Nissan 370z test drive since 2008

Overview of the new sports coupe Nissan 370z. Z-car for real connoisseurs

Los Angeles. Parking area. In the light of spotlights, Nissan 370z flaunts: he has the first official photo shoot today. True fans of the model came here today to take part in the first release of 370z. Among them are Randy Rodriguez.
Rodriguez went a long way before being here. He was born and raised in one of the provinces of Canada, where his family had a small gas station and a car repair workshop. Over time, they began to specialize in the repair of Nissan cars. The first car of Rodriguez was Nissan 240z, which he completely restored. A dozen old ZC passed through his hands, although he is currently only 31 years old.
Like all adherents of this model, Rodrigusz is very different from most motorists, it stands out from the general course, is not afraid of bold solutions and is very serious about cars. This attitude is found only in those who revived the old dilapidated used cars with their own hands.
Rodriguez is a bright representative of the target audience for which 370z was created. The fact that Randy Rodriguez works in Nissan Design America, there may be some magic, especially since it was from under his pen that the first sketches of what eventually became the new Nissan 370z came out.
Complete on the figure
The difference between the new Z and the previous one is felt when you move on it from the perfectly even coating of the highway to an ordinary street. The previous rigidity and sometimes excessive springiness, characteristic of 350z, disappeared. The suspension of the new Z is supple, like the luxury European coupes, and at the same time collected and informative, which should be with a sports car with large wheels.
When creating this model, Nissan decided to reduce the weight of the car as much as possible. This was achieved in a very simple and effective way: in the new Z, the wheelbase (10 cm) between the axes was shortened. Now its length is 2,550 mm, which is very close to the golden middle of the geometry of sports cars, proven for years, 2,510 mm. The wheel wheels have become 55 mm wider.
This time, Nissan engineers paid more careful attention of structural stiffness. The car received a new subframe, a V-shaped bottom line and structural refinement of the rear suspension. As a result, the rigidity of twisting in front increased by 30%, behind by 22%, and the rigidity of the bend increased by 30%.
In the general, the Nissan team managed to facilitate a 102 kg car, although almost all of them returned back after the introduction of security systems and the arrangement of the salon. The result of their intense work was the weight loss of Nissan 370z by 43 kg in comparison with the previous model.
These changes helped the car as a whole rise to a new level. Any engineer will confirm that a structurally modified car will be able to demonstrate more simple handling with previous dynamics. We will only say that it is felt in a completely different way, has become more solid.
For the street
The new anterior two -leaf aluminum suspension absorbs road irregularities and joints on concrete coating so well that you can easily fall into a misconception that now it is just a compartment oriented towards BMW owners. The interior also leads to similar thoughts, since in comparison with the stylish but strict solution of the cabin of 350z, the interior of 370z has gained luxury features.
The overall structure of the cabin did not undergo significant changes: we have found the front seats settled manually by 8 parameters and the steering column adjustable in height, which moves along with the dashboard, like 350Z. The driver's seat sank by 1.27 cm. A significant blind spot appeared behind the driver’s right shoulder, which is not compensated even by the side mirrors that increased in size.
As before, the 6-cylinder V-shaped motor of the VQ series affects the range of its power. The six -speed manual gearbox has become more delicate, while preserving the previous clarity of the lever and switching. The pedal of the new brake system with the distribution of effort provides smooth stops without loss of braking efficiency. The diameter of the brake discs Nissan 370z is 320 mm in front and 307 mm behind.
It is only worth drowning in the floor of the gas pedal, and the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR (Very High Reving is high-cost) comes to life. Well, hello.
For the track
So, in front you have a V6 of VQ with a volume of 3.7 liters with a system of change in the phase distribution, a system for changing the height of the valve lift and the red zone at a mark of 7,500 revolutions per minute, which produces 336 hp. at 7,000 rpm. and 366 Nm of torque at 5,200 revolutions. On the right is the lever of a six -speed manual gearbox.
Nissan 370z, which we got for the dough, is equipped with an Sport Package option, which includes forged aluminum discs with Bridgestone RE050A tires (245/40 R19 in front and 275/35 R19 in the back), four-piston front calipers in tandem from 355 mm brake discs in the spaces and inputs in the spaces and inputs in the spaces 350.5 mm from behind, as well as the rear differential of increased friction with the WISK MUFTA.
This car has so many clutch that the engine is ready to jump right at the start; 60 miles per hour (96.56 km/h) the car is gaining for 5.1 s. You can’t call the new Nissan 370z light, and our test car weighing 1,524 kg of this is bright evidence, but its intentions are the most serious: he overcomes a quarter of a mile in 13.4 seconds, developing 168 km/h finish. For a full stop from 96.56 km/h, this car requires only 30.78 m.
Clutch in Z in Z is more than enough, in the test for lateral acceleration, it demonstrates the result of 0.97G in a controlled skid, which is easy to control gas. A shortened wheelbase means that it is easier for the car to pass with slalom, which is confirmed by the speed of this test of 111 km/h. In general, the Nissan 370Z is going in the same way as the Nissan 350Z NISMO equipment presented last year, only without the obstinacy characteristic of NISMO machines.
For you
To feel everything that 370z is capable of, it is not necessary to be a wizard. Partly because the engine of this machine is in front, which means that the most heavy part sets the direction so that you feel very confident. More importantly, the car does not lose its composure even on bumps, even when, it would seem, it should fly high on bumps because of the rigidity of the suspension, because you are now closer to the rear axle than before.
If you felt embarrassed at the wheel of 350z, slowed down too late before turning and passing it like WRX, the car could go into the demolition, and you felt at the same time durable, then 370z will never do that, and you feel in it skilled driver.
You can feel even more skillful if you use the Synchrorev Match mode (part of the Sport Package option), which is, in fact, an electronic system that automatically covers the throttle when you need to switch down. This system copes with its task so well that it provides painless movement in a dense city stream at low speeds, as well as the balance of the chassis and a faster entrance to the turn at high speeds.
Unfortunately, the relaxation that the suspension at high speeds demonstrates is not always shown the engine. Very often there is a feeling that the 3.7-liter version of the V6 VQ series works at the limit of its capabilities, because as the revolutions approach the red zone (7,500 revolutions per minute), the level of vibration increases strongly, becoming very irritating at a certain stage. Plus, 19-inch Bridgestone tires on some types of coating are so loud that a couple of hours on a concrete highway can turn into real torture.
The price of greatness
Nissan 370Z will go to dealerships for sale in January 2009, and at the moment we know only the initial price of the basic configuration of $ 29 930. Instead of the usual abundance of decoration options, only two configuration options will be offered: the usual 370Z and more luxurious 370z Touring (on the extreme Mere, at the initial stage of sales).
If you often go to Track Days, then you will like the Sport Package option, with large wheel and brake discs in diameter. You will probably be also interested in some NISMO atelier developments, available for this model, such as the oil cooler in the engine and in the LSD bridge. This engine, with its ability to develop high speeds, is very sensitive to oil temperature, so if you are going to hold the momentum in the red zone for a long time, cutting circles on the track on a warm day, NISMO options will become useful for you (all the more so that he had The place is a long dispute to include these coolers in Sport Package).
The history of Z began in 1970 as an experimental Nissan model. Its author was Utaka Katayama, the legendary Mr. K. And still this model impresses people with an irresistible craving for high speeds, which are not satisfied with standard answers to the question of what a sports car should be. Like the concern itself, Nissan 370z is straightforward, frank and slightly rude. It was as if all the art of Japanese politeness and philosophy threw away, leaving only the essence of the true Z-automobile car.
Fans of the model will like this.
 
