370Z NISMO updated
Hardcore 370Z freshens up and gets ... hang on ... softer and more civilised?
Which is why when Nissan's press release detailing a package of updates for its MY15 370Z Nismo dropped into the PH inbox this morning, it piqued our interest.
Four major points to note: looks, interior, chassis and engine.
Those Fast & Furious visuals have been toned down a touch, with the bluff front end of the previous 370Z NISMO - complete with vast expanse of featureless white plastic - replaced by a finer-boned face. Some may say it's fussier, but the larger air intakes, extra slashes, black headlamps with new LED running lights and Nissan motorsport department's now signature red touches have wiped the gurn off the older 370Z NISMO's face.
At the back it's the same story. More slashes in a rear bumper that still frames two overly large and not all that noisy tailpipes, and the obligatory red touches. The tea tray rear wing is gone. Inside, the 370Z NISMO is treated to a new pair of 'Spinal' seats. Sounds painful, but they're designed to offer "improved support and rigidity using a shell that's lighter and stronger than the previous metal frames."
It means the awkward driving position should be improved - it's unknown if the wheel still doesn't adjust for reach.
Chassis wise, the revisions to the fastest 370Z (a significant amount of) money can buy are limited to revised spring and damper rates at the rear, so don't expect it to suddenly go running rings around even a base-spec Cayman - especially at a rather porky 1,535kg.
Nissan does claim that along with wheel arch liners and new carpets, the tweaked rear suspension setup actually delivers more refinement. Which is just what we didn't want. With that muted exhaust system, the NISMO is a bit too quiet - it doesn't bark like its looks might suggest. The 3.7-litre V6's 344hp output remains, as does the meaty six-speed manual 'box and 5.2-second 0-62 time. There's no mention of money, but expect the £37,015 price tag to linger, too - £10K more than the entry-level 328hp 370Z.
A little after a year since it went on sale, the latest improvements are by and large welcome for the new looks and those seats, but we're hesitant to predict they'll noticeably change the Nissan's character or ability.
The 370Z NISMO is an old-school sports car in a world of modern machinery; a typewriter to a silicon chip. That doesn't mean we don't appreciate the raw and honest sensations the car delivers, but just that ultimately, the original 370Z NISMO was outclassed by much cheaper and much more able competition.
Well, you knew the BMW M135i/M235i comparison was coming at some point...
I had a 370Z and uprev'd it to higher output than this along with Akrapovic exhausts that MASSIVELY improved the sound.
But the problem is it's too heavy and too slow (okay slow is maybe a gross exaggeration), it's not that exciting.
Embarrassing stepping into a car that looks like this and then a Golf TDI greets all those around you.
I had a couple actually laugh at me when turning my car on when I first got it, never felt soo embarassed. They must have thought I had a bodykit on a crappy car underneath.
Only when going for it do you actually get a hint of V6 and even then it's rather muted... What they've done is gone a bit too GT, when all the competition are going towards sporty appeal (sales does the talking here).
I actually felt more pain when selling my Peugeot 106 than selling my 'Zed', looking forward to a proper review of this one and to see if they've listened to the consumers at all (don't think any of us asked for more comfort????).
I had a 370Z and uprev'd it to higher output than this along with Akrapovic exhausts that MASSIVELY improved the sound.
But the problem is it's too heavy and too slow (okay slow is maybe a gross exaggeration), it's not that exciting.
Embarrassing stepping into a car that looks like this and then a Golf TDI greets all those around you.
I had a couple actually laugh at me when turning my car on when I first got it, never felt soo embarassed. They must have thought I had a bodykit on a crappy car underneath.
Only when going for it do you actually get a hint of V6 and even then it's rather muted... What they've done is gone a bit too GT, when all the competition are going towards sporty appeal (sales does the talking here).
I actually felt more pain when selling my Peugeot 106 than selling my 'Zed', looking forward to a proper review of this one and to see if they've listened to the consumers at all (don't think any of us asked for more comfort????).
That said I really like this Nismo Z, and a friend of mine has been considering one. Too bad it isn't anything like the old Nismo Skylines.
I'll take a three year old black one with a Greddy exhaust, please!
Not bad for a 1500kg porker that "only" does 100 mph in around 12 seconds.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/87055/faste...
Don't know where the M135i fell down as it supposedly outclasses in every department?
- Edited to add the other cars on that list
Not bad for a 1500kg porker that "only" does 100 mph in around 12 seconds.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/87055/faste...
Don't know where the M135i fell down as it supposedly outclasses in every department?
- Edited to add the other cars on that list
They do need a bit more noise as standard though, the 350Z did as well, easily sorted, and price wise, I doubt anyone would end up paying 37 grand if they went into a Nissan showroom, the normal model can be had for £27,015 apparently so I expect there is a bit of room for discounts on that or the Nismo.
I am just glad it still exists as an option.
Not bad for a 1500kg porker that "only" does 100 mph in around 12 seconds.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/87055/faste...
Don't know where the M135i fell down as it supposedly outclasses in every department?
- Edited to add the other cars on that list
They do need a bit more noise as standard though, the 350Z did as well, easily sorted, and price wise, I doubt anyone would end up paying 37 grand if they went into a Nissan showroom, the normal model can be had for £27,015 apparently so I expect there is a bit of room for discounts on that or the Nismo.
I am just glad it still exists as an option.
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