Nissan 370Z review: It’s almost 10 years since the sports car hit the market and the forgotten model has just been given a refresh
The V6 sports car is popular with drift enthusiasts but has fallen off the radar since it hit dealers back in 2009
IT’S easy to forget that Nissan makes a good, old-fashioned rear-wheel drive sports car, with its ever increasing line-up of SUVs, electric vehicles and minuscule Micras.
However, if you head to your local dealer and peer into a darkened corner somewhere, you might catch a glimpse of the lesser-spotted 370Z.
Nissan’s naturally aspirated 323bhp 3.7-litre V6-engined thrill machine that first landed on our roads way back in 2009.
Gas-guzzling, emissions-emitting rear-wheel-drive sports cars might not be the flavour du jour, but the Japanese marque has seen fit to refresh its shapely performance car and drag it into 2018.
A new look gives it black door handles and a black rear bumper fascia, dark-tinted headlamps and rear combination lights — all previously only available on the Nismo upgrade but now come as standard.
New 19in alloy wheels are also thrown in, as well as a stunning new infrared metallic paint option that brilliantly shows off the zed’s flared arches and swooping waistline.
The car might be approaching a decade old but it still stands out in a crowd, while the addition of a new, race-ready Exedy clutch means it drives better than it ever has.
Couple this lightweight transmission with Nissan’s throttle-blipping rev-matching technology, and you’ve got an extremely enjoyable machine, especially on track.
Thankfully, little else has changed.
The engine delivers the same amount of grunt, the suspension remains firm but forgiving and the chassis still feels properly sorted.
Inside, there’s the new NissanConnect Premium infotainment system, which features a 7in touch-screen, satnav, DVD player and rear-view camera, but really this is still the cracking driver’s car we know and love.
Admittedly, the advent of the hyper hatches, which boast devastating performance and everyday practicality for a similar price, means the 370Z has got a bit of a battle with its fresh-faced rivals.
But this remains a lot of sports car for the money, and one of the best looking things in a Nissan dealership – even if they do try and hide it away in a darkened corner.
Key facts
Nissan 37OZ
- Price: £29,185
- Engine: 3.7-litre V6 petrol
- Economy: 26.6mpg (combined)
- 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
- Top speed: 155mph
- Length: 4,265mm
- Turning circle: 11 metres
- CO2: 248g/km
