Tuesday 22nd January 2013

Nismo reveals 344hp 370Z

Finally! 344hp Nismo 370Z coming to Europe - full details

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The Juke Nismo (drive story to come shortly...) is just the start for the Nissan Motorsport performance brand in Europe. Here's what's coming next - a 344hp version of the 370Z.

First pukka Nismo 370Z for European drivers

This shouldn't be an enormous surprise, given there are already Nismo variants of the muscular Cayman rival on sale in Japan and the USA. But the 370Z gets special treatment for Europe, to suit "both road conditions and tastes."

Compared with the standard car, the Nismo will prompt comments along the lines of 'not shy' thanks to its aerodynamic bodywork revisions and red 'pinstripe' detailing.

The former includes a 'double canard' front bumper treatment with aggressive lower lip, and a not insubstantial rear wing and diffuser. Slithers of wheel arch spats smooth airflow up front and accommodate new 285-section rear tyres (up from 275 on the standard car). All told, the Nismo is now said to approach 'GT-R levels' of downforce, resulting in 'zero lift.'

Alcantara and (clearly faster) red stitching feature

The latter is - thankfully? - limited to accents, including singular lines on the door mirrors at present (though heaven knows this could change for production). This format is echoed on the inside, where black Alcantara and red stitching feature heavily. Welcome detail changes include extra bolster support for the electrically operated seats.

Alongside the increase from 328hp at 7,000rpm to 344hp at 7,400rpm, Nismo also sees torque rise from 267lb ft to 273lb ft. While this continues to peak at 5,200rpm, we're promised improved throttle response was the priority, so the 3.7-litre V6 should feel livelier from as little as 2,000rpm. A bespoke exhaust system certainly guarantees extra noise.

Suspension mods include revised '15-20 per cent stiffer' springs and dampers, though Nismo has resisted dropping it more than 'about 10mm' in order to maintain acceptable amounts of travel for the road. 19-inch wheels are standard, wrapped in bespoke Bridgestone Potenza rubber, while brake upgrades are limited to rigid hoses and fluid from the GT-R.

16hp boost and improved response too

The differential remains the same viscous limited slipper, and it will only come equipped with a manual gearbox. "You need to converse with your car," says the man from Nismo. Quite.

No word on pricing yet, but the fruitier 370Z is set for UK launch in June-July 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

[rajkohli81]

Wow.. a Zed with uprated power and bits, why has no-one thought of this before?!!

[robmlufc]

But nobody is buying 370Zs?

[goron59]

I liked the 370Z when I drove one. Engaging enough to forget what it looked like inside.

This one seems like a welcome edition.

[Paper Lawyer]

They are certainly a rare care around my neck of the woods.



Typo in article: 'double canard' from (should be "front") bumper treatment

[GroundEffect]

robmlufc said:

But nobody is buying 370Zs?

Kind of the point of this exercise then...

PS: I like it.

[Captain Muppet]

The thing that stops me wanting a 370Z is the lights. Massively overstyled for my taste.
This particular one looks better to me, although I get the impression that the front bumper is belming at me.

PH said:

the Nismo is now said to approach 'GT-R levels' of downforce, resulting in 'zero lift'

Surely any level of downforce at all means zero lift?

[NigelCayless]

robmlufc said:

But nobody is buying 370Zs?

I bought one. Am very pleased with it. Would definately recommend.

[swanny71]

I very nearly bought a 370Z but thought it was missing a little something.

A bit more power - yes
A better exhaust note - yes
Uprated suspension - maybe

Pinstripes and silly spoilers/diffusers - definately not!

[davidcharles]

great...BUT....pricing is the worry , NISMO stuff is never cheap.

£50k?

[X5TUU]

I do like the 370 and the 350 but agree with comments about something lacking.

However that red stitching is def good for an extra 15bhp at least!

[Dagnut]

What is it with wheel designs lately? muck.

[SarGara]

davidcharles said:

great...BUT....pricing is the worry , NISMO stuff is never cheap.

£50k?

My thoughts exactly. I really like that but if they follow their usual trend the cost will kill it off and very few will actually get sold

[RedTrident]

I like it.

[forzaminardi]

Looks great and the spec sounds promising. But the price?

[Sir Snaz]

so for the price ...this or a lightly used GT-R?.....no contest surley??

[TNH]

16bhp?

Surely Nismo could do better than that?

Nice looking motor though.

[eliotrw]

Yeah that realistic becuase a GTR doesnt have MEGA running cost RIGHT?!

I for one think it looks awesome.

[f328nvl]

swanny71 said:

I very nearly bought a 370Z but thought it was missing a little something.

A bit more power - yes
A better exhaust note - yes
Uprated suspension - maybe

Pinstripes and silly spoilers/diffusers - definately not!

But you can "Converse with it":
Nissan: "I have 19 inch wheels and stiffer suspension to improve handling!"
Me: "Improve handling my arse!! Ruin ride quality more like"

http://rjmghome.blogspot.co.uk/

[Hellbound]

So which Juke Nismo will you be driving? The 197bhp one or the one with an extra 20bhp, more torque and lower suspension?

[Si_man306]

FINALLY....properly chuffed about this. I currently own a nismo 350z and love it but didn't feel the regular 370z was quite special enough to upgrade to (and the GTR is just out of reach) I looked at importing these and they sell at a premium of £5k to the regular car abroad- so I would think similar here (+obligatory screw-the-uk-market extra charge). The importers quoted around a £15k total premium (a large chunk of that was tax) to import a used one....!

It is pretty in your face but looking at the online videos etc, its not too over the top and needs to stand out in some way, being a nismo version.

Quite frankly, in a world where our renaultsports are 5 doors and turbocharged, Nissan is doing something extremely right in the world of realistic, awesome to dive, affordable cars.