Nissan 370Z Forum - 2009 NISMO 370z Pictures from Edmunds 04.07.09

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The first Nismo Z didn't come around until the end of the Nissan 350Z's model cycle, but Nissan isn't w
asting any time with the 370Z version. The 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z hits U.S. dealerships in June, and this time it has a little more power and torque than normal Z-cars, thanks to a 350-horsepower version of the 3.7-liter VQ-series V6. Nissan expects the track-focused Nismo model to account for 5 percent of all Z coupe sales.

As with the original Nismo Z, the chassis and bodywork for the 2009 Nismo 370Z have been developed by Autech, the Japanese company that prepares Nissan's entries for the Japanese Super GT (JGTC) racing series. But Nissan has been more heavily involved in the engineering of the 2009 Nismo Z, and the automaker had final approval on the design.

Probably that's why Randy Rodriguez, the Nissan Design America designer who's credited with the initial sketches for the regular 370Z, is pretty happy with how the 2009 Nismo 370Z turned out.

"I think it's much better than the last version," he tells us. "The last Nismo was kind of busy and didn't really accentuate the design very much. There was a lot of stuff added to it, and this one seems to be a little bit more refined."

At a glance, though, the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z appears to compromise the new Z-car's effort to slim down to pure sports-car dimensions. The Nismo's wheelbase remains 100.4 inches, but at 174.3 inches in overall length, it's 7 inches longer than the normal 370Z. It also has a 0.6-inch wider track than the Sport-package 370Z, due to the wider rims of the lightweight forged-aluminum Rays wheels. They measure 19-by-9.5 inches in front and 19-by-10.5 inches in back.

Aerodynamic considerations dictated the longer body for the Nismo Z, which is, after all, meant to be a racing car that just happens to have a carpeted interior, not to mention DOT-legal tires (Yokohama Advan Sports, 245/40ZR19 98Y in front and 285/35ZR19 99Y in the rear). The front and rear fascias are radically different, and most of the extra length is in the nose. This adds a few extra pounds, as the Nismo's curb weight is listed at 3,300 pounds versus 3,232 for a base, manual-shift 370Z.

"I know it's for performance reasons that they put a really long nose on it," says Rodriguez. "Those JGTC cars are really low and super wide, and they make them longer, too. There's an old Datsun 240Z called the G-Nose that I used to own. It was an extended-nose version of the regular 240Z, and the Nismo kind of reminds me of that."

Rodriguez is even fine with the large rear wing Autech has put on the 2009 Nismo 370Z to increase downforce. "Actually, I think the wing should be bigger. And I wouldn't mind seeing a more extreme version of the Z that's even more aggressive, wider and lower — and with at least 370 hp."

Underneath its showy aero bits, the 2009 Nismo 370Z is no less hard-core than the 350Z Nismo. Autech still takes the standard Z-car chassis off the assembly line and welds the seams of the unit body by hand — a labor-intensive process that increases structural rigidity beyond that of a normal, spot-welded unibody. Mass dampers are then fitted between the unibody's left and right frame members to control the extra vibration inherent in a seam-welded chassis.

Of course, there are extensive suspension changes, too. The Nismo Z gets hollow antiroll bars, so they're lighter than the ones on the regular 370Z. The front bar is just 15 percent stiffer, but the rear antiroll bar is 50 percent stiffer, so the Nismo 370Z should turn in so quick, it'll seem it all happened yesterday already. The front strut tower brace is stiffer, too.

Overall, the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z has 40 percent better front-end rigidity than a regular Nissan 370Z. As for the rear end, it's a huge 140 percent more structurally rigid. Roll stiffness is up 15 percent, too. So, yeah, you're going to notice something's up as soon as you get into the Nismo Z.

Spring rates are 15 percent higher than the regular 370Z in front and 10 percent higher in the rear. We're cautiously hopeful the ride won't be as harsh as on the Nismo 350Z, but aren't about to place any bets. The Nismo has the same 13.7:1 steering ratio as ordinary 370Z coupes, while its brakes are identical to those of the Sport-package 370Z, featuring 14.0-by-1.3-inch front discs and four-piston fixed aluminum calipers and 13.8-by-0.8-inch rear discs and two-piston fixed calipers.

To get that 350-hp rating, Nissan revised the ECM tuning of the VQ37VHR engine and fitted a less restrictive exhaust. The exhaust pipes are laid out in an H configuration for the Nismo 370Z instead of the Y-pipe on the regular Z, and have, of course, been tuned to deliver a deeper sound.

The 350 hp peaks at 7,400 rpm versus 332 at 7,000 rpm in the normal Z. Redline remains 7,500 rpm, though, so you'll really have to work to use that extra power. Torque edges up 6 pound-feet to 276 lb-ft at the same 5,200-rpm threshold.

You can only have the six-speed manual transmission in this car, and it drives the rear wheels through a standard viscous limited-slip differential. Also standard is Nissan's neat SynchroRev Match feature, which gives you one less thing to worry about on the track. Nissan isn't making any 0-60-mph predictions for the Nismo Z, but the company is predicting 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway EPA ratings — the same as for a regular 370Z coupe.

Aside from the black-and-red cloth upholstery and a plaque identifying the car's birth order in the limited-production run, the interior of the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z is the same as every other Z car. But don't go looking for a navigation system or a bunch of subwoofers. This is the track-day Z; you'll have air-conditioning and a basic four-speaker stereo with an aux jack and you'll be happy about it.

Inside Line says: Another out-of-the-box solution from Nissan for those of you who want to track a Z car, and this time the Nismo Z is pretty enough to park in pit lane or your driveway. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor

Looks A LOT nicer than the S-Tune 370z!!!

