Nissan has released the first official images of its 2009 370Z Coupe, and in a twist is using the popular video game Need For Speed to debut the car before it hits showrooms.

Set to make its world debut at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, the all-new 370Z is the evolution of the popular 350Z  introduced in 2003. The new car is slated to go on sale in 2009 as a 2009 model.

Aside from a drastically improved interior, the biggest news appears to be under the hood, where Nissan has installed its 3.7-litre VQ engine found in the Infiniti G37, which produces 330 horsepower and 270 lb. ft of torque.

The engine in the Z is suspected of getting a boost to 350 horsepower, however, and some have speculated a manual-automatic dual clutch gearbox will be available in addition to a six-speed manual.

The new car also sees some design characteristics taken from Nissan's supercar, the GT-R. The new Z reveals flared wheel arches, better rear quarter panels, fierce-looking headlamps and LED daytime running lights.

The new 370Z rides will ride on a shorter wheelbase than the outgoing model and, like its predecessor, will still come with two seats and rear wheel drive.

Nissan expects the car to compete with the Porsche Cayman S and BMW's Z4M Coupe.

Nissan also issued this press release:

ALL-NEW 2009 NISSAN Z MAKES ITS WORLD DEBUT IN EA'S NEED FOR SPEED UNDERCOVER
 
Get Behind the Wheel of the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z Eight Weeks Before the Car Hits Dealerships
 
EA and Nissan shift into high-gear this holiday! The Need for Speed series continues the tradition of featuring the most desirable cars as Black Box, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. and Nissan today revealed the highly-anticipated all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z. This marks the first time an auto manufacturer has partnered with a videogame company for the world premiere reveal of a car. The Nissan Z will be available exclusively in this holiday's hottest action driving title, Need for SpeedT Undercover, available in North America on November 18 and in Europe on November 21. 
 
"For the past 15 years, Need for Speed has helped define contemporary automotive culture by bridging the gap between gamers and the world's hottest cars.  As such, we are very excited to partner with one of the automotive powerhouses today to exclusively reveal the all-new Nissan Z," said Keith Munro, vice president of Marketing at Electronic Arts. "Need for Speed is about style, fast-paced action and power; this is definitely a car made for Need for Speed fans. Come November, they'll be able to test drive the all-new 370Z in the game before the car is released on the market."
 
"Our relationship with EA has been instrumental in bringing the Nissan brand to a passionate and unique audience," says Christian Meunier, vice president, Nissan Marketing.  "By launching the all-new 2009 Nissan Z first through Need for Speed: Undercover, we also gain the spirit and energy that EA gamers experience so strongly. Together with EA, we have truly integrated the all-new 370Z in the overall game experience in a meaningful, multi-layered and profound way."  
 
With the signature boomerang headlights and taillights to the enhanced powertrain, Need for Speed Undercover designers worked closely with Nissan to accurately replicate the overall look, feel and performance of the all-new Nissan Z. From the game's opening moment, players will be thrust right into the action with gamers whipping the 370Z in-and-out of traffic at high speed.
 
The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z is a super evolution of the iconic Nissan Z, building on the strengths of its predecessor, finding the sports car "sweet spot" in performance, style, and value. The 2009 Nissan Z marks the first full redesign of the Nissan Z since its reintroduction as a 2003 model.    
 
The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z Coupe will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19, hitting dealerships in early 2009. 
 
Need for Speed Undercover takes players back to the franchise's roots and re-introduces break-neck cop chases and spectacular highway battles. Players discover a world of high-stakes and high-speed action in some of the world's hottest cars. The all-new Heroic Driving Engine propels the action forward as players experience the dramatic story through spectacular Hollywood-style live-action in-game movies.
 
Need for Speed Undercover is being developed by Black Box in Vancouver, B.C.  The game will be available for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and Wii as well as the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS, PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld entertainment system, PC and mobile.

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