Nissan pulled the wraps of its new 370Z coupe at today’s LA Auto Show, and confirmed that a Roadster version will arrive within the next 12 months. Topping the list of 370Z talking points are a shorter wheelbase, a larger engine, a seven-speed automatic and the world’s first rev-matching six-speed manual gearbox.
A rev-matching manual? So I won’t need to heel and toe in the new Nissan 370Z?
Nissan dubs it the ‘SynchroRev Match’ function (they would, wouldn’t they?), and it essentially blips the throttle to smooth out any shifts. But no, enthusiasts needn’t worry because the system can be switched off. And you only actually get the fancy gearbox if you tick the options box for the Sport Package. There’s also a new seven-speed automatic available, and that too features a shift-matching system and comes as standard with paddle-shifters.
What engine are these clever gearboxes mated to?
A 3.7-litre V6 with variable valve timing that helps to produce 327bhp at 7000rpm and 270lb ft at 5000rpm. Those gains might not sound much over the current car (309bhp and 264lb ft), but a strict diet means the new 370Z weighs around 100kg less than its predecessor at 1466kg.
Everything from the fuel tank, exhaust, sound system and alloy wheels shed the pounds, and with the help of an engine positioned 15mm lower in the chassis, the centre of gravity has dropped too.
How much shorter is this new wheelbase?
About 100mm, so it’s now 2550mm as opposed to 2650mm, accomplished by moving the rear wheels forward. And the reduction in the wheelbase means the new 370Z is also shorter overall than before, now measuring 4244mm long. It’s also wider and lower, to give the car a much more aggressive stance. It looks great in the metal.
To counteract the aerodynamic effects of the shorter wheelbase, Nissan says more than 200 rear panels were made and tested in the wind tunnel before the final design was signed off. But while the 370Z might be shrinking overall, it has a longer and more prominent front overhang.
What about inside the new 370Z?
Once again the main gauges (bigger than before) are attached to the steering column, and they form part of what Nissan calls the ‘information layer’. Included in that same layer are the additional oil temperature, voltmeter and clock atop the centre console.
An ‘operation layer’ is then made up of the steering wheel, gearstick and switchgear, while a ‘holding layer’ includes the seats, knee pads and door trim supports. It sounds like layers of PR bullsh*t to us.
Any news on specific UK models?
Not yet, and prices have also to be announced, though we expect sales to start in Blighty in late spring 2009 at around £28k.
In the US there will just be two 370Z models; a regular car and a Touring. The latter gets heated leather seats, a BOSE sounds system and Bluetooth.
Two packages are also offered. The Sport Pack comes with 19-inch RAYS alloys (up from the standard-fit 18s), front and rear spoilers, bigger brakes, that fancy rev-matching gearbox and a limited slip rear differential. The Navigation package comes with, you’ve guessed it, sat-nav, a 9.3Gb hard drive and MP3 connectivity.