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  • Nissan Releases Special Edition 40th Anniversary 370Z

    Nissan Releases Special Edition 40th Anniversary 370Z October 15th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, October 15th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Nissan Releases Special Edition 40th Anniversary 370Z

    The original Z was sold in October 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and was also exported to the U.S. as the Datsun 240Z that same year. Since this year Nissan has been building and selling the newest Z, the 370Z, which is now the 40th year for the Z line of sport coupes and convertibles.

    The Z car has been an overwhelming success for Nissan, with more than 1,685,000 models in five different generations being sold over that time.

    Nissan is now celebrating the 40th anniversary milestone with the launch of a special edition 370Z Coupe that goes on sale next spring (the first Datsun 240Z actually went on sale in the U.S. on October 22...

    The original Z was sold in October 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and was also exported to the U.S. as the Datsun 240Z that same year. Since this year Nissan has been building and selling the newest Z, the 370Z, which is now the 40th year for the Z line of sport coupes and convertibles. The Z car has been an overwhelming success for Nissan, with more than 1,685,000 models in five different generations being sold over that time. Nissan is now celebrating the 40th anniversary milestone with the launch of a special edition 370Z Coupe that goes on sale next spring (the first Datsun 240Z actually went on sale in the U.S. on October 22 1969). The special edition model is based on the Touring spec of the regular 370Z and comes with a six-speed manual transmission and Nissan’s nifty Synchro-Rev automatic rev-matching function. The car also gets a limited-slip differential, bigger brakes than the regular model and 19-inch Rays forged wheels. Special touches include red leather trim, red stitching throughout the cabin and a number of commemorative plaques. Finally, the car’s exterior is also finished in a unique "40th Quartz" paint scheme. Pricing will be revealed closer to its arrival at dealerships across the country next spring. [Nissan] Read More

  • First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

    First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster September 14th, 2009 By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive Editor, September 14th, 2009 Marty Padgett 0 Comments

    First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

    Call it open for business.

    Actually, you should call it the 370Z Roadster, that is, because a) it no longer has a roof and, b) the word "Convertible" has been spoken for by the similarly zoomy roofless Infiniti G37. The two are distinctly different in look and feel, even if performance is almost the same--thrilling.

    In this case, the overall package is so sharp, Nissan folks are openly comparing the new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster to the Porsche Boxster, a comparison that holds interesting weight once you drive it in and around the winding hills looking over Silicon Valley.

    What's not to love about the newest iteration of the 370Z? Not much,...

