Nissan reveals new sportscar

You're looking at the first official pictures of the new Nissan 370Z, due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show next month.

It's still unmistakably a Z car, but the newcomer has more than a hint of Nissan's monster GT-R in the styling. Check out the sloping roofline, flared rear arches and angular side glass - they all smack of the 370's bigger brother.

You'll also notice the subtle name change; the 370Z will be powered by the 3.7-litre V6 engine found in the Infiniti G37 - the coupé from Nissan's Lexus-rivalling luxury brand bound for the UK next year.

The interior has been given a complete makeover too, with much improved quality following widespread criticism of the outgoing car's cheap plastics. The trio of dash-mounted dials give the 370Z a sporty, driver focused edge, and even in these pictures quality looks drastically better.

The rear-wheel drive coupé will cost from around £28,000 when it hits showrooms early next year.

Mark Nichol