Opinion of the senior editor, Ed Hellwig:
I immediately want to note that I have never experienced much sympathy for 350z. This is one of those cars that look well on paper a compact size, a powerful V6, a hard suspension, large wheels, BreMbo brakes, but do not live up to expectations on the road. There is a huge potential in this car, but there is no soul in how it is realized. I could overcome a difficult section of the road on it, and still I did not leave the feeling that one small mistake was separated by me from departure to the ditch.
Despite a very similar list of technical characteristics, 370z even half is not so frightening. She has the same possibilities, but at the same time she is more understandable. Most of its capabilities lies in the suspension, which looks more perfect, despite the essentially insignificant changes. Instead of simply pressing the wheels into the ground, a car with these settings gives you a space for small movement. She is supple, but not soft, and that is why I wanted to check what this car is capable of.
Add to a sense of confidence a clearly working gearbox, a high-speed engine, a tenacious brake pedal and a sharp steering wheel, and you will gain such experience in managing a sports Z-automobile car, which you always wanted to get from the 350th model. Now that I can feel all this, sitting at the wheel of 370z, I would really think about such a purchase. He costs this money.
Technical characteristics Nissan 370z
 
Full length: 4 250 mm.
Full width: 1 845 mm.
Complete height: 1 315 mm.
Wheel base: 2 550 mm.
Drive: rear.
Engine: a 3.7-liter 6-cylinder with a V-shaped cylinder location, developed power 336 hp. (247 kW) at 7,000 rpm, maximum torque 365 nm (37.2 kg-m) at 5,200 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed mechanical with the Synchrorev Match mode.
 
 

A source: Inside Line