Demand for Nissan's 350Z has never been greater, but that hasn't stopped the firm from thinking about its next generation of sports cars. As well as preparing a facelifted 350Z Roadster for launch early next year, the company has revealed plans for its replacement, due in 2009.

The former, pictured in this week's mag, is mechanically identical to the current car, but will get new-look headlamps, LED tail-lights, a revised front bumper and increased specification for no extra cost.

But it's the latter news which will really excite enthusiasts. The new car will take the current 350Z and add a more involving chassis and punchier engine. Olivier Paturet, chief product specialist at Nissan, told Auto Express he wanted the next Z to be a more hardcore machine, targeted squarely at Porsche buyers.

"We've seen what Porsche is doing with the Cayman, and I would like our new car to have more power, less weight and be more driver-focused," he said. "There's certainly a market in Europe for such a machine - it's simply a matter of convincing our US and Japanese divisions that this is the way forward."

Nissan, responding to continuing customer concerns over irregular front tire wear issues with its 2003 and 2004 350Z models, has announced plans to further extend the front wheel alignment warranty extension for owners of affected vehicles.

In April of 2004, owners of 2003 350Z vehicles were first notified by Nissan that it would extend the warranties to cover an irregular tread wear pattern which was occurring on the inner edge of the front tires. Customers with 2004 350Z cars were not included at that time.

After monitoring the situation, Nissan believed it had corrected the problem with the majority of vehicles, but not all had been fixed to customer satisfaction and some 2004 350Z owners also began experiencing the same problem. After investigating the issue further, Nissan identified that, in addition to correcting the front-end alignment, a new tire with a slightly modified tread pattern, more resistant to “heel-toe” wear together with correct alignment, virtually eliminated the issue. Vehicles equipped with these tires have experienced virtually no incidents of tire noise.

Nissan is extending the warranty for front-end alignment due to tire noise until 36 months from the in-service date or October 31, 2005 (whichever is later) and unlimited mileage for 2003 350Z models, and to 36 months and unlimited mileage on 2004 350Z models. Nissan says the warranty extension ensures all owners will receive an effective repair, including in some circumstances replacement of their front tires with the new tire design, if they experience tire noise during the extended warranty period. Customer notifications are being sent out starting this week.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The 2006 Nissan 350Z made its first public appearance this week at the annual Z Club gathering. More than 500 Z owners are attending the event, which runs until August 19.

The 2006 model year marks the first time that changes have been made to the 350Z since its 2002 debut in the U.S. New features include a revised front end, enhanced interior, LED taillights and speed-sensitive power steering.

Among the other revisions for 2006 are a new Grand Touring Coupe model, featuring 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, Brembo brakes, front and rear spoiler and vehicle dynamic control. All six-speed manual transmission models now receive the 300-horsepower tuning of the Z's standard 3.5-liter DOHC V6. Models equipped with the five-speed automatic transmission are rated at 287 hp.

The 2006 350Z also includes standard bi-xenon headlights, added MP3 CD capability for the optional Bose audio system and three new exterior paint colors, including silver alloy and magnetic black.

Nissan is planning a Z sports coupe slotted above the current Nissan 350Z called the Nissan 450Z. The upgraded model will feature a 4.5 liter V8 engine which would likely be a tuned up version of the VK45DE from the Infiniti M45. The VK45DE makes 340hp currently, but Left Lane News reports the final product will feature 430hp. Of course, all that crazy power requires all-wheel drive, so that will be standard as well.

Nissan plans to pitch this new Nissan 450Z against the Porsche Carrera 911 and the Maserati 4.2.