    Call it open for business. Actually, you should call it the 370Z Roadster, that is, because a) it no longer has a roof and, b) the word "Convertible" has been spoken for by the similarly zoomy roofless Infiniti G37. The two are distinctly different in look and feel, even if performance is almost the same--thrilling. In this case, the overall package is so sharp, Nissan folks are openly comparing the new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster to the Porsche Boxster, a comparison that holds interesting weight once you drive it in and around the winding hills looking over Silicon Valley. What's not to love about the newest iteration of the 370Z? Not much, as we found out cruising the shaded switchbacks about five miles from High Gear Media's vast headquarters at the very nerve center of venture-capital-land. More so than the squatter 350Z, maybe even more so than the classic and beloved 300ZX twin-turbo, the 370Z Roadster and coupe are the kinds of sportscars you can cheat on Porsches with, and not feel the twinge of guilt as you leave it for your daily driver. Nissan 370Z: One rocking ride Motor Authority's first impression of the 370Z Roadster? More of the same as with the coupe. The new body ushered in for 2009 on the coupe just rocks, and with the top removed, it shows off some sculpted haunches and those witty arrow-shaped taillamps even better than in the roofed car. The four inches Nissan removed from the car's wheelbase in migrating from 350Z to 370Z gives it a more sportscar-like, more authentic proportion. There's even a little hint of the earthshaking Nissan GT-R at the junction of the roof and windshield. More than anything, we decided as we scoped out photography, the 370Z passably resembles the new BMW Z4--which can top out at $60,000 if you're not careful. A pair of humps are formed into the tonneau that hides the top, for more speedster flair. And like it did with the body panels, Nissan trimmed out the interior of this new Z far better than the past edition. The gauges move with the tilt steering wheel, the materials look better, the shapes are simpler, and there's enough jazz in the metallic rings on gauges, climate controls and ancillary meters to elicit the approval of parking-lot gawkers. The shortened body did have an ulterior motive: making the 370Z a far better handling and riding sportscar than before. It's not too much of an exaggeration that it's the best-performing Z ever, since the original ran on skinny tires and a four-cylinder engine, and since the 300ZX twin-turbo felt as heavy as it looked. The engine is a familiar one, the 3.7-liter V-6 that graces almost every Nissan worth reviewing here on Motor Authority. Here it turns out 332 horsepower and hits a high 7500-rpm redline, but offers plenty of torque at lower revs. While Nissan quotes 0-60 mph times of less than 5 seconds, some of the buff-book magazines (who reads magazines anymore?) have dropped below the 5-second mark in accel runs. With either the six-speed manual or the seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic, the 370Z is rare to miss a shift. Oddly enough, we preferred the automatic to the manual, with an explanation. The six-speed manual's everything you'd expect and a sweet complementary piece to the rear-drive Z's suspension, plus its rev-matching software ensures you won't graunch gears in quick shifts. But the paddle-shifted automatic enhances the Japanese feel, like the Mitsu Evo's paddle shifters do, and turns the experience to the videogame feel that keeps your attention to steering instead of shifting. The Roadster changes almost nothing from the Coupe in terms of suspension (independent all around) and ride quality. We've driven the 370Z Roadster and Coupe on the road and on the track, and in general, the shorter wheelbase and wider track have improved the Z's dynamics. It's big fun to toss around, and on most road surfaces, it rides much more calmly than in the last edition. At very high speeds (go-directly-to-jail velocities) the tires tend to hunt the subtle grooves of the road, requiring plenty of attention to keep the 370Z on course. Absent those conditions, the Z's steering takes a perfect set, it flexes the right kind of driving muscles, and it's not so far from the Porsche Boxster mindset as you might think. Nissan 370Z: Let the quibbles begin It's difficult to fault the 370Z for much. Generally, we can observe that a whole class of two-seat convertibles and coupes have turned on performance afterburners this year. The 2010 Mustang's in its finest form ever, and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe's not far off that mark. The 370Z may top them all for its energetic performance and the tightness of its convertible body. Like those coupes and even like the Porsche Boxster, the concessions for fun are noticeable. The cockpit's adequate, maybe more roomy than all but the Mustang, and the seats (particularly on Touring cars with ventilated leather seats) are fine for long rides. Trunk room is small, though, and interior storage is minimal. Big cupholders are a gesture at convenience, but the gaping hole left if you don't order a navigation system isn't as useful as it might seem. There's no back seat to store luggage, only a slim compartment for laptops and such behind the seats. The trunk might hold a single set of golf clubs, if you can still afford tee time, but that's it. The biggest objection we can find to the 370Z's road feel is with road noise. On some road surfaces, the combination of tire and drivetrain noise is far too loud, even for a sportscar. It's almost unacceptable for a modern car and could be muted fairly easily, and should be. Step up to the 2010 Nissan 370Z and you'll have a few choices to make. Coupe or convertible, two trim levels are offered--standard and Touring. (The special NISMO tuner edition has 350 hp and tighter tuning, but we're saving that for a future date with track time involved.) Cruise control, power windows, and Nissan's Intelligent Key keyless entry/start are standard on all. Coupes offer a Sport package with great-looking 19-inch wheels and a Navigation package that adds a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive with an iPod interface. Nissan 370Z Roadsters have a fast-folding fabric roof that takes about 20 seconds to stow or raise, via a power button on the console or on the doors; they also include standard Bluetooth, XM satellite radio with real-time traffic, power leather seats with ventilation, and high-intensity discharge headlamps. Roadster Touring models can be equipped with the snazzy 19-inch wheels; sport brakes; a limited-slip differential; and a navigation system with the Music Box hard drive and USB connectivity. For a base price of about $30,000 for the six-speed manual Coupe, up to $42,000 for the Touring Convertible, the newest 370Z raises an important question for agnostic sportscar shoppers. Is its superior acceleration enough to call it a worthy Porsche Boxster competitor? For thousands of you with thousands of dollars to save, the answer could be yes. And we won't snicker when you tell everyone, either. Motor Authority says: A great performance car that starts just under $30,000, the 2010 Nissan 370Z comes close enough to Porsche performance to make you wonder. Get more 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster photos, specifications and information, and see the full review on TheCarConnection.com's 2010 Nissan 370Z page--along with a comparison that pits the Nissan 370Z vs. Porsche Boxster. Read More

  • Nissan investigating use of turbos in mainstream models

    Nissan investigating use of turbos in mainstream models August 3rd, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, August 3rd, 2009 James Martinez 4 Comments

    Nissan investigating use of turbos in mainstream models Back in the glory days of affordable Japanese sports cars, such as the Toyota Supra, the Mazda RX-7 and the Nissan 300ZX, turbocharging was the norm for achieving high horsepower figures while keeping prices low - and while Toyota and Mazda may not be considering bringing back turbocharged sports cars for the time being, Nissan is toying with the idea of bringing back the infamous turbo Z car.

