Nissan 370Z Forum - Examiner's Review of the Nismo 370Z

Road Test: 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z; driving Miss NISMO

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As fans of Nissan performance know, NISMO stands for NISsan MOtorsports, and it’s the source of all things high performance for Nissan vehicles from offroad to sports cars. And as fans of the Nissan Z also know, there was a NISMO version of the last generation of Z, the Nissan 350Z coupe. So when the new Nissan 370Z coupe debuted for the 2009 model year, there could be little doubt that Nissan North America's Specialty Vehicles Group would follow with a 370Z NISMO.

Indeed, all hail the 2009 Nissan 370Z NISMO.

The 370Z NISMO represents a thorough upgrading of the 370Z from engine to suspension to aerodynamic tweaks. The latter, much more than styling flourishes, start with an extended nose and front splitter along with a lift-reducing canard design at the front corners. Sill extensions along the sides of the NISMO Z plus a special rear bumper help control airflow under the car, while the functional rear wing reduces lift at the rear.

Overall the changes to the body of the second generation NISMO Z are much more integrated than its predecessor, which even Nissan admits had a “tacked on” look, as if the various bits were added as an afterthought. The conversion-to-competition appearance gave the previous NISMO Z, the Nissan NISMO 350Z, a somewhat rough and ready look attractive in its own way, but the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z is sleeker and undoubtedly more aerodynamic.

The NISMO conversion NISMO Z’s drivetrain takes the bigger and more powerful (compared to the 350Z NISMO) engine of the standard 370Z and adds even more power with an H-design dual exhaust system, bumping output from 332 horsepower to an even 350.

The 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z is also limited to only the six-speed manual transmission with the rev-matching downshift feature. As with other Nissan vehicles using this system, the transmission blips the throttle like a heel-and-toe downshift expert for a smooth engagement and less of a jerk when engaging the clutch. Oldtimers who insist on downshifting the old fashioned way can turn the feature off.

The Specialty Vehicles Group modified the suspension of the NISMO Z by stiffening the chassis with a strut tower brace, then firmed up the shocks, springs and anti-roil bars. Front spring rates were bumped fifteen percent and the rear spring rates ten percent. The front anti-roll bar is fifteen percent stiffer and the rear increased by fifty percent, increasing the total roll resistance by fifteen percent. The NISMO Z's shocks are forty and 140 percent firmer than the standard 370's.

Nineteen-inch wheels are standard on the NISMO 370Z, special RAYS forged aluminum, five spoke with "NISMO" embossed on one spoke. Wheel sizes are staggered, 19x9.5 inches in front, 19x10.5 inches front and rear respectively. Yokohama ADVAN Sport tires with a Y speed rating (that's a 186 mph safety rating, for what it matters) are standard equipment (245/40ZR19 front, 285/35ZR19 rear).

Bigger brakes are on the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z as well. Big 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear ventilated rotors are combined with aluminum four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers. A variable ratio brake pedal results in "a more direct pedal stroke feel," says Nissan. Naturally, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA) and stability control are all standard, and the NISMO 370Z has a viscous limited slip differential.

Special Vehicles Group also reworked the vehicle-speed sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering, redesigning the mounting bushings and adding a steering column insulator for improved response. A solenoid valve, which acts like a shock absorber, reduces steering kickback and vibrations.

If one didn't notice this Nissan was a NISMO model from the outside, one should surely know from the inside. There are NISMO logos on the seatbacks and tachometer face, plus red stitching on upholstery and steering wheel to contrast with the black.

The woven-cloth seats are well bolstered and have anti-slip material for the main seating areas, the better told hold occupants in place during vigorous driving. Only manual seat adjustment is available.
Indeed, the Nissan NISMO370Z comes with no options other than a palette of five exterior colors, but the model comes well equipped, with standard features including keyless access with pushbutton start, one-touch up/down power windows, automatic climate control and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with lighted steering wheel controls.

Our test 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z was in a color simply named Solid Red, and that's kind of the way we felt about it. Aesthetically we consider the 2010 NISMO Z a significant improvement over its predecessor, overall more mature without losing any visual high performance.

The basics of the 370Z NISMO are largely similar to the standard 370Z coupe. The outward view is just as limited by the high cowl forward and even worse to the rear, with the rear window, already like looking through a Cheerios box with the bottom punched out, bisected by the rear wing. It's quite difficult to see what's directly behind, particularly any vehicle with extra multicolored lights.

The ride is similar to the 2009 Nissan 370Z with the Sport package we recently tested, though firmed up even more. It's never harsh but it's undeniably firm. If you have any jiggly parts on your body, the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z will set them a-jiggling, particularly on lumpy pavement. It handles bumps well, adhering to continuously wiggly pavement surfaces but the driver will weary from the, um, feedback. We didn't have the opportunity to drive the 370Z on racetrack smooth surfaces at racetrack speeds, but our public road experience makes us believe the testing the car on that venue would be an enjoyable event.

Speaking of events, when we had to dodge a truck tire alligator in the middle of the road, the Nissan NISMO 370Z went this way quickly and then back that way just as fast. Nimble is the word.

We liked the way the NISMO Z sounded from the outside and having the windows down made the hotrod Z more enjoyable than the engine and exhaust sounds that made it into the cabin. If we're paying extra for the NISMO Z, the soundtrack should be standard equipment.

The 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z has a base price of $39,130, and Nissan believes it will appeal to a largely male audience, largely single and younger than other Z buyers, with a strong possibility that it will be the owners only car. It's a pre-kid car. Older buyers will prefer softer wheels.

Nissan also says that there's a strong brand loyalty in cars in this market segment but they've seen owners of Porsches coming to the NISMO. The same performance, they say, for $20,000 less. It does make a difficult decision, even for automotive journalists who don't have to spend their own money for such transportation (but who don't get to keep them, either). We're just glad there's a choice...and another generation.

Illustrations: 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z. All photos by John Matras.

Much more positive Nismo review than others I've seen...