2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster New Orleans LA
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2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster By Alison Lakin, Associate Editor
DriverSide Overview
After a whirlwind six-year run, Nissan ceased production of the 350Z last year, replacing the now iconic sports car with an even more potent successor, the 370Z . Equipped with a larger 3.7-liter engine and a smaller frame, the 370Z Coupe improved upon an already swoon-worthy combination of good looks, reasonable pricing and stellar performance. As was the case with the 350, Nissan opted to bring a roadster to the table again, and we wondered whether the improved performance could translate despite the fact that its top had been quite ceremoniously chopped off. We needn’t have been concerned. What makes all the difference is that Nissan planned from the start to incorporate a convertible into the lineup, so when they designed and engineered the platform and body structure, they were already making decisions to accommodate for a drop-top. Well, we can’t find a whiff of compromise in the gloriously fun (and remarkably economical) 370Z Roadster, and new tech options like the brilliant SynchroRev Match manual transmission are sure to keep the competition on its toes. Our only concern is whether you’ll be able to find one on a dealer lot.
What's to Like
Unlike the previous Roadster’s top, the 370Z’s is fully automatic. The interior roof lining has also been spruced up to give the interior some extra finesse. SynchroRev Match, the first downshift-matching manual transmission, is brilliant and worth the tick of an option box. Because the top folds away in its own compartment, rear trunk room is surprisingly spacious for a convertible.
What's Not to Like
Bluetooth isn’t an option on the base Z, a move that seems out of touch for usually ahead-of-the-curve Nissan. Without the navigation system, you’re left with a familiar storage compartment on the instrument panel, and while it’s more elegantly covered this time around, we’ve yet to figure out which personal effects would adequately fill the space.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
The smaller, lighter Roadster feels more balanced on the road than its predecessor, partly due to increased rigidity and structural improvements. We’ve been told there’s 45% improvement in rear body torsion and 60% increased rear lateral stiffness over the last generation Roadster, numbers that are easily apparent on back roads. Around curves the Z grips more tightly, and body roll is so non-existent you’ll wonder why they’ve designed such supportive high-backed sport seats. Damping is also fantastic, keeping cowl shake under control, and even with 19-inch wheels the road noise isn’t overly intrusive. You’d nearly forget you were even in a convertible if it weren’t for the wind whipping around the crown of your head – the windshield doesn’t completely ...