What happens when you take an iconic, globally embraced driver’s car like the Nissan 370Z and put tuning experts to work on it in the hope of muscling it up into some rarified air?
You get the 2014 Nissan 370Z Nismo.
The 370Z Nismo sits one notch below the elite halo Nissan GTR in the automaker’s product line. While the standard 370Z is already a respected and affordable performance car (especially popular with drifters and street racers), the Nismo model heads to the streets with some very effective refinements.
Nismo (Nissan Motorsport International Limited) is the automaker’s racing division. The technology flying out of its shop goes into Nissan’s on-track models, crossing over to special on street performance cars like this beefed up 370Z.
Already sporting excellent balance and weight reduction, the Nismo uses the VQ 3.7 liter V6 engine and its 350 hp. That silly, irresponsible power for a car so small and light. And one drive in the resulting vehicle demands approval of Nissan’s irrationality.
The styling takes the already sleek, rounded lines of the basic 370Z and adds a large rear spoiler for needed downforce.
The car comes only with a six speed manual transmission – as it should. If you can’t drive stick, you don’t deserve the sensations of driving a mad machine like this.
To help you along, the manual’s clutch pedal, shift lever and vehicle speed are all monitored by onboard systems. As you shift to lower gears, the system tweaks the throttle to the ideal rpm – engaging a sort of automatic double clutching. The resulting effect aids greatly in acceleration as you shift through the gears. It also adds an amazing extra growl to the Nismo’s already angry exhaust notes.
To grip off speed when necessary, the special 370Z edition uses 14 inch front brakes and 13.8 rear units. Those are massive grabbers for such a small car- guaranteeing you can keep all of that horsepower and aggressive acceleration in check.
There is a price to pay in the comfort department for driving such a finely tuned roadster as this Nismo. The suspension is loaded and locked – tightly wound to squeeze every inch out of an onrushing apex. That means you feel every bump in your bones – just as you would if driving in any variety of race car.
As a proper road-going performance machine, the 370Z Nismo aims to connect you to the road – and the resulting connection can be intimate. The suspension is so sensitive in this 370Z that my experienced driver’s arse could sense everything from pavement joins on turns to variations in driver surface composition.
So, if you’re looking for performance with cushy, touring car comfort, head over to the Lexus, BMW or Mercedes-Benz dealerships. They sell plenty of fine cars at each of those establishments. You won’t feel at ease in the $43,000 Nissan roadster.
Be warned, though. None of those elite machines offers the same pure visceral and personal driving experience as the new 370Z Nismo.
