Nissan 370Z vs Infiniti Q60: Blood Brothers
Nissan's Zed got a bit unruly for you? Don't forget there's an Infiniti alternative...
Well for starters, most of you probably have no idea what it is. That's because up to now it's been primarily targeted at US buyers, who have bought quite a few. And because Infiniti has just changed the model name, from G37 to Q60. But it does boast an almost identical engine, four usable seats and Infiniti's take on the automatic 370Z's seven-speed automatic transmission.
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Hardcore coupe lovers need not look away however, because Nissan very sensibly hedged its bets - with its latest NISMO 370Z offering the polar opposite in terms of a coupe driving experience. You need to be on your mettle to wring the very best out of it - but it's guaranteed to get you noticed.
That said, even a 'standard' 370Z coupe will garner plenty of admiration, but it's the NISMO that most contemporary Zed-heads lust after. The Storm White 2014 version you see there is the latest branch in Nissan's Z-car family tree, a lineage stretching right back to the seminal 240Z. And you can still detect hints of that very first Zed car's Jaguar E-Type-meets-Dodge Charger styling in this latest Z34 offering.
Japanese and American buyers have been able to enjoy a NISMO-tweaked 370Z (or Fairlady Z) since 2009, but we had to wait until 2013 to get our hands on Nissan's official 370Z range-topper. Just like the Juke before it, Nissan's motorsport engineers have added a good deal of visual drama to the standard 370Z - with a striking bodykit that improves airflow both over and under the car, 19-inch RAYS alloys shod with 245/40 (front) and 275/35 (rear) rubber, a NISMO sports exhaust, bi-xenon headlamps, red aluminium brake callipers, a uniquely-numbered plaque and of course lashings of NISMO branding and logos.
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Under the bodywork however the changes are much less dramatic. The six-speed manual Coupe (the only option in the UK) comes with enhanced synchro rev control, sports brake hoses, suspension retuned for European roads and an engine remap, which lifts power to 344hp at 7,400rpm. 62mph arrives in 5.2 seconds, so it's a smidgen quicker than a standard 370Z but unfortunately the NISMO's asking price has risen a lot more than the power output: at £36,995 on the road it's 10 grand more than the 'base' model 370Z, and five grand more than a fully-loaded 370Z GT Coupe. And that seems excessive. It's almost exactly the same price as a brand-new entry-level Infiniti Q60 Coupe.
Recently rebadged from G37 (which was first launched in the UK in 2009) the base model Q60 costs £36,780 OTR; whilst the S version - which is almost identical to the 2013 model-year G37S you see here - will set you back £38,670. But for that you do get full leather, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, Bluetooth, sat-nav, front and rear parking sensors, electric memory sports seats, the option of intelligent cruise control and a wide range of potential paint colours - unlike the UK 370Z Nismo which is only available in white, black and silver.
The G37/Q60's Nissan-derived 3,696cc V6 is good for 320hp at 7,000rpm, but performance is slightly down on the Nismo 370Z (62mph in 5.9 seconds) because Nissan's FM platform has been stretched, and substantial sound-deadening material has been added. Leaving the G37 weighing in at a pretty hefty 1,718kg. Excessive once again. On the plus side however the understated Infiniti does possess two very handy rear seats.
A common platform is just one part of these two coupes' shared DNA. Both are manufactured in Japan, with the Nismo 370Z produced at Nissan's Tochigi plant - with input from Nismo engineers from Yokohama. And both Nissan and Infiniti were happy to tell us more about the cars' common genetics - the engine in particular is almost identical. Just a bespoke NISMO sports exhaust and a remap separate the G37 from the Nissan, whilst the Infiniti's seven-speed automatic transmission is a reprogrammed version of that found in the standard Nissan 370Z auto. The rear limited-slip diff too is almost identical and some of the hidden electrical systems are the same.
But Infiniti, now based in Hong Kong, is still keen to be seen as a completely separate brand from Nissan - and in terms of the finished product these two coupes really do appear very different. Not only are they differently styled, inside and out, but almost all of the materials used in the cabins seem different too. And the G37 is a genuine four-seater. Some serious differences in form and function then, but both siblings in this branch of the Nissan family share the same genetic disorder - a serious lack of exposure. Especially the Infiniti which almost no one seems to be know. To put this in context, UK Nissan 370Z sales have already topped 1,900, however the 370Z NISMO (which is admittedly much more of a niche product) has sold just 73 UK examples so far. Yet that's still a figure that easily exceeds Infiniti G37/Q60 Coupe sales.
But although both coupes suffer from low UK sales, it doesn't mean that they are bad to drive. Far from it. The Infiniti in particular has a surprising jump-in-and-go simplicity - intuitive controls, everything in a logical place, plenty of poke. It's a paddleshift auto of course, so you're never totally on top of the gears, but changes are quick, positive and largely unobtrusive. Those familiar with the AMG Sport versions of six-cylinder Mercedes coupes will feel very much at home in the G37 cabin - deep, supportive leather seats, foot-operated parking brake, plenty of executive toys and a sports button which sharpens up the steering, throttle response and suspension as well as enabling you to change gear pretty swiftly with the paddles. Shifts with the gearstick aren't quite as slick though.
It's a premium GT car rather than a balls-out sports coupe, so compared to its flashy 370Z NISMO cousin the steering - though strangely better-weighted than the NISMO's - isn't especially precise, the supple ride and looser chassis aren't really designed for focused cornering and the brakes don't feel quite as effective probably something to do with carrying an extra 183kg. In essence it's the Nissan's wiser, older brother. But it's still a quick and luxurious drive, and it's easy to travel fast in the G37 without any kerfuffle.
