ShareThisCruising through a California redwood forest on a roller-coaster, two-lane roadway gains a new dimension when the car is a drop-top, high-performance roadster like the Nissan 370Z.
Towering evergreens and eucalyptus scent the air while casting the driver in deep shadow on the state highways that roam the hills from San Jose, Calif., to the Pacific Ocean.
Equipped with paddle shifters to control the seven-speed automatic transmission, the 370Z Roadster handles the twisting trail with remarkable finesse. When the opportunity to accelerate arrives, the Z rockets to the next bend in the road, where the brake pedal demonstrates its prowess.
Even if you aren't blessed with the moderate climate of Northern California, the Z Roadster is truly an inspirational car. Building on the legacy of a model that redefined Nissan, the Roadster arrives in showrooms about a year after the 370Z Coupe.
Like the coupe, the Roadster's redesign is more muscular, despite the fact that it weighs less than the previous generation 350Z. The wheelbase is nearly four inches shorter (100.4 inches versus 104.3 inches) and overall length is reduced by 2.6 inches (167.2 inches versus 169.8 inches). But the track grows by 0.5-inch in the front and 2.2-inches in the rear for better handling.
An aluminum hood, door panels and trunk help make the car 150 pounds lighter than the 350Z. Still, the Roadster is about 200 pounds heavier than the coupe.
Despite the weight reduction, the body structure gained more rigidity and stability through additional structural reinforcement including the A-pillars and side sills.
Retaining the long hood and short deck that characterize the Z legacy, the Roadster's new design features a canvas top with a sloping rear roofline that emulates that of the coupe's fastback style. A high waistline, shard-like headlights and tail lamps, and bulging fenders pushed to the corners enhance the aggressive look of the body.
Nissan considered using a retractable hardtop like that offered by some upscale roadsters but decided not to sacrifice trunk capacity. The top folds down automatically into a compartment just ahead of the trunk, which is capacious enough for golf clubs and a week's worth of groceries.
The standard black convertible top has a fabric inner liner, which helps reduce noise in the cabin, along with an enlarged glass rear window with an electric rear window defroster. Lowering the top takes about 20 seconds and is controlled by either a center console-mounted switch or by a button on the doors. The automatic latch system secures the top to the windshield header, meaning the driver does not have to flip any latches. The shape and position of the glass wind deflector between the fixed headrest bars reduces turbulence.
On the interior, Nissan updated materials and patterns. The position of the speedometer, tachometer, fuel and heat gauges keeps them visible while you're turning the steering wheel. Other gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster. The gauges for the gas and engine temperature are replaced by LED meters.
The Roadster goes on sale in mid-September in base and Touring trim, with a starting price of $36,970, an increase of $100 over the 350Z Roadster.
Standard features include Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature and a center console box with a non-intrusive cover design.
Other features include automatic climate control, two 12-volt power outlets, three cup holders and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.
The touring model adds heated and cooling leather power net seats, a six-CD Bose audio system with eight speakers (with dual subwoofer) and MP3/WMA playback, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink Universal Transceiver, and aluminum-trimmed pedals.
As a performer, the 370Z is more subtle than a V8-powered Chevrolet Corvette but extremely impressive in all driving circumstances.
The 332-horsepower 3.7-liter, double overhead camV6 engine comes with a choice of seven-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio six-speed manual with optional SynchroRev Match. Touted as the world's first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission, the SynchroRev Match revs the engine as you're downshifting to improve fluidity of control.
Safety features include dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, door-mounted curtain air bags and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.
In building on the legacy of Nissan's Z, the new Roadster does a great job of advancing the mission, even in a deep recession. Collectors will certainly cherish this generation.
WHAT'S NEW: Complete redesign of Roadster for 2010 model year.
PLUSES: Styling, performance, collector value, reasonable price.
MINUSES: Margin of safety, practicality.
BOTTOM LINE: Even more beautiful and better equipped than 350Z.
(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)
AUTOS TODAY
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