    While the mighty Nissan 300ZX was given not just one, but twin-turbos, the much more recent 350Z and 370Z models have had to make do with natural aspiration in Nissan's VQ line of engines to provide their grunt. The current GT-R uses twin-turbo... Back in the glory days of affordable Japanese sports cars, such as the Toyota Supra, the Mazda RX-7 and the Nissan 300ZX, turbocharging was the norm for achieving high horsepower figures while keeping prices low - and while Toyota and Mazda may not be considering bringing back turbocharged sports cars for the time being, Nissan is toying with the idea of bringing back the infamous turbo Z car. While the mighty Nissan 300ZX was given not just one, but twin-turbos, the much more recent 350Z and 370Z models have had to make do with natural aspiration in Nissan's VQ line of engines to provide their grunt. The current GT-R uses twin-turbo technology, but making a high-volume turbo Z may be the next step in Nissan's future sports cars, Nissan powertrain manager Tetsuya Takahashi revealed to MotorTrend. Currently, Takahashi and his department are researching the idea of turbocharging engines for Nissan’s next-generation of vehicles in order to reduce fuel consumption but maintain power. Automakers have embraced forced induction technology recently as the quest to make cars more efficient, and less fuel-thirsty, drags on. The advantages are obvious - small displacement engines with forced induction systems often maintain the same power as their larger displacement siblings without the associated gains in fuel consumption, a practice that we've seen companies such as BMW embrace recently with its twin-turbocharged six-cylinder, V8 and V12 gasoline engines. According to Takahashi, the plan also has approval from Nissan's partner Renault but could face snags in the emissions department. Emissions are part of the reason why other automakers are avoiding the turbocharging route, but Nissan will keep studying the possibility of bringing more turbo engines into its lineup Read More

  • Nissan prices 370Z Roadster from $36,970

    Nissan prices 370Z Roadster from $36,970 July 13th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, July 13th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Nissan prices 370Z Roadster from $36,970 The 350Z Roadster caught a lot of flack for its awkward top-up proportions, and while the new 370Z Roadster has the top-down look nailed, the lack of official top-up shots has us worried it too will fall prey to poor design. Whatever the aesthetics, however, pricing is a known quantity, and it starts at $36,970.

    That's a hefty premium over the $29,930 coupe, though the Roadster is likely to benefit from a more luxurious and less sport-focused options package that could help explain some of the value difference. Stepping up to the automatic seven-speed transmission will cost $38,270.

    If you're so inclined, however, you can spend even more... The 350Z Roadster caught a lot of flack for its awkward top-up proportions, and while the new 370Z Roadster has the top-down look nailed, the lack of official top-up shots has us worried it too will fall prey to poor design. Whatever the aesthetics, however, pricing is a known quantity, and it starts at $36,970. That's a hefty premium over the $29,930 coupe, though the Roadster is likely to benefit from a more luxurious and less sport-focused options package that could help explain some of the value difference. Stepping up to the automatic seven-speed transmission will cost $38,270. If you're so inclined, however, you can spend even more on your Z Roadster: the Touring trim versions start at $40,520 and $41,820 for the manual and automatic versions, respectively. The value proposition offered by the new car, even with another 26hp and better emissions from its new 3.7L engine compared to the 2009 350Z Roadster, is questionable at best - the 350hp Nismo 370Z is just $1,170 more. Of course, the 370Z Roadster is just $100 more expensive than the 350Z Roadster was in its final iteration, perhaps sweetening the value equation for those with a more historical eye. Still, that leaves the Roadster targeted at the buyer that's less concerned with performance than with style, and its pricing leaves it in competition with the lower rungs of the Z4 roadster and Mercedes-Benz's SLK-Class - cars with brand names and luxury pedigrees that far outstrip the Japanese carmaker's reach. Combined with the somewhat awkward late-summer timing, it will be interesting to see how sales of the Roadster take off.2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Read More

