Nissan 370Z Yellow: Limited Edition Model with Racy Graphics

Unlike Japan and North America, Europe has not taken delivery of the NISMO-prepped 370Z sports car and from the looks of it, this won't be happening any time soon. What Nissan does offer European buyers is special edition models like the German market 370Z Nurburgring and now, the UK market 370Z Yellow. This version of the 370Z is differentiated by the 'Ultimate Yellow' paint job combined with black colored 370Z graphics on the flanks and a set of 19-inch RAYS forged alloys.

Inside the 370Z Yellow features contrasting black leather and suede sport seats, an integrated satellite navigation system, illuminated entry plates, special mats and a BOSE audio with eight speakers and a six-CD autochanger.

There are mechanical upgrades with the 370Z Yellow using the same 331HP 3.7-liter V6 engine linked to a six-speed manual or optionally, a seven-speed automatic transmission, that launches the coupe from rest to 62mph (100km/h) in 5.3sec and goes on to a restricted top speed of 155mph or 250km/h.

If you live in the UK and are interested in buying a yellow 370Z with black graphics (well, that's what it is...), you'll have to wait until September when the first cars begin arriving at Nissan's showrooms priced from £31,650 for the manual gearbox model and £33,050 for the automatic.

Nissan GT-R Sets Guinness Record as World's Fastest Production Four-Seater

Leaving the oh-so-boring Nurburgring lap time records aside for a moment, Nissan's European arm announced that the new GT-R has made its way into the Italian edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records". The Japanese supercar set a world record for the fastest 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration by a four seater series production car with a sprint time of 3.5 seconds. We remind you that in April, Nissan revealed the GT-R established a new lap time at the Nordschleife circuit in Germany with 7min and 26.7 seconds.

European and Asian Automakers to Build More Cars than Detroit's Big Three in N. America by 2012

According to a new study from financial advisory firm Grant Thornton LLP, European and Asian automakers will churn out more cars in North America than Detroit's 'Big Three' by 2012. The study expects that after the completion of the restructuring of the domestic auto industry, the combined capacity of General Motors, Chrysler Group LLC and Ford in North America will fall by more than 4 million units or a 35 percent reduction compared to 2008, for a total of 7.5 million units in 2012.

At the same time, all other foreign automakers combined are expected to increase their North American production by around 1.5 million a year or 20 percent, to more than 8 million units.

"A new order is emerging where the Detroit companies may no longer be the volume leaders in their home market," said Grant Thornton LLP Principal Kimberly Rodriguez, co-leader of the firm's global automotive practice.

Grant Thornton LLP reports that Volkswagen and BMW will nearly double their combined production, increasing their output capability to around 1 million units a year while Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai are projected to expand their combined production by 20 percent, or nearly 1 million units.

The study finds that the dramatic shift in production will have a large impact on North American parts suppliers that will need to secure more business from European and Asian makers.

"Suppliers largely dependent on Detroit OEMs will have to present a new value equation to potential customers from Europe and Asia if they want to participate in the accelerated shift that is coming," said Kimberly Rodriguez.

Source: Grant Thornton LLP

NISMO Nissan 370Z with 350HP Debuts in Japan

Shortly after the release of the NISMO 370Z in the USA, Nissan proceeded to the domestic launch of its factory-tuned Z car. The JDM NISMO 370Z features the same upgrades as its American counterpart including a modified version of the 3.7-liter V6 engine that churns out 350 horsepower compared to the standard car's 332HP. Only difference is that while the US-spec model is offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox, Japanese buyers may also opt for the 7-speed automatic transmission.

The NISMO package also ads 19-inch alloy wheels shod in 245/40 R19 tires up front and 275/35 R19 at the rear, stiffer suspension and a high-performance brake system.

The coupe's exterior styling is modified with a functional aero kit that includes an extended nose, unique rear fascia, large wing and specific side sills, while the interior is upgraded with a set of sport seats, special door trims and NISMO gauges plus contrasting red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gearbox knob and handbrake lever.

In Japan, Nissan has priced the NISMO 370Z at 4,935,00 Yen (about $51,400 US) for the 6-speed manual gearbox model and at 5,040,000 Yen (approx $52,500 US) for the automatic version.

Abflug Launches New Aero Kit for Nissan GT-R R35

Adding to the huge variety of performance and styling packages on offer for the Nissan GT-R, Japan's gracelessly named Abflug (unless there's a different meaning in the Japanese language) released a new aero kit for the R35 sports car. The complete package consists of a front lip spoiler, new side skirts, a rear apron housing the diffuser, all finished in black. There's also a carbon fiber rear wing and if we translated correctly, an optional set of new alloy wheels. Full gallery after the jump.

Classic Find: First-Generation 1970 Nissan Skyline GT-R Coupe S45

What looks to be a pristine (or fully restored) example of the modern day Nissan GT-R's granddaddy, a 1970 Skyline GT-R Coupe S45 with only 89,000 kilometers or a little over 55,000 miles on the odometer, is up for sale by a Japan-based dealer. There's no asking price on the seller's website but understandably, we reckon that a historic model like 1970 Skyline GT-R with such low mileage won't be offered for a low price.

The first Skyline GT-R was launched in Japan originally as a four door sedan in February 1969 (pictured here), followed shortly after by the coupe model you're all gawking at in the photo album below -no need to apologize, we did the same thing, ain't she a beauty?

Like its sedan counterpart, at the heart of the 1970 Skyline GT-R is Nissan's S20 2.0-liter straight-six DOHC 24-valve engine. It produces (or at least it did when it came out of the factory) a maximum output of 160PS at 7,000 rpm and a peak torque of 18.0 kgm or 130-lb/ft at 5,600 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox.

We don't have any official performance figures for the Coupe (maybe some of you Nissan fans can help us out here), but we did manage to find out that the 1969 Skyline GT-R Sedan with the same engine was capable of achieving a top speed of 200km/h or 125mph while it covered the first 400m from a standing start in 16.1 seconds (official data from Nissan).

Link: Wintel

2010 Nissan 370Z NISMO with 350HP Hits the Road at $39,850

The U.S.-market-only 370Z NISMO has arrived at Nissan showrooms across the country priced at $39,130 (including a $720 delivery and handling fee). That's compared to the base 332HP Nissan 370Z's MSRP of $29,930 (not including fees). The extra 10 grand will get you a tweaked version of the 3.7-liter V6 that delivers 18 additional horsepower for a total of 350HP and is linked to a close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox with SynchroRev Match, sport-tuned suspension, a functional aerodynamic bodykit, beefier sport brakes and 19-inch RAYS alloys shod in Yokohama high-performance tires.

Inside, highlights include the NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and red stitching, a NISMO tachometer, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with red parallel stitching, a leather-wrapped shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals plus a serialized plaque.

The only available extras on the 370Z NISMO's equipment list are the NISMO-badged carpeted floor mats ($115), illuminated kick plates ($200) and a carpeted trunk mat ($95). For more details and a full photo album of the Nissan 370Z NISMO, read our previous article here.