BY ALISA PRIDDLE

Does Nissan need a Miata fighter?

Nissan is trying to figure out if there is room in the market for an entry-level sports car that is smaller, more lightweight, and more affordable than the 350Z.

The Japanese automaker is interested in a front-wheel-drive sports car that could compete with the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Pontiac Solstice, and Saturn Sky, Nissan North America vice-president in charge of product planning and strategy Larry Dominique tells Car and Driver in an interview. (more…)

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BY ALISA PRIDDLE

A next-generation Quest for North America is likely, but the styling will be very different.

As Chrysler prepares to try to shake up the minivan segment with a new generation of its people-mover coming in September, and with Ford and General Motors exiting the market, Nissan is prepared to ante up for a few more hands. (more…)

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BY MARK GILLIES

Looks sportier than it drives.

Honda and Toyota have tended to offer coupes built off their bestselling Accord and Camry mid-size sedans, but Nissan has never produced such an Altima. (more…)

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An 80-percent-new engine adds six ponies while sipping less fuel.

The only exterior change to the 2007 350Z may be subtle”a new hood with a slight center bulge”but there are big changes under that hood. Power is increased to 306 horsepower, a modest six-hp bump for manual-transmission Zs and 19 for automatics, but Nissan claims that 80 percent of the Z’s prolific 3.5-liter VQ engine has been changed. (more…)

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