The world debut of Nissan's 2010 Nissan 370Z is little more than a month away at the L.A. auto show, and Nissan engineers appear to be doing some last-minute shakedown runs in Germany near the Nurburgring. While this 370Z prototype hasn't been seen on the 'Ring yet, it will probably be headed there soon.

The Nissan 370Z mule seen here, as has been previously reported, appears to be shorter in wheelbase over the outgoing Z. The car's decrease in size should help make the new 370Z lighter than the car it's replacing, which should mean performance and fuel efficiency of the new Z will be improved.

Nissan's latest VQ37VHR engine used by the current Infiniti G37 will power the new Z, with the engine massaged to make somewhere in the neighborhood of 330 hp. Expected transmissions include a close-ratio six-speed manual and all-new seven-speed automatic.

On the exterior, the 370Z retains the same general shape as the present car, with differences including a boomerang-style headlight treatment both front and rear similar to what's found on the new Nissan Maxima, reworked front and rear fascias, more aggressive fender flares, and a pronounced kink where the windscreen meets the roof.

Nissan officials recently cited the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT as the upcoming car's chief rivals, a tall order for the Nissan coupe. The 370Z reportedly will hit Japanese dealerships this December, with U.S. deliveries coming most likely by spring 2009.

Of course, we'll have the full story for you on the new 370Z during the Los Angeles show press days, which begin Nov. 19.