Audi S8: Overview

Category: Drive Time Published on Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:30 Written by Chronicle Staff

For a car tuner, the all-new second generation NISMO 370Z is the kind of ride most would spend years saving up the cash trying to modify, but can get straight from the factory with Nissan.

Developed by Nissan North America’s Specialty Vehicles Group in conjunction with Autech Japan, the automaker’s longstanding conversion partner,  the new NISMO 370Z features a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and special super-lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels.

Yeah, it might look like just a Z with a few custom modifications to the average person. But there’s a lot more to this coupe than meets the eye, which I learned driving the car on some pretty challenging roads.

Following is a rundown on some of the NISMO 370 Z’s specs.

Building on an advanced Nissan FM (Front Midship) platform, the NISMO features a refined 4-wheel independent suspension and Nissan’s 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL).  The VVEL system helps optimize intake valve open/close movements, allowing the needed air to be sent promptly to the combustion chamber at the precisely optimized time for better power.

For its use in the NISMO 370Z, the 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 produces 350 hp @ 7,400 rpm and 276 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm for higher performance. The NISMO Z gets a boost in power through the use of an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design and muffler tuning, along with optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control.

The NISMO 370Z is offered only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with Nissan’s new SynchroRev Match function, the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission system. The SynchroRev Match function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts.

In addition to allowing the driver to focus more on braking and steering, the system is geared to improve vehicle balance and smoothness by reducing the typical “shock” when the clutch is engaged, which gives some of the most novice drivers a more capable feeling when behind the wheel, say Nissan’s engineers.

For drivers who prefer more control when shifting, the system can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter for less vehicle intervention.

Engineers went to great lengths to make the body structure of the NISMO 370Z tight and rigid with equipment like s strut tower bar brace and a pair of performance dampers, which quickly and efficiently react to and control body vibrations from road input via the tires.

The NISMO’s double-wishbone front/4-link rear suspension design suspension is specially tuned for exceptional stability and handling. The roll stiffness rate (you know the stability you feel on those serious turns) has been increased by 15 percent and front and rear damping factors have been increased by 40 percent and 140 percent respectively.

The NISMO 370Z’s wheels are unique 5-spoke Nissan-branded 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloys mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires.

Now, imagine tallying the bill for all of that stuff on a custom modification job.  And those are only some of the NISMO 370Z’s specs.

What’s to Like? The “wow” look you get from people when driving it.

What’s Not to Like? If you’ve been behind the wheel of the Nissan GT-R, it kinda makes you wish you were driving that instead.  Then again, the NISMO is about $40,000 less.

Coolest Option? None.  Everything’s standard.