The roadster version of Nissan’s 370Z has been officially launched at the New York show.
Top down - from the front
An array of pictures have been released, but sadly nothing with the canvas roof erected – a seemingly odd oversight as the launch press notice declares a key objective of the new roof design was ‘to provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z’s stunning styling with the top up or down’.
Instead of showing us a picture, Nissan has opted to describe the roof-up roadster thus: ‘With the convertible top in the closed position, the design provides a sophisticated sloped-back appearance, the perfect balance between the soft top and the Z body design. The shortened windshield and aerodynamically rounded rear deck enhance the Z’s kinetic and dynamic character lines.’ We’ll take their word for it then!
Top down - in the cockpit
When the electrically-actuated top is retracted, it resides under a body-coloured plastic tonneau which extends forward to ‘help create the Z Roadster’s classic double cockpit style interior’ according to the blurb.
The Z Roadster’s roof is apparently black canvas with a fabric inner liner, and has a larger rear glass window than its 350Z predecessor. It goes up or down in 20 seconds with an automatic latching system that is totally hands-free for the driver. There’s also a glass wind deflector between the fixed rollover bars to reduce cabin turbulence.
The car comes with Nissan’s latest 332hp, 3.7 litre VQ series engine – as per the coupe – and also shares the 7-speed auto and 6-speed manual ‘SynchroRev’ gearbox options.
As yet there’s no indication as to the Z Roadster’s weight. Expect prices to start at around £30k when sales start here in the late summer.