2011 Nissan 370Z NISMO: Tasteful tuning

At Nissan, the Z is most definitely the car with the most prestigious legacy. After all, it comes from a long line of sports cars, including the 240Z launched more than 40 years ago. The 370Z has been in the catalogue since 2009 when it succeeded the 350Z that came out in 2003. True to the original ideology, the 370Z is an uncompromising two-seater with exceptional handling. Conversely, the 370Z isn’t one of those sports cars that combine luxury and sportiness. If you’re looking for practicality or an office on wheels, this is not the car for you... But for those of you looking for a true sports car without necessarily attaching any importance to the logo – because, you have to admit, there are more prestigious logos – the 370Z is a first-rate vehicle.

The NISMO: Exclusive

Unlike other sports cars, the Z is offered in only three versions – two coupes and a convertible, which has the advantage of simplifying the choice for potential buyers. One of the two versions of the coupe, the 370Z NISMO, is only available in limited quantity and features improved performances and aesthetics.

There’s a 3.7-litre six-cylinder engine under the hood that produces 332 horses at 7,000 rpm for a torque of 270 lbs-ft at 5,200 rpm. This engine sends its power to the rear wheels using a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional seven-speed automatic for those who aren’t crazy about using the stick shift. In the case of the NISMO, the V6’s power increases to 350 horses thanks to a few modifications from the central computer and the presence of an exclusive H pipe exhaust that minimizes resistance as engine gasses are expelled. Only the manual gearbox is offered, which is a logical choice since the NISMO considers itself a car for purists.

Once you lay your eyes on the 370Z, you’ll love its classically elegant and decidedly sporty lines. That goes double for the NISMO, our test model, which is distinguished by its additional aerodynamic packages. The larger and more stylized rear spoiler alone is enough to distinguish it from the other Z versions. Add to that a twin exhaust with oversized tips, a distinctive colour and exclusive 5-spoke, 19-inch rims and you get an aesthetically beautiful performance car. So much so that many people are fooled into thinking that it’s a Porsche GT at first glance. That’s quite the compliment for the Z, although it’s likely the large tread shoulder of the rear fenders that created this confusion.

Otherwise, the Z retains its basic features, namely a long hood, reduced overhangs and a central driving position. All of these features contribute to its performances and distinguish the 370Z from many other contenders.

A sporty but inviting interior

On board, you’ll have to admit that Nissan has done an outstanding job. I remember the 350Z’s more austere passenger compartment with its numerous (and awful) plastic panels. Fortunately, Nissan did not repeat this mistake. Emphasis was placed on performance, and especially, on the driver, hanging the passenger out to dry a little bit. Don’t forget that the 370Z is a two-seater, which means that it could be further from a family car. The loading space remains acceptable and the engineers had the brilliant idea of moving the large stabilizer bar that was located between the two suspension towers, thereby creating a little more room for baggage.

At the wheel, you’ll like the sport seats that feature excellent support without being too hard. The instrumentation displays the rev counter prominently, but the speedometer is barely visible so you’re forced to constantly look for your speed, which is no small matter in a performance car like this. Finally, you’ll appreciate telescopic steering column that offers more latitude in the search for the ideal driving position.

On the road

The only place where you can truly appreciate the virtues of this type of car is at the wheel. One thing is certain: the 370Z NISMO is a sports car that doesn’t do anything halfway. All the sacrifices made in the luxury and comfort departments are justified once you get behind the wheel. The car handles like a race car. Everything begins with a more than powerful engine that is accentuated by the car’s weight to power ratio. Press the accelerator and you’ll be pinned to the seat, not to mention mesmerized by the rich sound of the engine’s six cylinders.

While the best option turns out to be the six-speed manual transmission, I must admit that the seven-speed automatic is very good too. The presence of a “Sport” button paired with the manual gearbox quickly piqued our curiosity. In fact, it’s a very uncommon gadget that automatically adjusts engine speed when downshifting, like a professional race car driver would do, which helps optimize performance at all times.

The Nissan 370Z doesn’t have the brand image of some of its rivals, but it’s a performance- and pleasure-oriented car. Offered at a base price of a little over $40,000, the 370Z proves to be more expensive than the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang with a V6 engine, but its athletic prowess justifies this extra premium.