Legit at last -- the Nissan 370Z

After mock-ups in Japanese car mags, spy shots taken at test facilities and speculation over the car’s name, the successor to the Nissan 350Z is finally here in all its official glory. This is the 2009 Nissan 370Z coupe, so called because it has a 3.7-liter V6 engine nestling between those distinctive headlights.

That same engine, which is in the Infiniti G37 (Nissan’s luxury coupe), has 330 horsepower. Although there’s some tuning leeway, the 370Z should have a similar rating. The G37 also has the option of a seven-speed automatic transmission, so expect that to be a choice alongside a six-speed manual.

This is the first full redesign of the Z line since the fifth generation came out in 2003. The generation-six 370Z is said to be slightly wider and shorter than its predecessor, which is good for two reasons. First, because it will enhance the car’s stance, making it even more fun to drive. And second, because the trend is usually for successive generations of cars to get bigger, put on more weight and lose the original spirit. By bucking this trend, it shows that Nissan still cares about the driving enthusiast.

Which is no doubt why the company has been working with the makers of the next big video driving game, “Need for Speed: Undercover,” in which players can drive a virtual version before the real model hits the showrooms in the early part of 2009 (the convertible version is due later as a 2010 model). Apparently, Nissan has been making sure that the digital car has the same characteristics (as near as possible, without real physics getting involved) as the road-going machine.

The Los Angeles Auto Show, taking place in November, will be the first place to see the 370Z in three dimensions.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo credit: Nissan

Comments

[loh6-a]

I bought a Nissan back in the 70's and was so disgusted with the car and the service I swore I would never buy another. Heaven help those that do.

[j cannon]

I agree with Gern. Why do they keep these door handles? I actually inquired about having the door handles on my 350Z painted black but it wasn't possible. I wouldn't kick this new design out of bed but it wouldn't be tops on my wish list either.

[eastwood]

so, this is an extremely similar design to the old 350Z which all looked strikingly like a Crossfire. If you liked the old 350Z than the design of the 370Z shouldn't be a big deal.

[Hussain]

I loved the 240z.....owned a 280zx as well and loved it.
I liked the 300z styling but never drove or owned one. The new one is not impressive, much like what has happened to the classic design of the Jaguar XK'S.

BTW What is with the ugly orange interior?

[Jaylne]

Nice!! :-)
Saying buy buy to my 350!

[hotrod]

At a quick glance, I thought I was looking at a Porsche 911. How long did it take the brain surgeons at Nissan to come up with this "original" design???

[amigo2]

Almost there. Why it took them so long to get back to the design cues that made the original Z so popular is beyond me. This one at least acknowledges that. It needs more of the original in it though, including other performance characteristics.
It's as though it's been lost in the wilderness all these years. No doubt it has had great performance characteristics, but it was as if the soul was taken out of it in the process. I'm sure others have written this. I've never been a follower of Nissan sports cars.
I've always loved the 911, and the Z was just plainly a wannabe. but now it's getting some soul back and I imagine many will take a look.

[David V]

The Z just keeps getting uglier and uglier. Why in the world don't they revive the 300 ZX? Or the original 240 Z?

[joe h]

Looks good to me. All bashers are jealous 350 owners.

[EJ]

Where's the turbo model? If you're going to look that ugly at least be deadly.

[Chris]

This car is gorgeous. The back looks nothing like a Crossfire, and if you think it does, then you're essentially saying that the 350 also looks like a Crossfire, because this car is just a slightly evolved 350. Also kids, remember, the Crosfire came out after the 350z, so the Crossfire looks like a Z, not the Z looking like a Crossfire. The car looks more like a roaster, the silhouette is more refined. Finally Nissan is actually incorperating Infiniti characteristics into Nissan designs; beyond the basic body shape.

[Craig]

The looks are alright. I like it better than the 350z. The most important thing about this car is how it drives though. Is it truly a brilliant sports car, with sublime handling, or is it less than the some of it's parts, a la 350z.

[michaelp]

You guys that keep saying the Z is getting uglier are just getting older. Soon you will be driving buicks. Get with the times people, this car looks fresh and new, and I am an owner of a 350z since the launch date

[uncle charlie]

I owned one of the original 240z models. It was only 20km/h slower than a standard Ferrari Daytona (Ferrari and Jaguar always put race-tuned engines in test cars - the actual cars sold to customers were always much, much slower) and as fast and capable as a Dino (which isn't a Ferrari at all - despite what the owners think) . The Australian models were as fast as a 911 and around the same price.

The 240z could be made much faster very cheaply.. A 30% power increase was as simple as fitting exhaust extractors and a free flow exhaust system.

