Nissan 370Z Automatic Transmission Review from Driver's Republic

AK370Z · 02-18-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

On the face of it saddling a new sportscar with a tight dynamic focus and the brief to knock seven bells out of the Porsche Cayman with an automatic gearbox seems quite baffling.

However, the torque converter automatic isn't the slushy old thing it used to be, and the new 370Z has a cracking 7-speed unit with paddle shifters and genuinely punchy, precise shifts. I'm surprised to be writing this, but the auto 370Z is a pretty appealing package.

This is a basic US-spec car and it differs from the UK and European Z because it isn't fitted with the viscous limited-slip differential that's standard in the old world. It's also running on the 18-inch wheels and Yokohama rubber - and in the UK at least, the £1400 optional 'box isn't available until you tick the box marked 'GT Pack', which comes exclusively on the 19s. Confused? Me too, so let's just worry about the 'box for now.

Tellingly the automatic 370Z has a pair of long metal and leather paddles attached to its steering column that would look at home in a Ferrari with the F1 Superfast system. So it may not have the wonderful DCT twin-clutch GT-R transmission, but it seems that Nissan hasn't just thrown any old auto at the 370Z to appease that strange breed who don't want to change gear even in a sportscar - those sculpted paddles hint that this is a properly resolved package.

And so it proves. The 7-speeds are very tightly stacked - perhaps a bit too tightly as you do find yourself hunting between 2nd and 3rd as the road wriggles ahead of you - and the torque converter locks-up very quickly, giving you a direct link to the rear wheels from the throttle pedal. It punches home upshifts with a bit of a kick (think PDK on Sport) but doesn't feel contrived. There's also an effective blip on downshifts and overall it's great when in manual mode. Nearly a match for the IS-F 8-speed automatic 'box and a bit less confusing. However, it's not as smooth as a ZF 6-speeder in something like a 3-Series BMW when in full auto mode. If it was my 370Z (which would be nice), then I'd stick with the manual 'box, but the 7-speed auto shouldn't be looked upon as a clunker.

Other interesting things thrown up with this car? Well, those 18s make a big difference to the feel of the 370Z. It rides more fluidly and what it loses in grip it gains in adjustability - the whole car just feels more alive, and some of the old 350Z fun factor that I thought might have been lost in the car with the 19s and Bridgestone rubber is restored. So the ultimate spec 370Z might not be the GT Ultimate at all, but a basic car with a manual 'box and riding on 18-inch wheels and Yokohama tyres. Good to know in these tough financial times. Please send the money we've just saved you to DR via recorded delivery.

Source: First drive of Nissan 370Z automatic via 370zblog.com Drivers Republic Review the 370z Auto

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