| First Drive | California, USA | Nissan 370Z |

The successor to the popular and hairy-chested 350Z, the new Nissan 370Z is the latest in a long line of two-seater sports coupés from the Japanese dating back to the original 240Z. The new model shares what Nissan refers to as Z-DNA with its predecessors; chiefly a long bonnet, sleek body, front mounted engine and rear-wheel drive set-up, with the emphasis on delivery of a sporty and rewarding driving experience.

In the Metal

While the outward similarity between the 370Z and the outgoing 350Z is plain to see, the metalwork of the new car features some distinctive alterations, as well as further nods towards the past. New style 'boomerang' headlights are among the most striking changes, with a sculpted three-dimensional design that needs to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated. Shorter and wider, the new Z-car boasts more road presence. It's also lower, giving it a more squat appearance. That's not to say it's not traditionally sleek however, with a cantilevered roof design flowing over the back of the car. The window line now features a 240Z-style upward kink and indicators incorporated into the Z badges on the wings are a neat touch. Also subtle, but highly creative, is the bonnet bulge that extends across the windscreen and carries on down the roof.

What you get for your Money

UK prices and specification for the 370Z have yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to carry on where the 350Z left off; offering a huge amount of performance and generous equipment levels for a very reasonable outlay. Nissan has followed up on customer feedback and endeavoured to improve the quality of the interior in its latest Z offering. That means higher quality materials and more of a prestigious feel, although at a lower price level it can't be expected to offer the same level of inherent luxury as some of its more expensive competitors. The US specification models that we drove were well appointed even in basic specification, with an impressive sound system, bi-Xenon headlights, 'intelligent key' with push-button starter and stylish alloy wheels.

Driving it

The clue is in the name; Nissan has increased the capacity of the new model's engine to 3.7-litres. That extra couple of hundred cubic centimetres adds 26bhp, taking output to 332bhp and 270lb.ft of torque. Power delivery has been made less aggressive with a smoother torque curve, but the 370Z never feels short on power and accelerates with muscle car ease through the gears.

Unlike its predecessor, the 370Z will be available with a choice of a seven-speed automatic gearbox in the UK (the six-speed manual is standard). With wheel mounted paddles and no loss of economy, Nissan's two-seater sports coupé may follow its competitors in proving popular with an automatic gearbox, though we still prefer the manual.

Like-minded fans won't be disappointed, particularly as the model features an innovative 'Synchro Rev Match' system that blips the throttle between down shifts offering an automatic 'heel and toe' change that's smooth, sporty and sounds fantastic.

Nissan has also been hard at work on the 370Z chassis, shortening the wheelbase by a significant 100mm or so and widening the track. Combined with firmer suspension settings, a 43kg weight reduction and up to 30 per cent improvements in torsional rigidity, the sports coupé is a crisper handling car that's more controllable closer to the limit of its abilities. An interior tailored around the driver is the icing on the cake. The only real downside is that visibility remains as poor as in the 350Z.

Worth Noting

Proof that Nissan has kept its ear to the ground is evident all around the 370Z. The boot, although very similar in proportion, is now much more useable than that of the 350Z. The strut-brace that did such a great job of getting in the way in the previous model has been moved under the floor, freeing up boot space. From a driving rather than a practical point of view, Nissan has introduced its first floor-mounted throttle pedal to give the right foot greater control through lees movement.

Summary

Having a sub-brand with credentials and potential as high as the Z-car is a major bonus for Nissan, so it comes as no surprise that the 370Z is an improvement on its excellent predecessor. The key elements are all there, and the fact that Nissan has listened closely to customer feedback really shines through in the nature and execution of the improvements it has made. The 370Z is a car that sets high expectations with its styling and delivers in full on the road.