Lighter, Smaller, Stronger, Faster
The Nissan GT-R may have dominated the headlines in 2008, but the new 370Z has already staked its claim as one of the most significant sports cars of 2009. Unlike other automakers that cling to the age-old ideal of packing each successive generation with more power-while simultaneously increasing the footprint and curb weight-Nissan is taking a different tack with the '09 370Z by upping output and slashing the pounds in an attempt to bring the new Z back to its roots.
The front-midship platform underpins the outgoing Z-car soldiers underneath the 370Z, but the overall length has been shortened to 167.1 inches (losing 2.7 inches) and the wheelbase shrunk to 100.4 inches (down 3.9 inches). To combat the effects of the reduced wheelbase, Nissan has widened the Z to 72.6 inches, 1.3 inches over its predecessor, with the front track gaining half an inch and the rear stretching an additional 2.2 inches, and the overall height has been cut down by 0.3 inches. Combined with all-aluminum door panels, hood, and rear hatch, along with a laundry list of structural reinforcements that increase torsional rigidity by 30 percent, including an underbody V-bar and a carbon-fiber composite radiator housing, the 350Z's successor (with a manual gearbox) sheds 95 pounds of weight in body-in-white form. With a lightened fuel tank (reduced by 13.9 pounds), an exhaust that's 3.8 pounds lighter, 19-inch front wheels weighing 7 pounds less, and rear rollers shedding 6 pounds each, the new Z tips the scales at 3,232 pounds.
Of course, the 370Z's namesake and party piece is the VVEL-equipped 3.7L VQ37VHR V-6, putting out 332 bhp at 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm. Compared to the outgoing 3.5L V-6, the 370Z gains an additional 26 bhp and 2 lb-ft of torque, but the new mill requires drivers to run the tack up an additional 200 and 400 rpm, respectively, to reach peak outputs. The engine has also been lowered by 0.6 inches to reduce the center of gravity, while a shorter carbon-fiber driveshaft helps contribute to the Z's diet.
Transmission choices include a six-speed manual gearbox with the world's first synchronized downshift rev-matching system, dubbed SynchroRev Match, which blips the throttle when selecting lower gears (yes it can be disabled), or a new seven-speed auto 'box equipped with paddle shifters and some clever ECU tuning that closely mimics the feel of a traditional cog-swapper while delivering shifts in half a second. Nissan hasn't released 0-to-60 times yet, but expect the 370Z to hit the magic mark in around 4.6 seconds and return fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway in either manual or automatic guise.
The 350Z's front multilink suspension has been replaced in favor of a new double-wishbone arrangement comprised of forged aluminum arms and an all-aluminum cradle. A new sway bar is fitted up front that sheds a few pounds off the outgoing model while increasing stiffness by 35 percent. Out back, the four-link rear suspension carries over but benefits from a significant rework with stiffer, lighter aluminum components and revised geometry. New "high response" shocks are fitted at all four corners, reducing friction while delivering a more compliant ride.
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