Features and design

NISMO took the somewhat bland 370Z front end and bolted to it an extended front nose and integrated chin spoiler. Not only does this make the car look more dynamic with its gray and red accents against the white body paint, it also makes the 370Z grippier. The nose and spoiler are carefully formed to increase airflow to the engine and also improve downforce, which uses wind resistance to push the car against the pavement, boosting tire traction.

From there, NISMO upped the power output of the 3.7-liter normally aspirated V6 from 332 to 350 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. From the souped-up V6, power is routed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission – no automatic is offered on the 370Z NISMO. Engineers added a “Sport” button to the transmission, too, which activates a system called SynchroRev Match.

SynchroRev Match essentially blips the throttle on up or downshifts to match engine and transmission speed. With this engaged, you can leave your left foot planted in the brake pedal as you downshift without having to come off and feather the throttle as you let the clutch out. Not only does rev match make the downshift experience much smoother for passengers, it’s allows for more spritely downshifts. Yes, rev matching does effectively do away with engine braking. Any benefits offered by engine braking that are sacrificed by rev matching are far outweighed by the smoothness of the system.

As for the interior, NISMO went for lightness.

For design dynamics, NISMO covered the steering wheel in Alcantara, added NISMO embroidery to the seats, and the colored the tachometer red.

Nissan only offers one option on the 370Z NISMO: a Bose sound system with six speakers, two subwoofers, and Bluetooth.

Step back out to the exterior and you’ll notice a huge rear wing bolted to the hatch. Down at ground level, NISMO included special 19-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels backed by large 14-inch NISMO sport brakes at all four corners. And at the very backend of the car, you’ll find polished tailpipes that blow carbons from the engine through an H-style exhaust system.

It would seem, then, we have the makings of a fantastic sports car. Yes, indeed we do.

Performance

Out on the track or on a secluded country road, the 370Z NISMO is a motoring enthusiast’s dream. The engine note is deep, powerful, and echoes throughout the compact cabin. It’s not in anyway buzzy or annoying like other modern, high-power V6s. The transmission is exacting, crisp, and never leaves you wondering what gear you’ve grabbed. Heck, even if you do grab the wrong one, SynchroRev Match will sort out engine speed for you.

Unlike modern German and American sports cars, the 370Z still has hydraulic power steering. It’s a bit on the light side, but it fully reports back what’s happening on the road. You know every little thing that the wheels are doing at any given moment. It feels not like a mechanical system, but rather more like a living thing, full of vim and vigor.

The brakes are top-notch, too. The pedal is light and quick to react. You can ride on the limits of your driving ability comfortably knowing that if you get a bit over your head, the brakes are there to reign the Z back in and bring you down to a safe speed – or to a quick stop.

In the 370Z NISMO, it’s so easy to lose yourself in a sunny day, looking across the well-sculpted hood and onto the pavement, as you hug the double yellow line that leads you to driving nirvana.

What, though, if you need to drive the 370Z NISMO to work or the store? Well, my friend, that’s a whole other story.

Remember, the 370Z is a relatively simple, lightweight sports car. So while it performs with the best of them on the track and out on secluded country roads, it might shock and horrify you during your daily drive.

Then there’s the fuel economy. Yes, you might be getting 350 ponies from your V6, which makes for much fun on the road, but surprisingly it doesn't hurt that bad at the pump. Nissan rates the 370Z NISMO at an average of 18 mpg in the City and up to 26 mpg on the Highway!