370Z Tuner

Perhaps the most appealing feature of the new Nissan 370Z is its styling. While at a quick glance it does look very close to its predecessor, it also brings in stying elements of the first and second generation Z's with its longer front end and shorter swooping fastback style trunk hatch. The new Z borrows elements from the flagship Nissan Maxima which also recieved a redesign last yer. Most noticeably youll see a new arrowhead type front headlight and rear tail light design, similar in shape to the 350z but with an arrow shaped notch giving each an updated look. The body lines of the 370Z looks as if a sculpter took the 350Z and subtly carved away any excess making the redesign true to the beloved parent yet sleeker and leaner. The look is analogous to an athelete in fit form, the horsepower and lower weight seem to manifest even in the body of the new model. The silver vertical door handles are retained and HID headlights are now standard on all models. The 370Z is offered in seven exterior colors: Pearl White, Monterey Blue, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red, Platinum Graphite and a launch-year only, premium signature color, Chicane Yellow (see photos below).

Pearl White:

Monterrey Blue

Brilliant Silver

Magnetic Black

Solid Red

Platinum Graphite

Chicane Yellow (signature color, only availible in 2009 models).

The interior of the 370Z is nothing short of a high tech and avant garde cockpit, snugly enveloping the driver in style. Just as the exterior does, the interior builds upon what was used and successful in the 350Z and carried forward. Unlike its sister car, the G37, the 370Z uses a more curvacious look and the new seats are somewhat remeniscent of a retro art deco style. The full length center console that was introduced in the 300ZX had continually evolved and still comfortably separates driver and passenger. The instrument panel is surrounded in a gorgeous 3 pod design and trimmed with aluminum, as are the voltmeter, oil temp and clock housed about the entertainment console. Aluminum trim also decorates various elements of the interior and matches well with the pedals, sparsely enough to create a gorgeous look without being too overbearing. The steering wheel uses a trispoke design that incorporates user controls on each side and a leather stitching reminiscent of the first generation Audi TT. The interior uses a black cloth on base models while touring models offer a selection of 3 leather colors. The entertainment console on the Touring model features a navigation system, in house 9 gig hard drive for storing music and a new Ipod interface. Further keeping up with the trends the 370Z features an Intelligent key system similar to the one introducted a few years back on the IS350.

Nissan 370Z Interior Photo:

To put it simply, Nissan has taken an artistic approach and taken an already potent package in the 350Z and sculpted down nearly every component and piece on the car resulting in a leaner and meaner Z. The new model makes use of a shorter wheel base which pares down nearly 4 inches off of the 350Z. While shorter end to end and slightly lower to the ground, the width of the vehicle is increased which allows the Z a lower gravity base and enhances the vehicles handling.  You may notice the 370Z has a more curvaceous body which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also keeps its aerodynamic properties. To achieve a lighter weight on the new Z, extensive aluminum is used in the vehicles door panels, hood and trunk while carbon fiber composites are used in the radiator housing. Paying close attention to the details, Nissan also dropped weight in unsuspection places such as the exhaust, fuel tank and engine. The new 370Z accomplishes a weight reduction of nearly 225 lbs over the 350Z.

While creating a leaner and lighter Z, Nissan engineers made a priority of making the car more rigid for better handling on the track and the road. Under the rear trunk lid you will noticed the signature strut brace of the 350Z has been moved forward in the 370Z which creates additional room in the rear for luggage. Additionally and under body "V" brace, a front suspension cradle and new rear braces help to give the vehicle a 30% increase in rigitity in the front and a 22% increase in the rear.

At the heart of the Nissan 370Z is a 332BHP 3.7 liter V6 engine borrowed from last years G37 coupe, also known as the VQ37HR. Peak horsepower kicks in at 7000RPMs and creates a generous 270 ft-lbs of torque. An increase of  32 ponies gives the vehicle over a 10% horsepower upgrade on a lighter, stronger and more agile package. As with the previous model, torque comes into play in the lower RPM range and pulls strongly through the powerband up to its 7500RPM redline. The new engine proudly presents a smooth rev due to Nissan's Continuously Variable Valve Event and Lift Control System (VVEL)which controls the vehicles timing and lift in altering patterns for increased efficiency. Nissan engineers used the positioning of the engine to lower the 370Z center of gravity by dropping it 0.6" in the bay.

Nissan 370Z Engine Bay:

The most unique engineering feature of the new 370Z is its 6 speed manual transmission which has been taken from the previous model and given a unique new feature called Synchro Rev Matching. This innovative new system rids the driver of the traditional "heel/toe" style of downshifting and replaces it with an automatic rev match. When slowing down instead of having to raise the RPMs during clutching, simply clutch and downshift and the transition is seamless and automatic. During downshifting, the new Z anticipates the clutch movement and blips the throttle enough to even out the shift and preventing the clutch release lurch that often happens on a typical manual transmission. Alternately the 370Z will come with a 7 speed automatic transmission. Performance wise the new Z shaves nearly 1/2 second off of the 350Z in a 0-60mph run, bringing the new total to 5.0 seconds.

The 370Z is poised to be yet another hot seller in the Japanese market as it is currently the only 2 door track relevent sports car availible. At a starting price of $29,995, this potent package covers a wide range of car enthusiasts and puts this vehicle in performance contention with much more expensive competition such as the Porsche Cayman. Nissan has managed to keep the price of the 370Z at the same level as the 350Z which was released 7 years earlier. In this time of high inflation and gas prices, a car that out performs and improves upon its predecessor at such a level is nothing short of an extreme value. Take in consideration that the 350Z was a highly successful vehicle with over a quarter million sold globally, it is certain that the 370Z will continue the lines heretige of combining style, value, performance and reliability.