Nissan has totally reworked its Z car for 2009 and the result is the best Z yet. The all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z coupe is very likable and extremely fun to drive.
The original Z car, the 1970 Datsun 240Z, was known for its combination of performance, style and value. That trifecta is what Nissan has focused on throughout the Z car's evolution.
I had the pleasure of driving and servicing the early Z cars, including my cousin's inline six-cylinder 1981 Datsun 280Z. Of course, Datsun eventually became Nissan and as the Z car evolved, its number designation increased along with its engine displacement and performance.
I had the pleasure of driving and servicing the early Z cars, including my cousin's inline six-cylinder 1981 Datsun 280Z. Of course, Datsun eventually became Nissan and as the Z car evolved, its number designation increased along with its engine displacement and performance.
With regard to the 2009 Nissan 370Z, your eyes will immediately be drawn to its attention-grabbing design. The new Z sits a bit lower and has a shorter (about 4 inches) wheelbase and wider (2.2 inches) rear track, making for an aggressive stance.
I especially like the new Z car's aerodynamic shape, cantilevered roof, muscular fenders and boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights.
If you want attention, the 370Z will more than meet your needs. My 370Z tester commanded attention wherever I went and all those individuals who stopped me to talk about the car kept telling me how much they liked its looks.
As great as the 370Z's exterior styling is, I was somewhat disappointed with the cabin and tiny cargo compartment. The seats in my tester were not made for a wide body like mine. The blind spots are huge and it's difficult to see when backing up.
I also did not like the gauge package. The coolant temperature and fuel level are indicated via hard-to-see tiny LEDs. I would have preferred analog style gauges for those and I miss the digital speedometer indicator that was used in the previous generation 350Z.
The other disappointment was that the cabin let in a bit too much road noise while motoring at highway speeds. Other than that, the cabin benefits from some better-looking materials, giving it a more upscale feel than its predecessor.
I loved the kidney-shaped, leather-wrapped steering wheel with baseball-like stitching. It feels good to grip and makes you want to fire the Z up and take it for a spin.
The 370Z features a keyless push-button starter that brings the 3.7-liter V-6 to life. It's basically the same V-6 used in the Infiniti G37. It's rated at 332 horsepower and performance enthusiasts can get a 350-horsepower version in the high-performance NISMO 370Z.
The 370Z's 3.7-liter V-6 can be mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic with manual shifting capabilities via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Also, for those who opt for the sport package, Nissan provides the manual gearbox with a unique driver selectable (via a console-mounted switch) SynchroRev Match system. When the system is turned on, and the driver pushes in the clutch to downshift, the system automatically controls and adjusts engine speed to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially "blipping" the throttle to smooth out any shifts. This avoids jerking the car and it improves vehicle balance and smoothness when shifting. |
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From a performance standpoint, the 370Z is very likable. The V-6 is very powerful and smooth. Acceleration is great from a dead stop and for passing. My tester's six-speed manual gearbox was also to my liking.
The 370Z remains very taut and is nimble when taking corners. Some may find the suspension a bit stiff, but that's what sports cars are all about.
Those who select the sport package will also benefit from some beefier brakes that include 14-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors (versus 12.6 inch front/12.1-inch rear standard rotors) with four-piston front and two-piston rear aluminum calipers.
The 2009 Nissan 370Z features a long list of standard safety features and the lineup for 2009 has been simplified to just two models: 370Z and the 370Z Touring.
The 370Z is well equipped and is priced right at just $30,000. The 370Z Touring adds heated leather seats, Homelink universal transmitter, Bluetooth, eight-speaker Bose audio system, cargo cover and aluminum pedals.
Overall, enthusiasts will enjoy this all-new Z car. It's one of the most attainable, best-looking, fun-to-drive sporty two-seaters out there.
2009 NISSAN 370Z
ENGINE: 332-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6
TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual
DRIVETRAIN: rear-wheel drive
FUEL ECONOMY: 18 city/26 highway
BASE PRICE: $29,930
AS TESTED: $30,740 (including $695 for destination)
WEB SITE: www.nissanusa.com |
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