SPORTSCAR
A truly affordable performance
The Nissan 370Z has been around since 2009 and really hasn’t changed that much in 10 years.
The styling has remained very similar with only minor tweaks happening through the years, but somehow it still manages to stay relevant and competitive in a very busy market segment.
The 2019 370Z Nismo I was testing took the standard 370Z to new heights not only in looks but in performance and handling as well.
The 370Z Nismo is short, stocky and powerful looking, the Nismo body kit adds to the performance look and feel of the car.
Up front the Nismo model has an added red accented chin spoiler that not only makes the car more aggressive looking but is functional creating more down force. Snake-eye like bi-functional xenon headlights flank the lighter aluminum hood add to the athletic stance of the car.
A new smaller rear spoiler and the flared rear fenders give the 370Z a powerful and muscular stance and make it appear much wider than it really is.
The 19-in forged alloy wheels and bright red NISMO brake calipers complete the over all aggressive performance look and feel of the car.
It’s immediately obvious that this car means business the minute you get into it – no easy task when you are, ahem, slightly portly.
Everything about the cockpit is functional and screams performance.
The red and black leather Recaro sports seats are tight but they need to be, the high side bolsters are there to keep you in place although tight they are remarkably comfortable. The leather wrapped steering wheel has a red positioning line already sewn in enhancing the sporty feel of the car.
Looking through the steering wheel at the instruments tells you that the 370Z is totally performance oriented, taking pride of place and in full view of the driver is the rev counter with the speedometer being placed to the right.
Again, this set up is more for track than road driving. The gear lever is comfortably placed high enough in the centre consul resulting in minimum arm movement when changing gears.
The seven-inch infotainment touch screen is mounted high and deep into the dash with all controls being easy to use and functional. Above the screen mounted atop the dash are three dials that display oil temperature, voltmetre and clock. Unusually the back up camera can be seen on both the rearview mirror as well as on the infotainment screen. Sitting in the drivers seat certainly gives the impression that you are in the cockpit of a fighter jet.
Under the hood is the 3.7-litre V6 that appears in the other models of the 370Z. But by adjusting the exhaust system and optimizing the Engine Control Module (ECM) the Nismo engineers have managed to increase the horsepower by 18 bringing it up to 350 hp and 276 lb/ft of torque, which is impressive for a naturally aspirated engine.
It is matched to a superb six-speed manual transmission that puts the power down to the rear wheels via a Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD). The clutch has also been upgraded to an Exedy L-PEC (Light Pedal Effort Clutch).
The independent suspension has also been finely tuned with a double-wishbone configuration on the front with a multi-link in the rear. A strut tower bar and front and rear dampers enhance body rigidity and help reduce road vibration.
Pushing the start button makes the car come alive, a deep grunt comes from the tuned exhaust telling you that it is ready for business. The upgraded clutch is very easy to manage and the gear shifter is smooth and the gate is easily engaged.
Acceleration is exhilarating especially when pushing it. Going up through the gears is smooth without hindrance with all gears being engaged fluidly without fuss.
Shifting down has been made much easier by means of the standard SynchroRev Match – basically the engine will automatically rev the engine keeping the engine speed high and making the change smooth without loosing any power.
The suspension is tight and I mean really tight, you get to feel every bump and stone on the road even with the added dampers it is a rough ride, but that is what the 370Z Nismo is all about.
There is no compromising with the handling of the car. It is stiff and rigid for a reason performance is exemplary. This is as close as you can get to driving a racecar on the streets. Going round corners is a breeze with zero body roll or the back end getting twitchy. The engine noise is superb (although artificially enhanced in the cabin) and enhances the drive experience.
I do have to admit that with the tight suspension it can be difficult, on under-maintained roads it becomes difficult to change some of the settings on the infotainment systems as the vibrations can become harsh.
On short drives the 370Z Nismo is a lot of fun attracting a lot of admiring looks, but I think that the novelty could wear off during a long drive.
I had a blast driving the 370Z Nismo. It looks like a racecar, feels like a racecar and most of all - drives like a racecar.
I think Nissan have proved a point with the 370Z Nismo, performance, handling and looks can be achieved at an affordable price.