Melbourne show: Nissan gets sexy

NISSAN’S Melbourne motor show stand has no shortage of sex appeal, with the first appearance of the Nissan 370Z sportscar in Australian specification alongside the long-awaited GT-R supercar.

Also making its Australian debut will be the fifth-generation Maxima, which goes on sale from June 1 and will include a new entry-level model powered by a 2.5-litre V6 engine that will be priced from $33,990 – $1000 less than the current entry price for the 3.5-litre model.

The new 370Z – the first full redesign since the Z was reintroduced in 2003 – will go on sale in Australia in May or June and will be priced from $67,990 for the six-speed manual ($4000 more than the current base model 350Z but $1000 less than the Track version, and now with Sat Nav) and $70,990 for the new seven-speed automatic version ($5000 more than the cheapest 350Z auto).

Left: GT-R, and below Maxima.

As well as the new seven-speed auto, the 245kW/363Nm 3.7-litre V6-engined 370Z boasts a world-first synchronised rev control system for the six-speed manual, which blips the throttle for upshifts and downshifts.

Melbourne GT-R enthusiasts will get their first look at the four-wheel drive supercoupe, which officially goes on sale from April 1 at $155,800, and the new Murano will also feature, one month after being launched in Australia.

Nissan Australia hopes the more economical 2.5-litre version of the Maxima will attract buyers of four-cylinder mid-size cars and say it will be equipped with leather upholstery, electric front seats, dual-zone climate control, Xenon headlights, 6-stack CD player, 17-inch alloys, keyless ignition, six airbags, ABS and ESC.

Read more:

First Oz drive: Nissan GT-R races in

LA show: New Nissan Z wows California crowd

First official look: Nissan lays its next Z bare

First drive: Nissan delivers Maxima thrust