11-12-2008 09:41 PM

Here’s an good design comparison between the Datsun 240Z and the soon-to-debut Nissan 370Z on Jalopnik. Rumor has it that the 370Z is 300lbs lighter than the outgoing 350Z, and will produce more horsepower, 332 to be exact. Though it’s hard to tell from photos, the 370Z is also shorter than the 350Z, with a wheelbase of 99 inches. We’re not as fond of the new look as our friends at Jalopnik are, but we’ll reserve judgment until we see it in person at the LA Auto Show next week.

[Jalopnik]

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Ehh, I want to see it in a few other colors and whatnot.

Still think the useless side window and GTR-esque A pillar peak are the worst parts of it, but then again other elements of the car are so much more detailed and considered than the 350, which I always thought was a great looking car... The best parts of the 370 though seem most easily noticed next to the 350.

The bulges are awkwardly implemented IMO, I'll still miss the 350 in a few ways, but it's hard to hate the 370 when it really isn't much of a departure at all.

I admit that I enjoy listening to people explain why they don't like a certain car. I was at the Indy Z car club meeting tonight and someone had a picture of the 370Z on his computer. The hard-core 350Z drivers dislike it every bit as much as some of the people around here complain (or at least did in the past) about the 350Z.

I also admit to being weird in that I like all of them. (S20 to 370)

I admit that I enjoy listening to people explain why they don't like a certain car. I was at the Indy Z car club meeting tonight and someone had a picture of the 370Z on his computer. The hard-core 350Z drivers dislike it every bit as much as some of the people around here complain (or at least did in the past) about the 350Z.

I also admit to being weird in that I like all of them. (S20 to 370)

I'll admit to being one who complain(s/ed) about the audi-er 350Z:stupid:I haven't seen enough of the 370, but so far, it seems to be spoiling the trend I noticed about "every third generation".

Will

I never really minded the look of the 350z. I mean if you wanna drive a bathtub flipped upside down with wheels on it then be my guest . I'm not to thrilled about the design of the 370. I'm not to fond of the lights, I think they look dumb but other than that I don't see a heck of a lot of change it still looks like someone flipped a bathtub upside down and put wheels on it.

I don't really 'mind' the 350Z/370Z look either. It's just the way the modern cars have gone and I take that into consideration. Just look at some of the modern Chrysler products. Old cars are more 'art' and modern cars are more 'science' IMO. Porsche did allright with the 'bathtub' look.

Several years ago, one of the larger car magazines made the statement most cars were beginning to become "a gumdrop with wheels". I believe that is absolutely the truth.

Personally, I am waiting for the science of Gummy automobiles-those that have dynamic areas of skin(alluded to by the speed (pressure) activated rear spoilers popularized by the VW Corrado and others).

The water channeling skin(enabling water to flow over water instead of skin) found in some sharks is another thing I would expect to be applied to automobiles.

Will

I don't really 'mind' the 350Z/370Z look either. It's just the way the modern cars have gone and I take that into consideration. Just look at some of the modern Chrysler products. Old cars are more 'art' and modern cars are more 'science' IMO. Porsche did allright with the 'bathtub' look.

Yeah Porsche just released the new "911" a couple of months ago. Looks just like the old one, just faster and more high-tech. I really think its about time they dragged their style into the 21st century. Of course, if they did a bold new modern design 911 everyone would complain about it not looking like a Porsche should.

Cars these days have gone back to featuring sharp chiseled lines and angular designs. The blob on wheels phase of the 90's has been left behind by most manufactures. I bet it will come around again. Give it 10 years or so and smooth curvy blobs on wheels will be the new black.

Yeah Porsche just released the new "911" a couple of months ago. Looks just like the old one, just faster and more high-tech. I really think its about time they dragged their style into the 21st century. Of course, if they did a bold new modern design 911 everyone would complain about it not looking like a Porsche should.

Cars these days have gone back to featuring sharp chiseled lines and angular designs. The blob on wheels phase of the 90's has been left behind by most manufactures. I bet it will come around again. Give it 10 years or so and smooth curvy blobs on wheels will be the new black.

Yeah, the "gumdrop" phase was left behind by any car purporting to be stylish about ten years ago... Most recent designs have displayed BMW-esque "flaming" and overwrought angularity that makes me think more of the 1970s than the 80s or 90s.

The 911 isn't really a 911 anyway, and as the model name is carried on only for recognition, it makes sense to keep the shape is as well... I'd be open to a new, radical Porsche that didn't look like a 911, but yeah it seems as if Porsche is similarly scared of having any cars at all NOT look like a 911... Sedans and SUVs included.

I'm still very happy that Nissan hasn't gone too retro... I'd say the Z has been faring pretty well design-wise over the years. Let's not forget that it almost had a 4 cylinder and looked like this: