Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

03matrixred · 04-07-2009, 09:30 PM

hello guys,

Oncars.com did a nice 3 part Video review of 370Z

370Z Directors Cut
2009 Nissan 370Z: Director's Cut | Video - OnCars

part 1 : Design Review
2009 Nissan 370Z Part 1 of 3: Design | Video - OnCars

Part 2: Interior & User Experience
2009 Nissan 370Z Part 2 of 3: Interior | Video - OnCars

Part 3: Performance Review
2009 Nissan 370Z Part 3 of 3: Performance | Video - OnCars

enjoy the videos.

Quote:

2009 Nissan 370Z Part 1 of 3: Design
Fresh, modern and completely true to its Z-car roots.

Showing much respect for the past, the new Nissan 370Z represents a welcome return to Z-car design tradition. Representing the first major redesign since the 2003 model year, the 370Z replaces the popular 350Z, a car which returned the Z to its modestly priced roots after years of overweight and overpriced Z-cars. The result of an intense design competition between the Nissan design studios in Detroit, San Diego, Tokyo and London, the 370Z takes the Z-car's design to a whole new level.

The 370Z is much better resolved than the 350Z, with a more cohesive design that borrows styling cues from past Z-cars, but is at the same time completely modern. Where the old car seemed to try too hard with its geometric shapes, the new car is a natural athletic-looking sportscar.

The details work much better than before. As an example, where the 350Z featured vertical, non-automotive looking door handles, the 370Z now sports more dynamic looking vertical handles that are much slicker in appearance and more sportscar appropriate. But it's not just the attention to detail that has paid dividends. The new Z also benefits from some significant dimensional modifications.

Nissan's biggest visual enhancement is found in the 370Z's shorter, yet wider footprint. Giving up nearly four inches in wheelbase - most obviously seen between the rear wheel and the trailing edge of the door - the Z now sports a 99-in. wheelbase - a number many regard as sportscar perfect. The resulting car is not only more compact, but also exhibits much better proportions. A modestly increased width allowed designers to exaggerate those beautiful fender flares, which once again contribute to the car's aggressive character.

Perhaps the most appropriate Z-car design element can be found in the side window graphics, which are clearly inspired by the original 1969 240Z and give the new car a much more dynamic feel than that of the car it replaces. The upswept line also helps accentuate the aggressively flared rear fender forms perfectly. Those sexy hips are best viewed from behind and leave little doubt as to the cars intended purpose.

Inspiring much controversy, the Z's boomerang headlights and taillights seem to be part of a new Nissan corporate design identity, and were first seen on the current Nissan Maxima. While some have suggested a "different for different's sake" attitude, they at least convey a dynamic feel that the car backs up aesthetically and dynamically.

The 370Z also borrows a bit from the company's flagship - the phenomenal Nissan GTR. This is most evident in the slopping roofline, which now peaks just beyond the top of the windshield. You almost wish the designers had gone a step further and blacked out the A-pillars as they did on the GTR however. In a more subtle way, the front of the car also recalls the GTR, with a much more aggressive mouth than the somewhat generic opening found on the 350Z.

Another departure from the 350Z is found on the lower body side, which, like the rest of the car, is more organic. The sharp line defining the bottom of the door sees the surfacing below tapering away underneath the car, relieving the car's visual mass compared to the old car's boring and somewhat flat surfacing in this area.

With more than a nod to tradition, the Nissan 370Z forges ahead with a design that - while not revolutionary - is still quite fresh and modern... and completely true to its Z-car roots.

2009 Nissan 370Z Part 2 of 3: Interior
Expectations were high for this new Z and Nissan has delivered

The new Nissan 370Z has arrived on the heels of its much-loved and great selling predecessor, the 350Z. That rave reviews have ensued is not surprising, as the 350Z was still well regarded, even at its advanced age. With the new Z still based on Nissan's highly versatile FM-Platform - now further modified for use on the 370Z, a lot was expected and Nissan has delivered.

But where the old car didn't fare well - in its interior - is where the new car makes its biggest strides. Quality and materials issues aside, the 350Z had a good-looking interior. But that of the 370Z is even better styled, keeping the signature Z-car elements like the three secondary gauges on the top center dash and the hooded instrument panel, and adding a good helping of soft-touch materials and top-notch quality. The door panels - now covered in a faux suede alcantara material - look and feel much better and combine with the other improvements to elevate the feel of the Z's cabin from value-driven sports car to simply sportscar.

The old gearshift that rattled more than a cheap "no-tell-motel" vibrating bed is much improved. And while the vibrations aren't completely banished, at least they're not too obtrusive. That gear shifter, by the way, is connected to the most noteworthy feature of the new 370Z...

The only real nod toward high-tech wizardry in the 370Z is the "Sychro-Rev-Match" system which makes anyone sound and feel like a racing superstar, with perfectly matched throttle blips delivered every single time you grab a lower gear. Now, I have to confess that I didn't like the idea of this system at all. I know how to heal-and-toe for myself, and I don't need a stinkin' computer to do it for me. But after trying it, I have to admit that it is EXTREMELY COOL! Although I did leave it off 90 percent of the time. After all, I've got a reputation to protect!

Much more than a gimmick, the system helps keep the car stable while braking and downshifting at speed if you can't heal-and-toe for yourself. It even smoothes out everyday driving and increases clutch life as a bonus. Expect to see other manufacturers borrowing this idea for future models.

But while the Z's interior has gotten much better, there are still some compromises to discuss.

Incredibly - and thankfully - the 370Z shuns the new-car trend to gain weight with every successive generation. This pays dividends in terms of the Z's dynamics, but other parts of the car suffer a bit due to the extreme weight watching. For one, there is a lot of drivetrain noise inside the cabin of the new Z - and unfortunately, the sound is more John Deere than sportscar appropriate. So perhaps a little sound deadening could have helped. Then again, given a choice between better performance and more refinement... well, let's forget I even brought it up.

The 370Z is a sportscar after all, so some compromises can be expected and endured. Thankfully, as far as two-seaters are concerned, there is plenty of space for the Z's occupants. Even the luggage compartment has been improved now that the rear chassis stiffening brace has been relocated further forward, although the space remains shallow, so you'll still want to pack lightly.

Overall, the interior of the 370Z epitomizes the concerted efforts of the Nissan design and engineering team when creating this new sportscar. By improving those few things that needed improvement, and tweaking and refining those things that were already good, Nissan has taken a very good sportscar and elevated its stature to near greatness.

2009 Nissan 370Z Part 3 of 3: Performance
The most rewarding driver's car in the entire Nissan line up

Improving on what was already one of the best performance car bargains on the market, the new Nissan 370Z starts where the 350Z left off and significantly raises the bar.

Breaking the size and weight gain trend that afflicts most new cars, the new Z - for all its considerable improvements - sits on a shorter yet wider footprint, and more notably, tips the scales at around the same numbers as a comparably equipped 350Z - which is quite impressive!

Beyond the concerted effort to keep the Z's weight in check, Nissan has also done its best to keep costs down. You won't find all-wheel steering or a trick torque-vectoring rear axle or any paddle-shift, dual-clutch nonsense. What you get with the Z are the essentials: Rear-wheel drive, limited-slip differential and an honest-to-goodness manual transmission. If you want a car that will mask your mistakes and drive itself, then kindly look elsewhere.

The power you'll be putting down through that viscous limited-slip diff is once again provided by a VQ-series engine. This time the Z-car borrows the newest VQ-37 that we've tried before in the Infiniti G37S. As it's charged with motivating a significantly lighter car in the 370Z, the V6 provides acceleration that is much more in keeping with the sportscar soul of this new Z-car. Unfortunately, the rough character of the VQ-engine series at elevated RPM is still present in this latest 3.7-liter version, making the 370Z sound and feel a bit strained when you really hustle it. But while the sounds may not be as satisfying as you'd wish, the resulting acceleration leaves little to complain about.

Beyond its focus on the accelerative qualities and cornering abilities of the new Z, Nissan has also paid attention to deceleration. Keen eyes will notice that the brake calipers now say Nissan instead of Brembo. Not to worry, as the 370's calipers are now made by Akebono... the same company that helped Lewis Hamilton win the Formula 1 World Championship last season. So if they're good enough for Lewis, I suspect they'll be just fine for you and me.

The 370Z is so improved, it makes a good case for itself as Nissan's best car. Now, some of you might have just fallen off your chairs, thinking that's a ridiculous thing to say with the fabulous rocket that is the GT-R sitting atop the company portfolio. But is the GT-R really the best car Nissan makes?

The answer really depends on your definition of "best". If you mean the fastest and most technologically advanced, then yeah, the GT-R is it. After all, that thing has enough advanced onboard systems to make the Millennium Falcon seem like a covered wagon. But if by "best" you mean "most entertaining"... than the best car Nissan makes is the new 370Z... that's right, I said it!

Relatively affordable and completely entertaining, the 370Z not only reaches higher than any previous Z-car, it may indeed be the most rewarding driver's car in the entire Nissan line up.

Nissan 370Z

Performance
- Acceleration: Noticeably better than 350Z, but the VQ37 still sounds strained and harsh at the top of the rev range
- Handling: Great bite turning into corners - throttle steer on the menu despite the grip afforded by those BIG rear tires - needs more steering lock to be a true drifting machine, though
- Braking: Brembo makes way for Akebono, and if McLaren trusts 'em on their Formula 1 car, they'll do just fine, thank you!

Design
- Exterior: Gorgeous and finally Z-car appropriate - even the funky details (lights, door handles, etc.) now work well
- Interior: The single biggest improvement over the previous Z - materials especially nice for the price

Utility
- Comfort: Perfectly acceptable for two passengers
- Space: Much improved, especially at the rear, but space is still not exactly abundant

Safety
- Dynamics: Initial understeer will prove safe for those lacking a bit on the ability side - good transitional responses
- Technology: Stability and traction control plus airbags, ABS, etc., etc.

Value
- Price: Takes the crown from the Chevrolet Corvette as the best bang for the buck on the market
- Mileage: That sixth gear helps - as does some self-control on your part

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: The styling will get you... then the power... then the handling... so yeah, it hits all the right spots
- Fun to spank: Yes, but a mechanical LSD would have worked better than the viscous type if you want to nit-pick

SPECIFICATIONS
Layout: Front engine / Rear-wheel drive
Engine: 3.7 liter, V6
Power (SAE): 332 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 270 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Curb Weight: 3360 lbs.
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.7 @ 104 mph
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 18 city / 26 highway
Base Price: $29,930
Competitors: Mazda RX8, BMW 135i?, Infiniti G37S?