370z gets reviewed by Auto i magazine

1. gnition | Nissan 370Z Roadster
62. Auto | May 2010
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2. Fancy a Porsche Cayman slayer ?
The comparison between Nissan and Porsche seems to be heating up with each passing
Nissan performance car.
The most talked about has to be between the Nissan GT-R and Porsche’s darling 911, but before Godzilla was reincarnated, the Fair-
lady was tempting the aspirations of some away from Porsche. If you are still undecided, perhaps I can point you the way.
The original Z was released in October 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and was exported as the Datsun 240Z to the American
market. The first two generations (240Z/260Z/280Z and 280ZX) of the Z-cars were powered by a straight six with a displacement of 2.4 L in the
first incarnation, and increasing to 2.6 L in the 260Z and 280Z and 2.8 L in the ZX. Since 2009, Nissan has manufactured the newest Z, the 370Z.
It has the winning formula of eye-catching looks, reliability, performance, and affordability. Advancement in technology and ever-stringent emission
controls dictates that a 3.7litre V6 engine now powers the 370Z.
The Z faces a tough job, because of its history and opposition that runs as tough as the Porsches and domestic competitors, but also
because it resides beside the Godzilla. Comparisons with the GT-R are inevitable. To be honest, I prefer the drive of a Z to the Godzilla. In fact, I
have some adjectives to describe the new Z: lighter, faster, stiffer, greener and meaner.
The 370Z looks sharper compared to her predecessor the 350Z, like the exterior, the interior sees a significant upgrade with better
materials and construction all around. Ergonomically placed controls make work behind the wheel an ease and finding the right driving position
is a breeze. The seats are great with adequate support, aft and fore movements are electronic and the seat height offers just enough adjustment
range for my 1.73 metre frame to settle in without brushing the fabric roof. My fingers grasped around the chunky leather wrapped steering wheel
with confidence and there is better space for knick-knacks and ample luggage in the boot. There is even an instructional sticker on the boot hatch
to show you how to fit in a golf bag.
I also like the fact that the main gauges hood moves with
the tilt steering column ensuring that you have complete visibility of
the readings. Little niggles do manifest after sometime with the car;
materials feel solid but not particularly appealing, and the three gauge
pod sitting proudly on the centre of the dash (oil temp, voltage, clock)
does inject some sportiness to the car, but like the instrument gauges,
they look a little low rent. I found the instrument layout a little busy, with
the giant tachometer dead ahead and the speedometer is too small
and too difficult to see. In fact, I also question the inclusion of a fuel
economy meter on a sports car. It flickers at you in the face telling you
how heavy footed you are. As green and anti-carbon as I can be, I still
want to enjoy driving my sports car. Nissan should change it to some-
thing that shows me how much horsepower I am putting down onto
the tarmac.
Text ▪ Photograph : Philip Ng ▪ Sue Ann
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3. gnition | Nissan 370Z Roadster
64. Auto | May 2010
4pp-370z roadster.indd 64 4/26/2010 1:09:45 PM

4. Starting the car however, is another preposition. Once you are behind the wheel, it is a familiar place with the creamy V6 engine sound heard and
felt. The test car is an automatic and comes with paddles on the steering column and manual shifting option to create a set of ‘gears’ for spirited driving. The
gearbox offers a good spread of ratios for sprightly acceleration, while driving pedal to metal in D, the tranny only up-shifts when it hits the redline. The V6 is the
same engine as the one in the 350Z albeit stroked up to 3.7liters. The power band is more usable with ample torque at lower rev ranges. Past 5,000 rpm, the
car comes alive and surges forward. The wail of the engine is an absolute aural pleasure and is full of character, with the tone varying over the rev range, and
with no hesitation this engine is a joy to use and abuse. First on the modifications list for me on this car would definitely be a freer flowing exhaust and maybe
an open pod intake to crank up the volume of the induction and exhaust roar of this car.
On the road, I really liked the way the 370Z drove. The ride from the new suspension was compliant despite its sporty aspiration. Wearing 245/40
(front) and 275/35 (rear) profile 19 inch tyres, grip was immerse and surefooted. The brakes are excellent, four piston calliper (front) and two piston calliper (rear)
bites down on huge ventilated discs ensuring excellent speed retardation. However, at very high speeds (license-revoking velocities) the tyres tend to tramline
the subtle groves of the road, requiring some amount of correction to keep the runaway train on track. Over some surfaces – and only over the worse of our
roads – the road noise was loud. The chassis felt a bit jittery, steering vague and woolly, possibly because as a roadster, it is not impervious to scuttle shakes.
Overall, the new Z copes well with most road conditions, even going slowly.
nfoRmation
Nissan 370Z Roadster
Engine : 3,696, V6 24-valve DOHC
Power/torque : 333bhp / 363Nm
Fuel consumption : 9.1km/litre
0-100km/h : 6.4 sec
Top speed : 250km/h
Pushing the car round corners, the Z exhibits neutral and predictable
handling with a taut rear-drive chassis. Gassing the car mid corner tightens the line
ever so gently. With a 100mm shorter wheelbase, the car is nippier and more re-
sponsive than the 350Z. If only I had access to roads that allowed some tail-sliding
frolics, I reckon the chassis to be a magnanimous entertainer, exubing flamboyance
and indulgence even for the nascent enthusiast without snapping back and catch-
ing one off-guard. The new Z is a bit faster and a bit sharper and a whole lot more
entertaining.
At a fraction of the price of a continental coupe, the new Z is a winner. It
is a car you want to drive, and cars that I really want to drive are something that is
getting rare these days.
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