  • Cobra N+ develops factory-backed parts for Nissan’s 370Z

    Cobra N+ develops factory-backed parts for Nissan’s 370Z July 12th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 12th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 0 Comments

    Cobra N+ develops factory-backed parts for Nissan’s 370Z Nissan’s new 370Z is shaping up to the be the next big tuner special, with one of the first aftermarket firms, Cobra N+, revealing its new kit for the stylish coupe today. With a punchy 3.7-liter V6 up front, a quick-shifting 6-speed with Nissan’s innovative Synchromesh feature and a taught RWD chassis, the 370Z coupe is an ideal platform for tuning firms and Cobra N+’s new kit shows just the beginning of some very exciting mods for the car.

    The company has put together all of its parts for the new coupe to form the 370Z Sport Concept, and although no major modifications were made to the engine, Cobra N+ says its... Nissan’s new 370Z is shaping up to the be the next big tuner special, with one of the first aftermarket firms, Cobra N+, revealing its new kit for the stylish coupe today. With a punchy 3.7-liter V6 up front, a quick-shifting 6-speed with Nissan’s innovative Synchromesh feature and a taught RWD chassis, the 370Z coupe is an ideal platform for tuning firms and Cobra N+’s new kit shows just the beginning of some very exciting mods for the car. The company has put together all of its parts for the new coupe to form the 370Z Sport Concept, and although no major modifications were made to the engine, Cobra N+ says its aerodynamic and handling enhancements make all the difference. To reduce unsprung weight, engineers have developed lightweight wheels measuring 19in and shod with Pirelli rubber. The wheels are linked to stiffer-than-stock springs which lower the ride of the 370Z by 30 mm. An additional coilover suspension kit varies the ride height between 20 and 40mm on front and rear axle. Other parts include a new carbon-fiber front bumper insert, a new rear diffuser insert surrounding the exhaust pipes, and a high-flow muffler. For the interior, customers will be able to order special carbon-fiber-look scuff plates. The new performance parts will be offered through Nissan dealers in Japan only for now, and pricing is yet to be revealed.Cobra N+ modified Nissan 370Z Read More

  • Nissan opens official shop at the Nurburgring

    Nissan opens official shop at the Nurburgring July 10th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, July 10th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 0 Comments

    Nissan opens official shop at the Nurburgring Nissan's 370Z has turned heads and changed minds when it comes the future of the Z-car, and to help push the company's sporting reputation even further, Nissan has opened a shop featuring the car alongside the already proven GT-R at the infamous Nurburgring.

    Though it's known around the world as the Green Hell, it's been Nissan's personal hell of late as it tousles with Porsche over the GT-R's claimed lap time of 7:26.7 minutes around the 12.9mi Nordschleife, or North Loop.

    The shop itself features unique merchandise from Nissan and its NISMO motorsports division in the 5,381 square foot space, officially titled the Nissan Sportscars Shop... Nissan's 370Z has turned heads and changed minds when it comes the future of the Z-car, and to help push the company's sporting reputation even further, Nissan has opened a shop featuring the car alongside the already proven GT-R at the infamous Nurburgring. Though it's known around the world as the Green Hell, it's been Nissan's personal hell of late as it tousles with Porsche over the GT-R's claimed lap time of 7:26.7 minutes around the 12.9mi Nordschleife, or North Loop. The shop itself features unique merchandise from Nissan and its NISMO motorsports division in the 5,381 square foot space, officially titled the Nissan Sportscars Shop on the new Ring Boulevard. One of the cars on display in the shop is the new 80-car limited-production Nurburgring Edition 370Z, painted a bright yellow with a special graphics treatment. The GT-R SpecV is also on display, and is so far the only place Europeans can see the car in person. Visitors to the Sportscar Shop can also purchase high-quality Nissan merchandise and its motor sports department NISMO, including rare items imported from Japan as well as scale models of cars. The Nissan Sportscars Shop is also slated to take on a more central role in many of the company’s marketing and sales activities. At the end of October 2009, for example, the company has planned an entire week full of action. The schedule includes a drift event at the Nürburgring, track days with the Nissan GT-R on the Nordschleife and a “tour of the senses”, a journey through the picturesque Eifel countryside surrounding the racetrack.Nissan Sportscars Shop at the Ring Read More

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