Reviews
Gallery 1
They say self-possession comes with age, and it certainly seems to be coming to the Nissan 370Z.
Last year, as a toe-dipping exercise before really establishing its Nismo performance sub-brand, Nissan gave its now five-year-old V6-engined rear-drive coupe an official motorsport makeover.
The result could best be described as a momentary identity crisis. It involved some serious body and chassis stiffening and some crass aftermarket-catalogue body addenda, and frankly gave this simple muscle coupe a bit too much performance attitude for its own good.
It also gets new Recaro bucket seats and a more subtle but no less purposeful-looking bodykit, with unique front and rear bumpers and side sills – plus a much less aggressive rear wing – replacing the apparently do-it-yourself styling mods of before.
Under the skin, the body braces and upgrades to the braking system and powertrain applied to the last Nismo are carried over, but both spring and damper rates have been reduced.
Show the Nissan a bumpy, twisting lane, however, and you’ll quickly become aware that this isn’t a true sports car. The wheel control isn’t dexterous enough, and the damping is still too digital. Never are you more aware of the Zed’s weight than when the chassis attempts to pummel the road flat rather than flow over it.
On faster, well-sighted A-roads the Nismo finds its niche. That tremulous V6 conjures real pace where you can let it rev, and the chassis and steering take to smoother, gentler curves more naturally.
Nissan Australia is planning to bring all three cars in the current Nismo line-up – including the 447kW GT-R and less exciting Juke – to Oz, but has been unable say exactly when, citing delays caused by overseas demand.
It’s believed that Nissan Australia wants Japan to sign off on a Nismo-stamped Pulsar, which would provide a higher-volume-based Nismo vehicle, before securing a line-up for local showrooms.
When this flagship Zed finally does land here, it’s clear that what we’ll get is not an out-and-out sports car, more an effusive, big-hearted, sporting GT. And in recognising that, Nissan has finally allowed the 370Z the freedom simply to do what it does. And it does that as well as any of its forebears.
3 out of 5 stars
Specs
Engine: 3696cc V6, DOHC, 24v Power: 253kW @ 7400rpm Torque: 371Nm @ 5200rpm Weight: 1460kg 0-100km/h: 5.2sec Price: TBA
