AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 115Nissan axed 370Z prices by
$7000 in mid-2017, so although
it’s one of the oldest sports cars
on the market, dating from 2009,
it’s now a bargain, especially the
base model coupe.
The 3.7-litre V6 VQ engine
delivers 245kW at 7000rpm and
363Nm at 5200rpm, matched
with a six-speed manual at
$50,490 or a seven-speed
automatic priced at $52,990.
The Roadster costs
$61,990/$64,490 respectively.
A Nismo coupe, with
253kW/371Nm, stiffer suspension,
upgraded brakes and Recaro
seats, is $61,490/$63,990.
The 370 reaches 100km/h in
just 5.4 seconds, which is still
competitive in performance car
territory.
The 370 is Japan’s version of
a musclecar and there’s nothing
refi ned about it. The heavy
manual gearbox has an auto
blipping action when you shift
down a gear. It really works,
so even if you have two left feetyou can attack a tight bend like
a hero, with the right quota of
revs guaranteed.
If you’re timid, the Z feels a bit
like a tractor. Get stuck into it
and it becomes more athletic and
graceful. The steering is superbly
weighted and accurate at speed
but the brakes, though powerful
when you lean on the pedal, lack
feel and initial bite.
The ride is hard but not
harsh and the suspension
does absorb a nasty surface
reasonably effi ciently, although
cross braces at both ends don’t
entirely eliminate body fl ex. Tyre
noise from the Yokohamas is
excruciatingly loud.
The GT-style seat has good
upper body support but the
cushion is too short. If you’re
taller than 180cm you’ll also
want some more travel.
The price cuts put the 370Z into
Golf R/Focus RS/Honda Civic Type
R hot hatch territory. As a mean,
hairy, old school rear-wheel drive
performance coupe, the Nissan’s
got a lot of appeal. Its closest rival,
in character and performance, is
Subaru’s WRX STi.Nissan’s GT-R will show its
pipes to a Porsche 911 Turbo,
a Ferrari 488 or a Lamborghini
Huracán — and you also get
$200,000–$300,000 change.
The GT-R costs $189,000.
That’s an absolute bargain in the
supercar context, because the
GT-R is certainly one of those.
Its 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6
engine produces 419kW of power
at 6800rpm and 632Nm of torque
from 3300–5800rpm.
Drive goes to all wheels with
a rear bias and the suspension
features adjustable dampers.
There’s a moment of delay
from idle as boost pressure
increases, then the Nissan leaps
forward, accelerating violently
through short second and third
gears, driven by an unstoppable
rush of torque which can break
rear-wheel grip in third.
It’s a big beastie but it also
feels lighter than its 1.75 tonnes
and fi nely balanced, with noneof the front-heavy leadenness of
some all-wheel drivers.
Its centre of gravity feels to be
about 5cm above the bitumen.
Nissan also offers the Track
Edition, at $227,000, with some
pukka NISMO race engineering
bits, including a suspension
package, adhesive bonding on
the body which improves rigidity,
six-spoke forged aluminium
20-inch RAYS wheels and fl ared
front guards to accommodate
the upgraded wheel/suspension
package. A carbon fi bre rear
spoiler, Recaro seats and black
leather are also included in the
Track Edition..
The NISMO coupe, at $299,000,
is a track fi t fl yer, with 441kW
of power. It hits the 100km/h
mark in a claimed 2.7 seconds,
0.2 seconds qucker than the
Lamborghini Aventador S.NISSAN 370Z FROM
Safety
Not yet tested
Green Vehicle
GuidePerformanceHandlingQuality and
reliabilityComfort and
refi nementValue for money
Overall
STARS
THINGS WE LIKE
Japanese musclecar vibe
Smokin’ performance
Flat, sharp handling
Excellent value for money
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Going deaf
Hard ride
Trying to work out how to plug
in your music player
Lack of driving position adjustment
SPEX (manual Coupe)
Made in Japan
3.7-litre V6 petrol/six-speed
manual/rear-wheel drive
245kW of power at 7000rpm;
363Nm of torque at 5200rpm
0–100km/h in 5.3 seconds (claimed)
7.8L/100km highway; 15.2L/100km
city; 95 octane premium; CO 2
emissions are 249g/km
Warranty: Five years/unlimited
kilometres
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, Bluetooth, 19-inch alloy
wheels, navigation, heated seats,
cloth/leather upholstery
Redbook future values: 3yr: 46%;
5yr:30%compare with ...
Ford Focus RS, Honda Civic Type R,
Subaru WRX STi, VW Golf RNISSAN GT-R FROM $189,000
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
Lawyer’s bills
Not having a licence
The attention
No spare
SPEX (^) Made in Japan
(^) 3.8-litre twin turbo V6/six-speed
automated manual/all-wheel drive
(^) 419kW of power at 6800rpm/632Nm
of torque from 3300–5800rpm
(^) 0–100km/h in 2.7 seconds (claimed)
8.8L/100km highway; 16.9L/100km
city; 98 octane premium; CO 2
emissions are 278g/km
(^) Warranty: Five years/unlimited km
Standard: Six airbags, stability
control, leather/fake suede
upholstery, heated front seats,
dual-zone automatic air, eight-inch
touchscreen infotainment, Bluetooth
connectivity, Bose sound, 40GB hard
disc drive, USB port, navigation,
reversing camera, tyre pressure
monitoring, six-piston Brembo front
brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels
(^) Redbook future values: 3yr: 59%;
5yr: 49%
THINGS WE LIKE
0–100km/h in RIGHT NOW!
An absolute bargain
Mind-blowing performance
Incredible grip and traction
Electronics don’t dominate the drive
Safety
Not yet tested
Green Vehicle
Guide
Performance
Handling
Quality and
reliability
Comfort and
refi nement
Value for money
Overall
STARS
compare with ...
Ferrari 488, Lamborghini Huracán,
Mercedes AMG GTS, Porsche 911 GT3
NISSAN 370Z FROM $50,490