2009 Nissan 370Z Officially Unveiled

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Last month, Nissan officially unveiled the all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z (Fairlady Z in Japan) at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The 370Z is scheduled to be on sale in North America in January 2009 and will be priced at around $30,000. The 370Z Roadster meanwhile will follow as a 2010 model.

The 2009 Nissan 370Z’s wheelbase is nearly 4 inches (100.4 inches vs. 104.3 inches) shorter than the previous generation Z by moving the rear wheels forward in the 2nd generation FM platform thus reduced the overall length by 2.7 inches (167.1 inches vs. 169.8 inches).

The overall width meanwhile increased by 1.3 inches, the rear track by 2.2 inches and overall height reduced by 0.3 inches. To reduce the weight of the vehicle, the 370Z comes with aluminum door panels, all-aluminum hood and an aluminum hatch.

Other features include a new front body suspension cradle, underbody “V-bar”, carbon fiber composite radiator housing, new rear spoiler for zero front and rear lift, “inverse area” front bumper, HID bi-functional xenon headlights with auto on/off feature, a flashing (repeater lamp) side marker lamp/emblem. The 370Z is offered in 7 exterior colors, Pearl White, Monterey Blue, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red, Platinum Graphite and a launch-year only, premium signature color, Chicane Yellow.

Inside, the Nissan 370Z features the traditional 2-seat layout, gauges attached to the steering column, bigger gauge size, oval 3-spoke design leather steering wheel, new driver and passenger’s seat, door armrests with extra support when cornering, aluminum pedals with rubber insert, floor mounted accelerator pedal, less intrusive rear strut brace, Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Start, power windows, power door locks, automatic climate control, rear window defroster, two 12-volt power outlets, 4 cupholders, dual overhead map lights and a AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel mounted controls.

As for the 370Z Touring model, Nissan adds standard 4-way power adjustable heated synthetic suede and leather-appointed sport seats with adjustable lumbar support, 6CD Bose audio system with 8 speakers and MP3/WMA playback, XM Satellite Radio, Bluetooth Handsfree Phone System, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and passenger seat map pocket.

The weight of the 370Z has also been reduced and along with the reduced weight, the center of gravity was lowered with the use of lower engine positioning and lower driver hip point.

The 2009 Nissan 370Z is powered by the new 3.7-liter VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) to produce 332 hp at 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5,200 rpm compared to the 3.5-liter V6 306 hp at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm.

Key to the enhanced performance is the VVEL system which is able to optimize the intake valve open/close movements, allowing the needed air to be sent promptly to the combustion chamber at the precisely optimized time.

The VQ37VHR engine is mated to a choice of two new advanced transmission. One of them is the new close-ratio 6-speed manual with the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching system. The transmission also comes with “SynchroRev Match” system where it is offered as part of the optional Sport Package which can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter. The “SynchroRev Match” function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts.

The second transmission is the 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode with a target time of 0.5 seconds between shifts.

According to Nissan, the 370Z consumes 18 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on highway for both the 7-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmission.

The suspension has also been improved from the previous 350Z where the 370Z uses doublewishbone for the front suspension (lower multi-link setup in the 350Z) which is made of forged aluminum arms and a lightweight rigid aluminum-alloy cradle, along with a lighter stabilizer bar with 35 % improved lever ratio.

The standard 2009 Nissan 370Z stands on lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels measuring at 18×8.0-inch at the front and 18×9.0-inch at the rear wrapped in Yokohama ADVAN Sport maximum performance tires P225/50R18 at the front and P245/45R18 at the rear. Optional for the Sport Package are 19-inch RAYS forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A P245/40R19 tires up front and P275/35R19 tires at the rear.

The Nissan 370Z’s braking system comes with with 4- wheel vented disc brake system includes Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Nissan Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors (versus 12.6-inch front/12.1-inch rear standard rotors) with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum callipers for the Sport Package.

The safety features include revised Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), Active Head Restraints, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Vehicle Security System and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

2009 Nissan 370Z Officially Unveiled