumored to be called the "Z35", the next gen sportscar will pack a hybrid powertrain that comprises of a smaller Mercedes-Benz derived 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine coupled to a electric motor(s). This helps the user extract more power while lowering the fuel consumption of the car.

If that doesn't suffice, it will also be offered with a 3.0-liter direct-injection V6 engine that is expected to produce over 400 PS. At the moment, it is unconfirmed whether the V6-powered Z35 will also benefit from electric power like its four-cylinder sibling, though that looks like a bit too much on paper.

Other than the powertrain, the report also suggested that the open-top version of the next gen Z car will sport either a Targa roof or a T-bar roof like its ancestor, the 280ZT Fairlady.

Nevertheless, expect both the coupe and the open-top versions to sport a sharper and striking design that will follow the current design philosophy at Nissan.

Like most Nissan high-end production models, the Z35 will be previewed as a concept first at the 2015 Tokyo Auto Show followed by a production-ready model that will see the light of day in 2016.

[Source - Motoring.com.au]