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Jalopnik Reviews 2009 Nissan 370Z

I'll update with the other parts as they get published. 2009 Nissan 370Z: Part One - 2009 nissan 370z - Jalopnik The 2009 Nissan 370Z is a seriously high tech

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Old 07-23-2009, 12:54 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Default Jalopnik Reviews 2009 Nissan 370Z

I'll update with the other parts as they get published.

2009 Nissan 370Z: Part One - 2009 nissan 370z - Jalopnik

Quote:
The 2009 Nissan 370Z is a seriously high tech car. But unlike other high tech sports cars from Nissan, this one uses that technology to increase driver involvement making it seriously fun to drive.

We typically bemoan any attempts to "assist" drivers with any form of computer chip. ABS? That's for girls. Stability control? The car might as well drive for you. Torque vectoring differentials and AWD? Run for the hills, the machines have risen.


So when we first found out about SyncroRev Match — a system that automatically matches revs on downshifts so you don't have to heel and toe — our response was predictably of the Luddite variety, saying it, "represents a further erosion of voluntary control and thus the skills necessary to go fast being removed from the driving experience."

The thing is, now that we've driven the Z, SyncroRev Match has totally won us over. While we enjoy heel and toeing when we're driving fast, we don't bother while sitting in traffic and most of the rest of the driving public won't either when they're trying to text/shave/eat/pee while driving. SyncroRev Match does and also unlike us, it matches revs perfectly 100% of the time. That means smoother driving all the time, but it's a particular benefit while driving fast. Since the perfect rev match is guaranteed, it leaves the driver free to focus on things like staying on the road or delaying turn in to the last possible moment. Of course, you can switch it off if you still want to show off.

Other technological advances on the Z tend less toward the gadgety side of things and more towards engineering. The 370 wears 200lbs more safety gear than the 350 it replaces, yet overall, it weighs only 33lbs more. Thank the extensive use of aluminum in the doors, hatch, hood and A-pillars for that. The engine now displaces more volume - as the name suggests its grown from 3.5 to 3.7 liters - and makes 26 more HP, now 332. More importantly, it sits 15mm lower, helping to drop the center of gravity closer to the ground for better handling. It also helps reduce the height of the hood, which is now so low that forward vision is on par with mid-engined vehicles. That new engine now sends its power to the rear wheels through a carbon fiber drive shaft that reduces inertial momentum, which increases responsiveness. Carbon can also be found on the radiator housing.

That engine now uses a variable valve event and lift system. Think of it as like VTEC, it boosts power at both low and high RPMS, but unlike VTEC, there's no noticeable step or kick in the power delivery, which runs seamlessly from around 1,900 RPM to the 7,500 RPM redline.

Unlike most other vehicles, this new 370Z is actually smaller than the car it replaces. Overall it's 2.7 inches shorter in length, but more importantly the wheelbase is a tenth of an inch shy of being four inches shorter, the rear track is wider by 2.2 inches and the overall height is now 0.3 inches shorter. Torsional rigidity at the subframes is also increased 30 percent at the front and 22 percent at the rear.

Double wishbone front suspension replaces the multilink setup on the 350Z reduces weight through the extensive use of aluminum, both forged and otherwise, while the four-link rear suspension is also lighter and stiffer than the setup it replaces.

The car you see here is equipped with the optional $3,000 "Sport" package, which brings that SyncroRev Match, 19" forged aluminum wheels with summer performance tires, a limited-slip differential and front and rear spoilers.

That's an exhaustive and incomplete list of the upgrades but, importantly, it results not only in a car that's not terribly more expensive than the model it replaces (you can still get a Z for under thirty grand) yet drives much, much better.

Where the old 350Z was pretty agricultural, with a harsh ride, boomy exhaust note and noisy interior, the new 370Z retains that essential character but moves it way over into the realm of acceptability. You could commute every day in the 370, take it on road trips or drive your mother-in-law around in it without her complaining. But to do so would miss the point because the 370Z was built to drive fast.

