Long farewell for 350Z’s V6

The bad news first: Nissan is replacing the charismatic 3.5-litre V6 that powers the 350Z and Murano SUV.

Now here’s the good news: a replacement is already lined up, in both 2.5-litre and 3.5-litre forms, and the current engine will continue to be used for at least another two years.

The new engine goes on sale in certain Japanese-model Nissans later this year, before making its way into the US-market Infiniti G35 coupe (a four-seat version of the 350Z). Until the 350Z is replaced, however, it will continue to use the current powerplant.

That means that we won’t see the new engine in Britain until at least 2008, when Nissan’s upmarket Infiniti brand enters the UK market.