Looks amazing! :tup: Here are more info

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At a Glance: 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z

The all-new, second generation NISMO 370Z, which is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers
nationwide in June 2009, continues the tradition of the original by offering unique
performance and design attributes that true sports car enthusiasts are looking for – straight
from the factory. Like the limited production NISMO 350Z introduced two years earlier, the
new NISMO 370Z is a tuner-Z® enthusiast's dream, featuring 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft
of torque, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and
special super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. The NISMO 370Z was developed by Nissan's
Specialty Vehicles Group in conjunction with Autech Japan, Nissan's longstanding conversion
partner.

The NISMO 370Z's standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift
Control (VVEL) combines with a refined 4-wheel independent suspension and advanced FM
(Front Midship) platform to offer responsive performance and handling. The NISMO Z®'s
exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine
Computer Module) control help provide responsive upper end power. As expected of a true
performance machine, the NISMO 370Z is offered with only one transmission – a close-ratio
6-speed manual transmission with standard "SynchroRev Match," the world's first
synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission (which allows perfectly matched
heel-toe-like downshifting).

The NISMO 370Z also features a NISMO-branded strut tower brace for enhanced body
rigidity and a pair of performance dampers to manage road-input vibrations and help
contribute to the NISMO 370Z's high levels of stability and performance feel. The NISMO-
tuned suspension includes special springs and stabilizer bars. Unique 5-spoke 19-inch RAYS
forged aluminum-alloy wheels are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-
performance tires. Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) are
also standard on all NISMO 370Zs.

Along with its standout performance, the new NISMO Z® stands out from the crowd with its
dramatic performance-oriented exterior and interior. The functional and fully integrated
aerodynamic body pieces include an extended front nose with a canard design at each
corner for improved downforce and a fully integrated chin spoiler. Special side sills and a
unique rear bumper help control airflow under the vehicle, while the functional rear spoiler
also increases downforce.

The interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and red stitching, a NISMO
tachometer, steering wheel with smooth leather and red parallel stitching, smooth leather-
wrapped shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. A serialized plaque of authenticity is
also matched to each NISMO Z®, identifying its unique serial and model year designation.

Highlights of the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z include:

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Body:
• A high-rigidity body with a dynamic presence and aerodynamic design
• Special NISMO 370Z styling with wide, strong stance expressing dynamic movement
• Unique, fully integrated NISMO body design, including an extended front nose design
with optimized shape for managing airflow, an integrated front chin spoiler, side sills,
and a unique rear bumper and rear spoiler designed to maximize downforce
• 174.3-inch overall length
• Enhanced body rigidity with a NISMO strut tower bar and front and rear Performance
Dampers to manage body damping of vibrations from road input via the tires
• Lightweight aluminum hood, doors and hatchback
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights and LED brake lights with
distinctive "boomerang" design
• Signature vertical door handles, dual remote control mirrors
• Electric rear window defroster
• Front fender-mounted "flashing" Z® emblems/sidemarkers
• Polished exhaust tips
• Five available colors: Pearl White, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red and
Platinum Graphite

Engine and Driveline
• Front engine/rear-wheel drive
• Fourth-generation VQ series 3.7-liter engine, 24-valve DOHC V6 (VQ37VHR), rated at
350 horsepower @ 7,400 RPM, 276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 RPM, red engine cover
• Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) system
• Micro-finished crankshaft and camshaft; small pitch, silent cam chain; drive-by-wire
throttle
• Standard 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with "SynchroRev Match," the world's
first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission allowing perfectly
matched heel-toe-like downshifting
• NISMO-tuned dual exhaust with H-pipe configuration and larger diameter tubes for
reduced exhaust pressure
• Carbon Fiber composite driveshaft
• Standard Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD)

Suspension, Steering and Braking
• NISMO-tuned 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension with use of lightweight
aluminum components
• Double-wishbone front suspension, rear multi-link suspension; NISMO front strut tower
bar; high response shock absorbers
• Large diameter front and rear hollow NISMO-tuned stabilizer bars
• Vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering
• Power-assisted vented front and rear disc brakes, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)
• Nissan Sport Brakes with 14.0-inch front/13.8-inch rear rotors and 4-piston front/2-
piston rear aluminum calipers
• Unique NISMO-branded 19-inch RAYS super lightweight 5-spoke forged-alloy wheels –
19x9.5-inch front, 19x10.5-inch rear
• Yokohama ADVAN Sport P245/40R19 front and P285/35R19 rear tires, Y-rated

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Interior Features
• High quality interior with innovative, driver-centric "three-layer" design with information,
operation and holding layers
• 2-passenger seating with unique driver and passenger seat designs and functions
• Distinctive black and red seat trim with NISMO logo
• Unique smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob
• NISMO signature red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, center instrument panel,
instrument panel console lid, door trim and knee pads
• NISMO tachometer
• NISMO 370Z plaque of authenticity with serial number and model year designation
• Aluminum-trimmed pedals
• Driver's seat shaped to help hold the body firmly in place without interfering with
shifting • 8-way manual driver's seat, 4-way manual passenger's seat with manual seatback fold-
down function
• 3-bay gauge pods, tilt steering column with integrated instrument cluster
• Adjustable front head restraints
• Standard automatic temperature control
• Power windows with auto one-touch up and down feature
• Power door locks with auto locking feature
• Two 12-volt power outlets, four cupholders (two in door panels, two in center console)
• Standard cruise control
• Standard Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Ignition

Safety and Security
• Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags
with seat belt and occupant classification sensors
• Front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags
• 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters
• 3-point ALR/ELR seatbelts (driver's seatbelt ELR only)
• Front seat Active Head Restraints
• Zone Body Construction
• Energy-absorbing steering column
• Standard Vehicle Security System
• Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
• Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Models
• NISMO 370Z Coupe offered in one model (6-speed manual transmission only)