Even with the stability control on and while wearing Bridgestone RE050s, the Z will spin up the rear tires in first, second and third gear during a street launch, going on to reach 60mph in 4.7 seconds. That addictive power is always available, in any gear, by planting your right foot. We say addictive because you're going to have a hard time not using it at every opportunity. Driving the Z in traffic we found ourselves behaving like ********, taking opportunities to undertake a single car just for the chance to accelerate. Never before has the humble modern V6 sounded more purebred than this one.

Any fears that the powerful, relatively light, rear-wheel drive Z would be an oversteering handful like the previous car aren't borne out driving this car on the road. Understeer is nearly complete in its absence, yet inadvertent tail out action is too. Sure you can still stomp on the throttle, but you're not going to be aggressively countersteering on ever corner exit. There's virtually no body roll.

Steering is sharp, if a bit heavy, but feel is good - another improvement - so that weight isn't a problem. We do wish the wheel telescoped in addition to moving up and down.

By now you're probably catching on to the fact that we really, really like the 370Z. But we have a reason for doing so. In an age of X6 Ms, GT-Rs and most other performance cars using technology to replace the need for a skilled driver, the Z still asks that its driver knows what he or she is doing, it's just ready to help them do it. That's the kind of progress these purists can live with.

Stay tuned for Part Two tomorrow.

Last edited by OWSIU; 07-23-2009 at 01:02 PM.
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Old 07-23-2009, 05:33 PM   #2 (permalink)
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2009 Nissan 370Z: Part Two - 2009 nissan 370z - Jalopnik

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Yesterday, we told you that the 2009 Nissan 370Z uses technology to boost driver involvement. Let's pick apart the Z's new technological bits, piece by piece.

Exterior Design: ****
For reasons we don't really understand, the 370Z's styling is strangely controversial. We think it's a hugely successful reinterpretation of the 350Z's basic proportions, now adding references to the original 240Z in the cantilevered roof. Referencing history rather than shamelessly copying it like the three American muscle cars. Details like the wildly flared fenders, harpoon headlights and silly door handles are a bit much viewed independently, but somehow combine to create a very appealing whole.

Interior Design: ***
This is where you feel the pinch, literally, of the swoopy exterior. While forward vision is extraordinary for a front-engined car, rear vision is virtually nonexistent and the blind spots over your shoulders are huge. I had to crawl into the trunk to find an angle from which I could see out of the dinky little rear 3/4 windows. Over the 350, material qualities and the design has improved considerably, but the Gameboy graphics-inspired clocks and over use of the Z logo are still pretty tacky. Ignore all that though, because the Z nails the fundamentals - supportive, manually adjusting, heavily bolstered seats and a good relationship between the wheel, pedals and gear lever. We just wish the steering wheel telescoped, because we can't quite achieve the wheel-in-lap driving position we prefer. Pack light, there's not much room.

Acceleration: *****
4.7 seconds to 60 MPH is damn good for a $30k sports car. Peak torque (270 Lb-Ft) arrives at 5,200 RPM and peak power (332 HP) at 7,000. That might not sound hugely flexible, but there's now plenty of power and torque throughout the rev range, meaning overtakes can be achieved without downshifts. Alternatively, downshift for the full experience anyways. Unlike a lot of modern engines, the power actually tapers off before the redline, meaning you won't find yourself constantly hitting the rev-limiter, thank you Nissan.

Braking: *****
14-inch discs up front and 13.8 rear on the Sport pack are reassuringly powerful and fade-free. Pedal travel isn't too long like in most passenger cars, nor too short as in some performance vehicles. The relationship with the throttle for heel and toeing is pretty good and the SyncroRev Match really helps smooth heavy deceleration.

Ride: ***
Better than the old model, but you're still riding in a stiffly sprung performance vehicle with optional 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires. High quality components in the suspension and fairly light forged aluminum wheels help a lot, low unsprung weight FTW.

Handling: *****
Also better than the old car, the 370Z is responsive, communicative and neutral - neither understeer or oversteer is hugely apparent. Hardigree and a few others have expressed concern that the Z is no longer really involving. The problem there is that it's very capable and the summer performance tires have an awful lot of grip (instrumented tests have reported in excess of 1 g on skidpads). Experienced performance drivers will find this rewarding, but those with a little lower skill level would probably do better in a car with narrower tires but an equally good chassis. Take a look at the Hyundai Genesis Coupe if you meet that description.

