2009 Nissan 370Z

Nissan’s iconic sports car goes back to its roots

By Nina Russin

2009 Nissan 370Z

The interior of the Nissan 370Z coupe reminds me of a bat cave: black seats, carpeting, headliner, steering wheel and instrument panel. Normally, bat cave interiors make me claustrophobic, but this one’s cool. It fits right in with the car’s not- for- everyone personality.

The rear window is ludicrously small, due to the car’s upswept rear quarter panels. As Raul Julia said in the 1976 film classic, Gumball Rally, “What’s behind me is not important.”

The best reason for putting up with the 370Z’s minor flaws is its performance. True to its heritage, the newest Z likes to be driven hard and put away wet: the harder the better.

The 370Z is shorter and squatter than the 350Z it replaces. It’s slightly lighter, and the standard V6 engine has 26 more horsepower. There are two available transmissions: a six-speed manual with an available synchro-rev match function, and a seven-speed automatic.

A sport package on the test car upgrades the standard rims to nineteen-inch wheels with performance tires, adds bigger brakes, a chin and rear spoiler, and the rev-match feature. Read the rest of this entry »