NISSAN - ROAD TEST
Nissan 370Z - Test Drive
The 350Z was a huge success story for Nissan with sales topping the 23,000 mark in Europe and more than 160,000 in the US. On 1 July the 370Z will arrive in dealer showrooms and it promises affordable performance, striking looks and Nissan reliability; it is shorter, wider and shares the same height as the outgoing 350Z and with design elements borrowed from the GT-R, its chunky wheel arches helps to give it a much stronger onroad presence.
STYLING
The new car adapts other Z styling cues such as the chunky aluminium door handles and the Z logo on the front wing, which now incorporates a side turn indicator.Other notable changes include the boomerang shape of the tail lights, the arrowhead head lights, while the air intake integrated in the aggressive nose treatment has been likened to a shark’s jaw.
At the rear, the fog-lamp is mounted in the middle of the lower part of the rear bumper, reminiscent of the positioning of the rear light on a Formula One car.
INTERIOR
One element of the 370Z that the designers were keen to improve was the interior; it is much more inviting, with the employment of quality materials.
The 370Z delivers a real sportscar environment and on comfort, seating has been improved, now more supportive. The 370Z continues the Z tradition of placing the driver at the centre of the action. The cockpit layout retains the three dials in the centre of the dashboard and angled directly at the driver, who is separated from the passenger by a sturdy full-length centre console.
Attention has been paid to quality improvements with better fit and finish and superior materials including soft touch plastics on the instrument panel and, depending on the grade, leather and suede on the seats and doors.
PERFORMANCE
Right at the heart of any sportscar is the engine and lurking under the sleek lines of the 370Z is a 3.7 litre V6 with 331PS. The engine has been tweaked for the newcomer. What a contrast from the 240Z, then badged Nissan, it produced a mere 150PS.
The 370Z power unit can deliver an 11% reduction in fuel economy and emissions. On this subject, the auto version has a figure of 247g/km, with the manual a little higher at 249g/km.
Allied to the engine is a choice of transmissions, a six speed manual or a seven speed automatic. The latter can be used as a full auto or by paddle shift.
We tried both a manual and an automatic version; the manual delivers a sportier feel, while the automatic gives the 370Z more the feel of a high speed cruiser.
With such power at the control of the right foot, stopping power is all important and the braking system has been uprated.
Two of the most driver-oriented pieces of equipment in are the new Stop/Start push button, mounted on the central stack and within easy reach of the steering wheel, and Synchro Rev Control, which is standard on higher grades.
Synchro Rev Control (SRC), the world’s first fully synchronised shift rev control system, allowing perfectly smooth up and down shifts every time and significantly quicker than even the most skilled driver could manage using the traditional heel and toe method.
Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) is a feature of the new seven-speed automatic transmission option. Worth noting European 350Zs were not available with automatic transmission, which delivers rapid downshifts and a matching blip of the throttle when used in manual mode. The new transmission also incorporates paddle shifters for ultimate control.
OWNERSHIP
Low emissions and better fuel economy both aid the cost of owning such a car, just one negative, sportscars cost more to insure; but then what price do you want to pay for driving enjoyment.
AT A GLANCE
| Name/Price: | Nissan 370Z/NA |
| Engine/power: | 3.7 litre V6/331PS |
| Co2 emissions: | 247g/km (Auto) 249g/km (manual) |
| Official Combined fuel economy: | 30mpg |
IMN VERDICT
An extremely well appointed sportscar, which delivers good performance; the automatic version tends to feel like a high speed cruiser; with the manual version delivering more of that true sportscar feel.
Ian Lynas