by Nick Kurczewski
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster: Nissan adds more muscle, but doesn’t forget the importance of good manners.
I’d be a rich man – or at least a more popular one – if my personal gym routine was as strict as the one Nissan imposed on the 370Z Roadster. The last generation 350Z Roadster was already far from being the kind of car we’d ever consider an automotive couch potato. No comment need be made regarding my own television viewing (or dining) habits.
Back in 2002, Nissan started from a clean sheet of paper when it launched the 350Z Coupe and, two years later, followed it up with the 350Z Roadster. Both had a sexy shape, a high-revving V-6 engine under the hood, and a price-tag within reach of everyday driving enthusiasts. The 2010 370Z Roadster isn’t dramatically different from the outgoing model, mainly because there wasn’t that much which needed fixing.
The tried and tested rear wheel-drive, two-passenger sports car blueprint is still there. But Nissan has managed to add some much-needed luxury into the cabin – more on this later – while upping the power output of the engine and trimming overall curb-weight by about 200 pounds. Like I said, this car has gone through one serious workout!
The basis for the improved 370Z is a “tighter, lighter package,” according to the press materials Nissan provided before a test drive through stunning California countryside surrounding San Jose. Nissan managed to increase the strength of the new chassis anywhere from 10 to 60 percent, depending on the body structure being tested.
In the real world outside the lab, this means the Nissan 370Z Roadster is simply one fantastic little sports car to drive. On ribbons of road that twist their way through pine-covered mountains and along the rugged Pacific coastline, the 370Z Roadster proved to be one of those rare cars that feels comfortable, easy to use, and loads of fun within the first couple miles.
The steering offers an excellent feel as to what each of the 19-inch alloy wheels is doing. And the powerful disc brakes with standard ABS ensures all this fun comes to a quick stop when confronted by, say, a sinuous mountain road that inexplicably turns into a bumpy gravel lane with heart-stopping cliffs on either side. Note to the editor: don’t ever trust me with a map.
Okay, the exhaust note could be more aggressive. But to be honest, the gentle V-6 growl will satisfy most people. The 3.7-liter V-6 has grown in size from the previous Z-car and, in the process, it now offers 332 horsepower (versus 306hp in the outgoing model) at 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed automatic is available.
I spent time behind the wheel of the slick shifting manual and, if you’re a driving enthusiast, this is the ideal choice. Smooth clutch action and a precise shift-gate would make even congested city driving a breeze. It did take time to get used to the “SynchroRev Match” system, which blips the throttle to smooth out shifts. Nissan says it gives a driver “professional-like heel-toe downshifts.” Problem is, for those who enjoy heel-toe shifting on their own, the system only gets in the way. Thankfully, you can turn it off.
Nissan went to great lengths to explain that the new hydraulically-operated convertible top is sleeker-looking when up, smoother in operation, more compact when stowed, and has a cloth inner liner to hide the folding mechanism. Except the gorgeous sunny weather meant we kept the top permanently down during our drive. Should the weather gods finally arrive to spoil the fun, a push of a button and roughly 20 seconds is all you’ll need to stay dry.
Not everything is perfect with the 370Z Roadster. The interior is vastly better looking with much higher quality plastics than the old model. But why did Nissan keep an awkwardly large flap on the center of the dash to hide a surprisingly small storage space? It’s worth ordering the optional satellite navigation simply to fill in the dead space with something more useful and attractive.
Other niggles include a steering wheel that feels too thin and slippery for a car competing with the Porsche Boxster and BMW Z4. And while I’m complaining, the seats are plenty comfortable (and available with heating and cooling systems), but could use more side support for high-speed driving excitement. Adjustable lumbar support just wasn’t enough.
Nissan has not only trimmed the weight of the 370Z Roadster, it has also streamlined the lineup to a Base and Touring model. An entry-level 370Z Roadster begins at a MSRP of $36,970 – which Nissan mentioned is only $100 more than the 2009 350Z Roadster. A Touring model like our test car adds a pumping Bose audio system, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, and 4-way power seats. Extras like sat/nav and the sport brakes fitted to our test vehicle are optional, but only on the pricier Touring model. Fully loaded with the Sports Package and every available gizmo, pricing tops out around $43,320.
That makes the 370Z Roadster a very tempting proposition and should help maintain its popularity in the sports car world. Now if only I can convince those clever Nissan engineers to give me some tips for the treadmill, lat pull-down and pec-deck…
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