RSS
Home
Road Test: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport car reveiw: Brutal, in the nicest way
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
.jpg)
There are two kinds of sports car styling: pretty and brutal. Guess which the 2009 Nissan 370Z is, and the answer sure isn’t pretty. If the Nissan 350Z had something of an exotic chic to it, the 370Z is a functional brute wearing muscles and a sleeveless T-shirt. Forget the genteel curves of a Jaguar XK, the 370Z wears work gloves.
That would be silly if the Nissan 370Z couldn’t do the heavy lifting, but that it can. The brief rundown of its credentials: 332-horse V-6, lightweight 3,200-lb chassis, refined aluminum-intensive lightweight suspension, big brakes, big tires and big wheels, and precious little that’s not needed. There’s only one cupholder.
More detailed info about the engine: It’s perhaps the ultimate-to-date evolution of Nissan’s acclaimed VQ engine series, here in 3.7 liters. Variable valve timing and lift give it a broad torque curve despite peaking at 5200 rpm. The engine revs to 7500 and the engine feels limber all the way there, making a ripping good six cylinder sound doing so. We recommend finding a tunnel and enjoying it in surround sound. It will be good for you.
In many reviews, the transmission is a second thought. Not so with the Nissan 370Z. Although a seven-speed rev-matching automatic is an option, our test 370Z came with the optional SynchroRev Match six-speed manual gearbox. The gearbox’s novelty is that, like paddle-shift automatic and “automatic manual” transmissions, it matches revs on downshifts. Push in the clutch, move the gear lever to a lower gear, let the clutch out and voila, the engine matches the road speed with no muss, no fuss and no herky-jerky engagement…and no need for the delicate heel-and-toe skills that some of us have practiced and developed over decades of sports car driving.
Naturally, for anyone missing that, there’s a button on the console to turn it off.
Other than that, the gearshift lever isn’t exactly light. Rather there’s a sturdy manly-man feel to it. The clutch take-up, however, is sudden and it makes it hard to shift smoothly when during casual driving. The good news is that the transmission doesn’t tighten up and clutch will release at max revs, making fast shift possible when it counts. All is forgiven.What we don’t like is what old-timers call a “dashpot” effect. The engine doesn’t lose revs quickly in neutral, taking all the fun out of blipping the throttle. It comes out more like bliiiiiiip. Not sporting.
Defining the term “sports car” is a classic argument starter among sports car enthusiasts, but no one argues about the ability to go around corners. And that the Nissan 370Z does almost all too well. On our local winding roads, we could have gone far faster than limited sight distances would deem prudent. The SynchroRev transmission mentioned above came as part of the Sport package that also includes a viscous limited slip differential, 19-inch “RAYS (looks like spiders) forged alloy wheels, and staggered front/rear tires. Sports cars are always about want over need, but the Sport package, which also includes front and rear spoilers and upgraded brakes, leaves need somewhere back around Turn One.
To max out the enjoyment of the 370Z, join a car club or do whatever it takes to get time on a road course. Like driving through a tunnel, it will be good for you.
Regardless of the definition of sports car, somewhere there’s a clause about performance taking priority over utility and personal comfort. Utility? The Nissan 370Z has a couple of bins behind the seats, good for tossing oddments that in most sports cars wind up uncomfortably under the passenger’s knees or inconveniently back in the trunk. Not so with the Z.
Of course, the Nissan 370Z doesn’t have a trunk. Rather it has a cargo platform under the hatchback’s rear window. Everything and anything brought aboard is in a smash-and-grab store window. Not that we’ve ever experienced it, but parking lot safety gurus always warn about leaving stuff in plain sight…
The big tires on the 370Z are great for grip but they make the interior of the car like the inside of a jet right behind the engine’s exhaust outlet. There’s a roar at highway speeds that never goes away, loud enough to discourage conversation, this despite a relaxed engine speed.
See more photos; view the photo gallery below.
Driver comfort a requisite for driver control, Nissan has provided two different seats for the 370Z, a relatively normal sport seat for the passenger but the driver’s side gets a specially contoured bottom cushion shaped so it doesn’t interfere with eh driver’s legs while using the pedals.