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A pity then that the styling is somewhat uninspiring. There's no recognisable corporate design hook, and although from almost all angles the Infiniti looks perfectly acceptable, nothing about it really stirs the blood. The curvy exterior looks are just too safe and the contemporary cabin - whilst well made and boasting some attractive visual touches (like an expensive-looking analogue clock, illuminated sills and cool-looking Infiniti-badged sports seats) - doesn't feel premium enough.
In stark contrast the 370 NISMO could have come straight from a Fast and Furious set, but don't expect a contemporary sports car drive - in spite of the makeover it's very definitely old-school. The snarly six-pot boasts plenty of torque but it doesn't really like to rev, the wide tyres mean the car just loves to follow every camber and the chassis is super-stiff but unforgiving on even slightly-rutted surfaces. The gear-change is pretty meaty too and the rear visibility as limited as some supercars.
The NISMO always feels quick though and the brakes are extremely reassuring, whilst the cabin - with its dash-mounted pods, thick Alcantara-rimmed steering wheel and triple dials which move with the wheel - feels every inch the part. And the Nissan's cabin feels different despite same sat-nav and infotainment systems as the G37. A la mode rather than neo-classic, focused rather than cosy.
Apparently you can buy one in black or silver too, but all the cars we've seen are white, and with those deep dark wheels and contrasting black body-kit you will get noticed. Wherever you go.
But the high asking price means buyer demand has remained low, as it has for the G37/Q60. Consequently prices for both have already dropped quite a bit - you can pick up a Nismo for £29,000, and a G37 for just £18,000. But in a few year's time the insatiable desire for ever more efficient sports cars may leave both of these two V6 cousins floundering - so expect prices to be a lot lower. Perhaps all that excess will ultimately prove a success - just not in the way Nissan or Infiniti had intended, as used cars instead of new.
NISSAN 370Z NISMO COUPE (2014 model)
Engine: 3,696cc V6
Power (hp): 344@7,400rpm
Torque (lb ft): 274@5,200rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Kerb weight: 1,535kg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.2secs
MPG: 26.6 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 248g/km
Price: £28,995 to £36,995
Manufactured: 2013-on
Love it: It's the ultimate UK 370Z and a real head-turner
Loathe it: Overpriced, more colours please
Spotted:2014 Black NISMO, 763 miles, £30,199
INFINITI G37 COUPE (2013 model)
Engine: 3,696cc V6
Power (hp): 320@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 265@5,200rpm
Transmission: 7-speed auto with paddleshift
Kerb weight: 1,718kg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.9secs
MPG: 26.9 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 246g/km
Price: £17,995 to £41,840
Manufactured: 2009-on
Love it: No one knows what it is
Loathe it: No one knows what it is
Spotted: There aren't any coupes on PH right now...
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[Images: Tom Begley]
I love leftfields cars, love Jap stuff and love sports coupes, but I just cannot get excited by them. The styling is just so bland. But then I think the rest of their range is pretty forgetable too.
Also, who are you going to sell it to? Most people don't even know it exists!
And the automatic is god awful, why not put the DCT from the GTR in it?
It's a confused car, makes the most awful sound unless you put an exhaust on it. Was actually embarassing turning it on, sounded like a Golf 2.0TDI.
If I'd had bought the Nismo I would have been soo angry, impossible to sell a used example as people aren't stupid and realise the price is out of control for what you get.
Otherwise off the negatives a pretty car, that is fairly pleasant to drive and with no real drama unless you're going for it.
You can definitely see why the modding scene is so prolific. I'd save my money, get the base coupe (manual) and supercharge/twin turbo it for the £10,000 difference (plus uprated brakes, wouldn't touch the suspension it's perfect for UK bumpy roads).
Here's a picture of my old ride, wish i still had it
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People say things like this as if it's simple. All you'll end up with is an unusable car - I've done it several times now for fun, and it ceases to be a reasonable daily driver overnight. You can run it daily, but you'll be spending a lot of money doing so (in my experience). Plus you'll ruin the one the big plus points - it's naturally aspirated! The best kind of aspiration!
What you'd be much better off doing is trying to shed 200kgs - although I'm not sure how much is realistically possible, as the bodywork is already (mostly?) aluminium. For the same amount of a turbo conversion (always a fortune) you could bin the seats and the wheels, and carbon what isn't already alloy on the body, and maybe save 50kgs, but you're probably better off just buying a better (lighter) car in the first place...
Good article on two forgotten cars, mostly because they're designed with the US market in mind. Re complaints on the Nismo, I think a large part of the appeal is the JDM midnight club mentalness of it all. A poor Yakuza's GT3? Great stuff! Agreed re power and weight but look at how careful Porsche down-gineers the Cayman to fit its product hierarchy? It could also arguably do with being 50bhp more (and £10k less).
DT
ks sake.Good article on two forgotten cars, mostly because they're designed with the US market in mind. Re complaints on the Nismo, I think a large part of the appeal is the JDM midnight club mentalness of it all. A poor Yakuza's GT3? Great stuff! Agreed re power and weight but look at how careful Porsche down-gineers the Cayman to fit its product hierarchy? It could also arguably do with being 50bhp more (and £10k less).
DT
Quicker thank the m3 csl, a45 AMG, m135i, m235i, golfR etc. Don't say that too loudly other wise there will be some upset PHers.
I PERSONALLY would like a lower weight because the car I had before the 370 was an s2000 which was very chuckable. But needs more power? Please. I think the people that say that have been used to turbos whereby 1) lag followed by 2) a big surge to over compensate for the lag meanwhile the power delivery is linear and smooth with the 370z.
Edited because my prices were a bit off.
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