Gearbox: *****
Shifts are slick and short and clutch effort is a bit firm, but predictable. Combined with the SyncroRev Match system that perfectly heel-and-toes for you on every down shift and this is one of the best 6-speeds in the business.

Audio: **
The basic stereo is, well, basic. The bass is a little distorted and too strong and the overall cabin acoustics aren't exactly conducive to good sound either. Having said that, the exhaust note and intake roar sound damn good, but aren't quite up to 2010 Mustang GT levels of excitement.

Toys: ***
The SyncroRev Match is really the only toy here, but it's a good one. Just focus on driving, not playing with stuff in the cabin.

Value: ***
It kind of depends on what you're looking for. $32,930 for our Sport pack-equipped car is a hell of a bargain considering how fast and capable the Z is, but it's an impractical car with only two-seats and very little luggage space. That's a criticism that could be leveled at any two-seater. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe now offers most of the Z's performance in a more practical four-seat package with a real trunk for a few grand less.

Overall: ****
With the launch of the 2010 Camaro SS, 2010 Mustang GT and Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the Z has never faced stiffer competition, but the 370 has again raised the bar for performance coupes. Most people will probably argue that it's not fair to compare those cars to the Z and it isn't; it's much more capable than they are. Combine that performance with the new looks, new-found refinement and the sheer attention to detail found in the oily bits and shoppers looking for a fast, exciting car that they can just about afford need look no further.
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Old 07-23-2009, 05:33 PM   #3 (permalink)
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2009 Nissan 370Z: Part Three - 2009 nissan 370z - Jalopnik

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Should you buy the 2009 Nissan 370Z? Well, it depends on what your idea of the perfect sports car is and how fast you want to drive.

Why You Should Buy the 2009 Nissan 370Z:
You have two hobbies: driving fast and catfish husbandry. You love sports cars and you're either single or have a significant other prepared to drive something much more practical. You want two things from your car: performance and handling. You like the idea of technology working for you, but you're convinced AWD is a conspiracy to up-sell Americans on something they don't need. You're prepared to keep a spare set of wheels with winter tires in the garage. You're confident in your driving abilities.


Why You Shouldn't Buy this car:
You enjoy driving but you're happy admitting you're not the best driver and want something you can fully exploit at sane speeds. You're a single parent with children. You don't enjoy driving but you like the image that comes with fast sports cars and need something to compensate for your lack of ability and willingness to learn. You're a middle manager from Scranton, PA and you just need reliable, respectable transportation. You still wish you could buy a Zenith television instead of that foreign crap.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: Yes
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: Yes
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Trash: Yes
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: Yes
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No
Sheiklets: No
Very Serious Businessmen: Yes

Also Consider:
• 2010 Chevy Camaro SS
• 2010 Ford Mustang GT
• 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
• 2009 Audi TT
• 2009 Subaru WRX STI
• 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Nissan
• Model: 370Z
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $29,930
• Price as Tested: $33,745
• Engine type: 3.7L DOHC 24-valve VVEL V6
• Horsepower: 332 HP @ 7,000 RPM
• Torque: 270 Lb-Ft @ 5,200 RPM
• Transmission: 6-speed manual w/SyncroRev Match
• Curb Weight: 3,232 Lbs
• LxWxH: 167.2" x 72.6" x 51.8"
• Wheelbase: 100.4"
• Tires: 245/40WR19 (front) 275/35WR19 (rear)
• 0 - 60 mph: 4.7 secs (manufacturer quoted)
• Top Speed: 155mph (limited)
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 18/26 MPG
• Jalopnik Fuel Economy: 11.9 MPG (hoon/non-hoon mix 80/20%)
NHTSA crash test ratings: N/A

Last edited by OWSIU; 07-24-2009 at 03:59 PM.
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Old 07-23-2009, 05:50 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Wow, I'm going to buy another one.

What a great review.

Rudi.
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