BMW M240i Coupe
again. BMW makes use of a 3.0-litre straight six engine that is force fed massive amounts of air with the assistance of a turbocharger.
The Nissan has 3.7-litre V6 engine that has to suck air into it to produce power. On paper the difference is only 6kW in favour of the BMW, but thanks to the already mentioned gearbox differences, and the fact that the air on the Reef does not contain as much power producing oxygen as the air at the coast does, the straightline fight goes easily in favour of the BMW.
The around 18% power loss as a result of the lack of oxygen up here is really felt and seen in the recorded times. The M240i gets to 100km/h in just 4.75 seconds versus 6.66 seconds of the 370Z. This trend continues right through the range, and at 1km the BMW is doing 228km/h and the Nissan only 206km/h.
And when it comes to in gear acceleration, the same happens again, the 100km/h to 200km/h times come in at 11.67 seconds and 17.87 seconds. So, while the Nissan must build rpm to produce torque, the BMW’s turbo means there is plenty of instant torque available and it romps away.
This also translates into better fuel consumption for the BMW at 9.7-litres per 100km and 11.9-litres per 100km for the Nissan. C02 emissions are also in favour of the BMW, but that is if you are even interested in these numbers.
Where the two cars get a whole lot closer is when it comes to handling. The Nissan has a good old school hydraulic steering fitted versus the electrical assisted unit on the BMW. One is quick to forget how good these old school systems were when it comes to driver feel and feedback from a car. And as much as I would like to say that the 370Z would run the M240i close on the track, and think the actual corner apex speeds would be very similar, if not in favour of the 370Z, I can’t because the extra torque and electronic driver aids of the BMW will pull it clear of the Nissan, which needs a bit of actual skill and talent from the driver to get the best out of it. Truth be told, the older Nissan is outgunned by the newer BMW, that most people would go for when it comes to shopping at this price point, but there is something pure about the 370Z. Gearbox: 8 Speed Sports Automatic Engine: 3.0 litre Straight-Six Turbocharged Power: 250 kW @ 5 500 rpm Torque: 500 Nm @ 1 520 - 4 500 rpm Licensing Mass: 1 455 kg Power to Weight: 171.821 kW / Tonne Power to Capacity: 83.389 kW / Litre 0-100 km/h: 4.75 Seconds 1/4 Mile (402.34 m): 13.09 Seconds @ 178.36 Km/h 1/2 Mile (804.68 m): 20.50 Seconds @ 216.79 Km/h 1 Km (1000 m): 23.65 Seconds @ 228.51 Km/h 60-100 km/h: 2.66 Seconds (in 3rd Gear) / 2.90 Seconds (in 4th Gear) 80-120 km/h: 3.28 Seconds (in 4th Gear) / 4.10 Seconds (in 5th Gear) 100-200 km/h: 11.67 Seconds (from 3rd Gear) True Top Speed: Limited to 250.49 Km/h @ 6 200 rpm in 6th (Clock 258 Km/h) Fuel Consumption: 7.1 litres / 100 km Claimed (9.7 litres Test Average) Fuel Tank Size: 52 litres Fuel Range: 732 km Claimed (536 km on Test) CO2 Emissions: 163 g/km Vehicle Odometer: 3 679 Km Test Temperature: 20 Degrees Tyres Size: 225/35 R19 Front / 245/30 R19 Rear Tyres Make: Pirelii P Zero Warranty: 2 Year / Unlimited Km Service / Maint Plan: 5 Years / 100 000 Km Maintenance Plan Priced From: R714 200 Test Date: 15 February 2018