The Nissan 370Z was a two-door fastback coupe and roadster sports car available from 2009 to 2020. It was the sixth generation in Nissan’s legendary Z-car series.
Nissan 370Z Design and Introduction
At first glance, it might be easy to think that the Nissan 370Z is quite similar to the predecessor 350Z due to its exterior appearance. But in reality, the 370Z was heavily redesigned with nearly every component changed from the 350Z. The Nissan 370Z was unveiled at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, showing the new Coupe body style. The soft-top convertible Roadster hit production lines just shortly after the Coupe in 2009, sold as a 2010 model year. The weight of the 370Z was reduced to 3,232 pounds by using additional lightweight aluminum materials and by reducing the size of the vehicle. A front aluminum subframe with aluminum body panels, and an aluminum-alloy engine cradle achieved a weight reduction while also increasing torsional rigidity by 10% in front. The rear was made 22% more rigid through the addition of an underbody V-bar. The overall length of the 370Z was reduced by 2.7 inches (69 mm) and sits at 167.1 inches (4,240 mm) long with a 100.4-inch (2,550 mm) wheelbase. The width was increased just slightly by 1.3 inches (33 mm).
Engine and Performance
It featured a 3.7L VQ37VHR V6 engine with 332 horsepower in the North American specification and 326 horsepower in the European version. All 370Zs come with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. A SynchroRev Match system was available for the manual option if the Sport package was selected. The Nissan 370Z does well at following up the previous generations and bringing speed to those who want it. It is capable of going 0 to 60 mph in as little as 4.6 seconds in a Coupe with the 7-speed automatic transmission, although the Roadster pushes that out to about 5.5 seconds. For the North American market, the 370Z came in five different trim levels, including the base, Sport, Touring, Sport Touring, and NISMO. Different options include 19-inch wheels, satellite radio, heated/ventilated seats, and a Bose sound system, most of which came on the Touring model. Performance options include a viscous limited-slip differential and Akebono sport brakes, as featured on the Sport. The Sport Touring trim combines most of the performance upgrades in the Sport along with the interior comfort and luxury upgrades in the Touring.
Performance and Special Edition Variants
NISMO, Nissan’s high-performance division, introduced a 370Z in the first year the model became available, 2009. Through an improved exhaust design and a retuned ECU, the performance was significantly improved to 350 horsepower and 276 lb ft of torque. The NISMO variant also includes a stiffer suspension design with improved springs and stabilizer bars, in addition to the 6-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match system. Performance 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipers join 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear vented rotors to tackle braking needs with ease. In 2013, a fairly extensive update hit the Nissan 370Z, featuring new vertical daytime running lights, new wheel options, and Euro-tuned shocks. Many special edition variants of the 370Z were released, with a special 40th Anniversary model released in 2009 in Japan and 2010 in the US market. The US version featured the Sport Package with a manual transmission, many interior upholstery and trim upgrades, along with 40th Anniversary commemorative emblems and stitching throughout.
Overall Sales
The North American sales of the Nissan 370Z started off fairly strong with over 10,000 units for the first two years, but purchases steadily declined over the production span, with 2017 hitting less than 5,000 units sold. The 370Z was discontinued in 2020, allowing room for the successor Nissan Z to be developed and hit the market after a short hiatus in 2023 to keep the legendary Nissan Z-car line going.