2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z Windham ME

2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor

DriverSide Overview 
The geniuses at Nissan’s Motorsports division take good cars and make them great. It’s as simple as that. And because of the quality of their products, there’s a gaggle of people out there who religiously await the next NISMO creation, body mods and all. Most recently, the NISMO guys got their hands on the new 370Z – the successor to the 350Z . Oh sure, the NISMO 350Z was insanely fun to drive, but the new NISMO 370Z has evolved into a more competent – and slightly more refined – sports car. Heaven forbid. The new iteration has a more capable feel to it, lending a confidence to the driver that wasn’t 100% there in the 350Z. Horsepower has been bumped to 350 (up from 332) and they’ve squeezed out an additional 6 lb-ft of torque over the standard Z. With suspension, engine and braking modifications, the NISMO turns more sharply, accelerates more adeptly and stops more efficiently than its stable mate. It also benefits from the exterior changes that keep the Z line looking sharp. And let’s not forget that standard six-speed manual with SynchroRev Match. We’ll take one in red, thank you very much.
 







What's to Like
The NISMO is a tightened up, more responsive 370Z, which is to say it’s fantastically fun. It’s also the possessor of a modified version of the new exterior redesign, with changes that add a dash of sophistication to the rough-and-tumble Z line. Interior touches have been softened and refined as well. Of course, SynchroRev Match is simply amazing.

What's Not to Like
While this probably isn’t something that concerns hardcore NISMO buyers, the ride is pretty firm and rough roads will cause serious teeth chatter. The wheel wells are inches from your ears, and road noise reverberates around the cabin, even at low speeds. We can put up with a lot, but the clamor is borderline uncomfortable.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The NISMO is motivated by Nissan’s tried and true VQ engine, which seems constantly primed for energetic endeavors. This is especially the case in the NISMO, as the car is eager to rev and delivers peak torque a hair shy of the 7,500 rpm redline. Adjusted aerodynamics – including a nose that protrudes six inches further than the standard piece – help the NISMO slice through the air, and suspension tuning has tightened up the ride significantly. Steering is crisp, and with the speed variable assist steering, it never feels twitchy or, conversely, heavy. Surprisingly, road noise is a big issue, even at low speeds, and it’s something that will bother even the hardcore NISMO enthusiasts. The only transmission on offer is a six-speed manual with standard SynchroRev Match, which is the world’s first rev-matching manual.

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