Northbay Nissan

Nissan 370Z



 

Nissan 370 Z - a sports car that's easy on the budget

- Arv Voss. Friday, February 6, 2009 (SF Chronicle)

Nissan has continued improving upon the sports car as we know it, since introducing the first Z car in 1972, when the company was known as Datsun.

That was the Datsun 240Z. The Japanese automaker has managed to produce vehicles that progressively evolve on all levels from that first Z to today's all-new Nissan 370Z Coupe.

The new 370Z bows in coupe form only, in two models: the 370Z and the 370Z Touring. The source of power for both models is a 3.7-liter V6 engine that makes 332 horsepower at 7000 rpm (26 horses more than its predecessor), while generating 270 pound-feet of torque at 5200 rpm. It is essentially the same engine that powers the luxury division's Infiniti G37, except for exhaust. There are two transmissions available: a six-speed manual that features the world's first SynchroRev Matching, which automatically blips the throttle on downshifts without applying the "heel and toe" principle, or a new seven-speed with adaptive shift control, steering column-mounted paddle shifters and manual mode. All 370Zs are rear-wheel drive.

Though the 370Z is all new, it is still instantly recognizable as a Nissan Z car. The nose seems to have borrowed styling cues from Nissan's GT-R supercar including the cantilevered roof. The projector-beam headlights and the taillights share the same design, referred to as "boomerang." The two-seat coupe's side windows are frameless, aiding in both entry and exit.

Seats are sculpted and highly supportive, with excellent adjustability for maximum driver comfort. The steering column and instrument pod move as one, tilting up and down, and a group of informational gauges are positioned atop the dash and angled toward the driver for easy visibility.

My test 370Z Coupe was a pre-production unit in base trim with the new seven-speed automatic. The exterior was finished in a gun-metal gray metallic with a complementing two-tone (charcoal and gray) cloth interior.

The production car's base price will be set at $31,230. The final sticker without options would be $31,925. A fully loaded 370Z still manages to come in at less than the $40,000 mark.

 

Summary

The press launch of the 2009 Nissan 370Z was held in Las Vegas, including both urban and suburban driving scenarios as well as stint at a country club track just outside the city - Springhill Motorsports Park. The challenging road course provided the opportunity to experience both manual and automatic transmission-equipped 370Zs without the usual risks posed by civilian traffic or law enforcement.

Drivers could run the course at individual comfort-level speeds with the Vehicle Dynamic Control either on or off. Obviously, turning off the VDC increased the fun factor. The new Rev-matching was perhaps the most impressive new feature to be experienced.

Acceleration is most satisfying for a normally-aspirated car, handling is superb and braking is spot on. The car is well balanced and seems to relish being tossed about.

The 2009 370Z is the first full redesign of the iconic Z car since its reintroduction as a 2003 model. The design team managed to remain true to Nissan's "Z" DNA while completely re-engineering the car. It is a delight to drive in either of its trim levels, with either transmission. The 370Z is a sports car to aspire to for the budget conscious.

2009 Nissan 370 Z

Base price: $31,230

Price as tested: $31,925

Engine/transmission: 3.7-liter, 332-horsepower V6; even-speed automatic

Wheelbase: 100.4 inches

Length: 167.1 inches

Width: 72.6 inches

Height: 51.8 inches

Curb weight: 3,269 pounds

Fuel capacity: 19 gallons

Fuel consumption: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The original article can be found on SFGate.

Copyright 2009 SF Chronicle