The Nissan Z car is one of those few cars that were the first to show up on American shores. Although various numbers have appeared in front of that Z as the engine displacement rose, each Z car has been a top performance choice among modern sports cars. The 2009 Nissan 370Z coupe carries on this tradition while raising the bar for all sport coupes.There are clear visual ties between the 370Z Coupe and its successful 350Z roadster predecessor, but from the ground up, every aspect of the Z has been revisited, redesigned or re-engineered to create a more finely polished performance machine. The wheelbase has shrunk and the rear track widened, while 95 pounds have been trimmed from its waistline. Not only does this pay dynamic dividends, but the car now looks trimmer, too. Torsional and bending rigidity have been increased, yet the old structural crossmember that used to reduce valuable cargo space has been relocated out of the way. All of this plus revised suspension tuning results in a car that feels more premium and grown up.
This is a system on which the legendary Z-series is enlivened. Nissan has kept the changes to a minimum, but in making a good mix of variations between the manual and automatic, and between the trims.
2009 Nissan 370Z Sports Coupe Image Gallery:
Models
The 2009 Nissan 370Z is presented in only two models. These are the 370Z, which is offered for $29,930, and the 370Z Touring, which costs $34,460. These are packed into only one body type –the coupe.
The 370Z, the standard, base model, is a good package. It is pretty well-dressed for a basic model, carrying a host of features. For starters, it gets the Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start; and then, one gets the following among its other offerings: power door locks with auto-lock feature; power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature; automatic climate control; a center console box with a new non-intrusive cover design; two 12-volt power outlets; rear window defroster with timer; dual overhead map lights; a AM/FM/CD/AUX four-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls, and four cup-holders, two in door panels and two in center console. A six-speed manual is standard; a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters can be had at $31,230.
On the 370Z Touring, expectedly, one gets more features in the form of a 6CD Bose audio system with eight speakers, which includes dual subwoofer and MP3/WMA playback to start with. Other notable features include XM Satellite Radio, for which XM subscription, which is sold separately, is required; four-way power adjustable heated synthetic suede and leather-appointed sport seats with adjustable lumbar support; HomeLink Universal Transceiver; passenger seat map pocket and Bluetooth Handsfree Phone System. The Touring, too, comes with the standard six-speed manual with the option of a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, which costs $35,760.
The 370Z doesn’t offer too much in terms of options. All that one gets are a Sport package and a Navigation package. At an extra $3,000, the Sport package augments the model with 19-inch forged lightweight aluminum-alloy Rays wheels that come fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high-performance radials. In this package, the prominent distinguishing feature is the spoilers fitted fore and aft, to lower the car’s drag coefficient from 0.29 to 0.28. In this package, the spec brakes get higher, with 14-inch front rotors and 13.8-inch rear rotors, up substantially from the standard rotor sizes of 12.6/12.1-inch. This comes with four-piston front and two-piston rear aluminum calipers.
And now, the Navigation package –for an additional $1,850, one gets goodies such as a 9.3 Gig Music Box hard drive and interface system for iPods and other MP3 players. By far, the most important addition this package carries is its GPS system that is powered by a hard drive and features a touch-screen display. This comes with real-time traffic information from XM NavTraffic, albeit this is a paid subscription.
Exteriors
As we saw in the beginning, this new version is striking for its smallness. Shorter and squarer than before, the Nissan 370Z has the kind of exterior it has never had in nearly four decades of its launch. The contours are tighter, as is the panels’ surface tension. Another area in which it stands out from its predecessors is in its aerodynamic shape. This is a tad too pronounced for a car of this shape and size, but is perhaps given so spell out its aggressive nature, and highlight its rear-wheel-drive.
While a few fitments are changed, a few remain devoutly loyal to its ancestor. Take a look at the vertical metallic exterior door handle of this 2009 model and compare it with that of the original 1970 model, and it is difficult to tell one from the other.
Turn indicators get a good-looking Z-shaped signal marker. All other elements are sober and just in place. The tires appear a little too bulky at first glance, but it has to be remembered that this is a sports car.
One more change that is brought in, although it is not something that strikes the eye, is the set of doors. These, along with the hood and rear hatch, are all-aluminum, with the steel support it got earlier being done away with. This is a smart way of reducing weight in areas that really can, without making it obvious. The result: a silent weight reduction of 90 lbs.
Interiors
The interiors truly stand out for their looks. They are befitting a sports car that is in its sixth generation. The materials are plush and well-designed. The element that takes the cake is the high-tech steering wheel that it shares with the Maxima. This stands out as the most attractive piece in the dash. To kindle the driver’s ego, a large Z shines out in the center of the steering wheel. At different places of the steering wheel, there are differing circumferences, making it look like an undulating circle of varying thickness. To give a feel of a vehicle that offers good grip, the steering wheel has perforated leather to grip, in the size of the clenched fist. These buttons, of course, stand out for their largeness.
The dash also reflects the sports car spirit. In the instrument panel, there are two rows of LEDs that indicate fuel level and temperature. This sits on the left side, beside a 180-mph speedometer.
The seats too, are slightly redone for this year. They offer more space and support to the passenger, while for the driver; the bolsters are softer and heavier for added padding. This appears to offer the driver the cushion needed for long drives.
Old timers of the 350 will remember that it was given a shock-tower support bar, which would dent the luggage space heavily. Thankfully, that is now done away with in this model. It now carries a cross-car bar that is placed directly behind the front seats. This gives way for more luggage space; when the rear hatch is lifted, there is ample space with good access.
And then, there is vast improvement on the quality and handling of the sound systems, as well. These touch-ups represent a well-rounded and comprehensive improvement on the interiors.
Safety
Well, this is a well-thought out, well laid out performance car. So, who would expect safety to be compromised? You get active safety features such as electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. To supplement these, there are dual-stage front airbags; side-curtain airbags for head protection and front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags for torso protection. These are in addition to active head restraints and four-wheel tire pressure monitors.
Driving Impressions
One drive on the 370Z and you will realize it is a true-blue sports car. Excitement is coded in its genes. It is a few notches ahead of even its illustrious predecessor. Whatever odd roughness the 350Z had here and there has been totally ironed out. The 350Z’s occasional rigidity at high speeds and sharp turns has been well taken care of.
Let us turn our attention next to another novel feature that is meant to aid smoother riding. The SynchroRev system is provided for this purpose. It is ideal for those who are not used to dual-clutching and using the heels and toes while driving. This system, by cutting the throttle on downshifts in matching engine speed with rear-axle speed gives it a feather-like, smooth synchronization.
Summary
This is a top class sports car; anyone who has had a ride on this car will vouch for this. It is a combination of some wonderful features, great power, terrific feel of the road, smooth glide and total safety. A race car cannot get any more refined, nor can more logic and common sense go into one. This is an exhibition of Japanese technology at its improvising best. Whatever the earlier 350Z had by way of some shortcomings have been well handled. The 370Z is a great fun vehicle to have. It is an owner’s pride, for sure.
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