Nissan 370Z

Inside the Nissan 370Z is an homage to vintage dashboard design with some modern twist. And by that we mean, Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges with multi-function drive computer at the instrument cluster and 3-bay gauge cluster perch at the center for oil temperature, voltmeter, and digital clock. And yes, the touchscreen infotainment system is obviously absent here since it does not come standard. You’d have to do with an audio system but it does come with a custom-engineered Bose premium audio surround sound that features 8 speakers with noise cancelation to reduce unwanted sounds. Connectivity too is very limited. Only auxiliary audio input jack and USB port are available. In contrast, plush seating and soft-touch materials abound in the cabin. Upholstery is a combination of outer leather and fabric seats. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob remove any sense of plasticky feel. The headroom measures 970 mm, shoulder room at 1,382 mm, and legroom at 1,090 mm. There is also ample trunk space to fit your weekend gear.

This sleek-looking coupe features a low hood and sloping roofline, an ode to the classic look of the Z car. At the front of the 370Z is a curvy bumper with a pair of creases that highlights the Nissan badge at the center. No Front grille for this car. The clean hood is accentuated by a couple of boomerang-shaped High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with smoked housing. On the lower bumper is a front chin aero deflector that makes the car look aggressive and at the same time provide less turbulence and more downward force. Now that’s ruggedness with a purpose. A pair of vertical LED Daytime Running Lights are found on either side of the air dam. The sides of the 370Z continuous the clean look with upswept rear quarter window and massive fender arches that balances the car. Z fender emblems, LED taillights, mid spoiler wing, and dual exhaust tips at the rear complete the sports car look. This Nissan coupe rides on a set of 19-inch forged alloy wheels by RAYS wrapped in high-performance tires. The 370Z measures 4,265 mm long, 1,845 mm wide, 1,315 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,550 mm.

The Nissan 370Z is designed to zip through the road. It can accelerate relatively fast and provides plenty of power. Cornering is easy with the low center of gravity, a balanced chassis from a 3-point front strut tower brace and rear underbody V-brace, and a short wheelbase ensures the car retains its firm grip on the pavement and remains very responsive even on sharp turns. Body rolls and comfort is not compromised either. The suspension systems utilize double-wishbone aluminum alloy with aluminum subframe at the front and multi-link aluminum alloy suspension coupled with front and rear stabilizer bars and sport-tuned shock absorbers ensure passengers get a cushioned, smooth ride. NVH levels remain low thanks to good insulation and soundproofing. The power-adjustable sports seats are plush and offer lumbar support so you get the utmost comfort.

The 370Z is equipped with a 3.7-liter, DOHC, 24-valve V6 engine that can deliver a staggering 332 hp of maximum power at 7,000 rpm, and 363 Nm of peak torque at 5,200 rpm. The VQ37 engine uses a 95 RON petrol engine and is mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev RevMatch or 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters. The power is then sent to the two rear wheels. In terms of fuel economy, this Nissan sports car clocks in 19 mpg or 8 kmpl for city driving and 26 mpg or 11 kmpl for highway cruising for a combined driving range of 22 mpg or about 9 kmpl for the automatic transmission. The Manual transmission model gives a less impressive performance at 17 mpg or a little over 7 kmpl for the city, the same 26 mpg for highway, and 20 mpg or 8.5 kmpl for combined city and highway driving. Fuel efficiency for this Z car is not that impressive but let’s face it, the massive size of the engine does make this car a gas guzzler. But sportscar enthusiasts do not generally look for a fuel-efficient car when purchasing these kinds of vehicles. Rather, the emphasis is on the performance and power of the engine.

For stopping power, this Nissan coupe is fitted with a combination of 4-piston 14-inch ventilated disc at the front and 2-piston 13.8-inch ventilated disc at the rear. The added braking feature includes 4 wheels anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD). Passive and active safety features for this sports car is very minimal and only includes Nissan’s Advanced Air Bag System which consists of dual-stage supplemental front airbags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, driver and passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags for occupants head protection. There is also an active head restraints and tire pressure monitoring system for added safety. For convenience and driver assistance technologies, this Nissan coupe comes with Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button ignition, cruise control, rearview monitor, and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with a traction control system (TCS).

If you are a newbie sportscar enthusiast or a diehard for the classic, you will find the Nissan 370Z appealing. This reasonably priced coupe is a no-nonsense car that focuses on looks and performance. Classic yet modern, it boasts of a contemporary streamlined exterior looks, luxurious cabin with a hint of old school charm, and has the necessary horsepower and framework to be called a sports car. It may not be as springy as other sportscars, say a Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro, or Dodge Challenger, but keep in mind that Nissan’s vision for this sportscar is to provide an affordable monster machine which will appeal to an international audience. And they delivered.