The main instruments are in a binnacle attached to the steering column. Tilt the steering wheel up, the instrument panel goes with it. Lower the wheel and the i.p. comes down as well. The tach is centered and larger than last year, all the better to see you with. Secondary instruments are in mini-binnacles over the center of the dash, reminiscent of the dash pods of the original Datsun 240Z and as much a trademark of the Z car as portholes are for Buick.
One sits low in the Nissan 370Z, with a high cowl that blocks the view of the front corners, which would make maneuvering through autocross cones more difficult. Rear quarter vision is nil and the view out the back is how a piece of bread looks at the world from a toaster.
The Nissan 370Z is a close-coupled sports car, with a wheelbase almost four inches shorter (104.3 inches versus 100.4) than the 350Z it replaces. Essentially, the rear wheels have been moved forward; it can be seen in the amount of sheet metal between the rear edge of the doors and the front edge of the rear wheel well opening. The overall length was reduced by 2.7 inches, remarkable considering that the front overhang was increased by 1.2 inches.
Anyone who has paddled a short versus long canoe with the same beam (OK, a relatively small audience there) knows all other things being equal, the shorter canoe is slower. Nissan engineers worked their white lab coats to the bone to achieve the 0.30 coefficient of drag (0.29 with the Sport package, despite the wider tires) with the 370Z. Reportedly more than 200 rear quarter panel patterns were made and wind tunnel tested to make the Z a slippery short canoe.
Other Nissan engineers would be upset if we didn’t mention the increase in rigidity, thanks to a more rigid body structure, a new front suspension cradle, new rear structural reinforcements and an “underbody V-bar,” and even carbon fiber radiator housing. Bending was decreased by double digit percentages. Chassis engineers get no respect.
That the 2009 Nissan 370Z is an outstanding sports car is apparent, but at this point we’re supposed to talk money and value and such, and one of the great damning by faint praise phrases is “a good car for the money.” That always comes off as, “It could be better if you weren’t so cheap.”
That said, the base price on our test 2009 Nissan 370Z was $29,930. Adding the Sport Package adds $3,000, but why one would buy this sports car without going all the way defies logic to us. It increases the purchase price by ten percent, but if one is making a commitment to a sports car, it should be a full commitment. On the other hand, Nissan charges $115 for floor mats. Floor mats, like WiFi in hotel rooms, should be standard equipment. There are more options, of course. Our test 370Z came without navigation, leaving a large upholstered door in the middle of the dash, but leaving more cash in the buyer’s pocket (to spend on the Sport package).For the record, we recorded 17.4 mpg on the car’s trip computer for the week we drove it. When it was delivered to us, the computer was showing 20.6 mpg. We suspect the latter was the result of (a) more highway miles, and (b) a gentler right foot. So sue us. It’s a sports car.
We think that’s the kind of sports car the 2009 Nissan 370Z is, or at least should be. Of course, the narrowed focus of a hard core sports car would mean fewer sales for Nissan and a decreased likelihood of the Z car being produced. So while the softer size of Z may be fine for some, we’re rather fond of the brutal edge of the 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport—T-shirt, muscles, work gloves and all.
Illustrations: 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport. All photos by John Matras.
Subscribe for email updates, or follow John on twitter @AutoReview.
| Layout | Front engine/front-wheel drive; unit-body |
| Engine | 3.7L/332-hp DOHC 24-valve V-6 |
| Construction, block / head | aluminum / aluminum |
| Displacement, cc | |
| Compression ratio | 11.0:1 |
| Horsepower, @ rpm | 332 @ 7000 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rpm | 270 @ 5200 |
| Maximum engine speed, rpm | 7500 |
| Recommended fuel | Premium unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-sp manual w/ rev-match downshift |
| Brakes, type | 4-wheel disc |
| Disc dia., front / rear, in. | 14.0 / 13.8 |
| Caliper, front / rear | Fixed 4-piston front, 2-piston rear / aluminum |
| Anti-lock brakes, brake force dist. | Std./std. |
| Steering, type | Power rack-and-pinion |
| Turning diameter, ft | 34.1 |
| Suspension, front | Double wishbone, aluminum, anti-roll bar |
| Rear | Multi-link aluminum |
| Wheels, type, size f ./ r | Forged aluminum, 19 x 9 / 19 x 10 |
| Tires, type, size f / r | Bridgestone Potenza RE050A, 245/40R19 / 275 /35R19 |
| Dimensions and capacities | |
| Length, in. | 167.2 |
| Width, in. | 72.8 |
| Height | 51.9 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 200.4 |
| Cargocapacity, cu ft | 6.9 |
| Fuel tank, U.S. gallons | 19.0 |
| Performance | |
| Fuel econ., EPA city/why |
.