The 240z had a few problems though. The high speed stability was atrocious due to the nose lifting (easily fixed with a chin spoiler) and the brakes were quite poor (Nissan Patrol front 4 pot calipers and 240k rear disks make a huge difference). They also rusted very rapidly unless you lived in a desert.

The 370z is made to be affordable not a full blown supercar or luxury vehicle. Nissan could easily make a GTR powered 911 direct competitor but they aren't interested.

[blzzarxs]

what is the time for 370z 0-60mph?

[Roger Casanova]

I like it. It is a little too derivative of the 350 but I like every change they've made. My biggest criticism of the 350 was the big, gaping, featureless grille. It actually was taken from the 240 but on the 240 the bumpers tend to conceal it. In the 350 it is just too stark. The 370 adds splitters to the grille and a couple other contours.

I thought the "knife blade" front turn signals on the 350 looked odd and now they are integrated with the headlights which are smaller and have a more distinctive shape - ditto the taillights.
I like the bigger fender flares too. They missed a chance to improve on the odd, conspicuous door handles but at least they're no worse. Supposedly the interior uses higher grade materials. Most importantly: 330+ hp, shorter, wider and LIGHTER - you've got to love that!

[Mr Red Z]

It's so sad that people are bashing this car because of it's looks -- that tells you how many people on this planet think the Z family started with the 350Z. People, this car is not ugly or the product of CGI rendering, those of you who started caring about cars after watching the fast and the furious should study cars pre-2002 so you can discover that this design is obviously Nissan trying to mimick the classic Z design of the 240Z through 300zx (Z31). This body shape handled great and while it looks high the nose shape of the past Z cars would hunker it even lower to the ground after about 65mph. You people need to really grow up . The 350Z was a luxury sports car with a very high potential for mods, not a roadster/muscle Hybrid which is what a Z is supposed to be.

What nissan is doing with the 370Z is completely abandoning the Fast and the Furious Crowd.

[Ray Ares]

The 1978 Datsun 280Z was the best of the line. Still a raw machine, with only a slight refinement - air conditioning, to make those Texas summers easier. And you could actually still service the car yourself - that's half the fun.

Personally, I would have loved it if Nissan brought back the 1978 Z, but this new 370Z is the closest the Z has been to its roots since that era. It may need a few small refinements after its introduciton, but I plan on purchasing one of these when they are available.

All you nay sayers - there are plenty of other automobiles that you can fall in love with and call your own.

[zcrazy]

you know i have always loved all the z cars. Then i went and got a 2003 350z and loved them even more. But the one thing i notice on here that a lot of people are doing is picking the car apart before it has been driven or anything. there has to be trade offs for things the car is now shorter wider and lighter. wich inturn makes it handle a lot better and the most powerful stock z yet. also a list of other upgrades that will make it kick my 350z all over the road. So i say thumbs up nissan, because i like to race time attack and this new z will be perfect or at least a very good improvement over the previous one.

[Santa]

What an Xmas present! (depending on availability?)
I will be back in the States in December following a seven year absence, make mine Silver with Black leather please.

[Billy]

For all of you's,who says the 370z is ugly,you must be very ugly yourself.This is one gorgeous sports car for the price.A neck snapper for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Heywood Jablome]

I currently own a 2006 350Z that I absolutely love. The Z33 has always been a great looking design, but after six years, needed a refresh.

I've been considering a new car, and was eagerly waiting to see what the 2009 Z would look like. Well, Nissan, thanks for making my decision easier. This car is hideous. The lights, the A-pillars, the rear-end, the roofline, the shape of the door windows...I could go on and on. It looks like a modern-day Gremlin.

Fortunately, with this economy, I should be able to pick up an '08 for a song.

[andy]

do a google search threres a 370z without the old 350z door handles looks good. the headlights also dont look bad at all in this pic. I have to say i like it an equal amount to the 350z but as with the 350z with no turbos its still never going to be as wild as a mildly worked 300zx

[Steve R Boyd]

TO ALL YOU NITPICKERS.

As someone who has actually driven this car I can't believe your more concerned about the doorhandles the taillights and the headlamps than how the car drives, It's an outstanding car to drive sounds and looks wonderful it goes around corners too.

But I guess you yanks wouldn't know anything about cornering would you.

btw It's great in a straight line so you'll be ok.

Lot's of Love from across the pond.

Steve.

[Bilz]

I own a 350Z, and the 370 style is a big refinement of it. Not a lot of change to an already great design, but cleaning it up and flairing it out is what it needed to move on. As usual Nissan did a great job with the final product. All of the indentations which were water catchers when you wash it have been removed, i.e. back up lights, front reflectors, groves in hood. The only thing I don't like is the wheel design. There are so many things that can be done with wheels, like turbines, or anything to get away from the typical spoke design. Over all a nice transition from the 350Z. I can see myself in one a few years from now.