| Base price | $29,930 |
| Standard features: Bi-functional Xenon auto on-off headlamps, 8-way adjust. driver's seat, 4-way adjust. passenger seat, tilt wheel, proximity key with pushbutton start, cruise control, power windows w/ auto up/down, speed sensitive power door locks, rear window defroster, AM/FM/CD/aux audio w/ four speakers, front/side/side curtain airbags, stability control, traction control, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist | std |
| Carpeted floor mats | 115 |
| Sport package: SynchroRev Match manual transmission, viscous limited slip differential, 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels, 245/40R19 - 275/35R19 tires, front chin and rear spoiler, Nissan sport brakes | 3,000 |
| Destination charge | 695 |
| Total MSRP | $33,740 |
Related Articles:
Comments
Take that, reputation of cheap and chintzy. We almost tried to start the engine but realized the it was running--thanks, Mr. Tachometer--just before …
We told you about the 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder, a special stripped-down and hotted-up version of the Porsche Boxster S in an article yesterday. The …
- 2010 Reviews
- 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS
- 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- 2010 Ford Taurus Limited AWD
- 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
- 2010 Hyundai Elantra SE
- 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
- 2010 Kia Forte
- 2010 Lexus HS 250h
- 2010 Lexus IS 350 C
- 2010 Lexus RX350
- 2010 Lexus RX 450h
- 2010 Mazda CX-7 i Sport
- 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic
- 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
- 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S
- 2010 Toyota Prius
- 2010 Toyota Prius II
- 2009 Reviews
- 2009 Acura TSX
- 2009 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T quattro
- 2009 Audi A6 3.0 TSFI
- 2009 BMW 135i Coupe
- 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive 3.5i
- 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 4WD
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT
- 2009 Chevrolet Kodiak pickup truck
- 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
- 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
- 2009 Chevrolet Traverse FWD LTZ
- 2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD
- 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad 4x4
- 2009 Ford Fiesta
- 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
- 2009 Ford Fusion SEL I-4
- 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-2
- 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
- 2009 Honda Fit Sport w/Nav
- 2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL
- 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8
- 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
- 2009 Infiniti M45x
- 2009 Jaguar XF Premium Luxury
- 2009 Jaguar XKR Porfolio Coupe
- 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4
- 2009 Kia Borrego
- 2009 Kia Borrego EX 4x4
- 2009 Land Rover LR3
- 2009 Lincoln MKZ
- 2009 Lotus Exige S 260 Sport
- 2009 Lotus Exige S
- 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S
- 2009 Mazda Mazda6 s Grand Touring
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
- 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 4WD
- 2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring
- 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport
- 2009 Nissan Murano SL AWD
- 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z
- 2009 Pontiac G6 4-cyl
- 2009 Pontiac G8
- 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
- 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD
- 2009 Porsche Boxster RS60
- 2009 Saturn Aura XR 4-cyl
- 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid
- 2009 Scion xB
- 2009 Subaru Legacy 3.0R Limited
- 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD Technology
- 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner
- 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Highlander/Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS
- 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cyl. 4WD
- 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
- 2009 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD
- 2009 Toyota Venza 4-cyl. AWD
- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
- 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Matic
- 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI
- 2008 Reviews
- 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell
- 2008 Bentley Continental GT
- 2008 BMW X6 xDrive 5.0i
- 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- 2008 Kia Amanti
- 2008 Lexus IS-F
- 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR
- 2008 Nissan Cube JDM
- 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line
- 2008 Scion xD
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo
- 2008 Volkswagen Toureg V8
- 2008 Volvo XC70 3.2
- 2008 Volvo XC70 D5
- 1971 Honda N600
