Nissan: Economic cents

Nissan's 370Z offers more bang for your buck than its predecessor, and it's cheaper. Photo / Supplied

Nissan's 350Z proved a value-for-money sporting revelation that still looks good today. Can the 370Z top it? Perhaps. The economy might make for conservative spending, but this bang-for-buck recipe is now better than ever. Good news for Nissan, one of the big losers until it began a mighty product push that's culminated in the launch of this car, on sale tomorrow.

What's new

The 370Z bucks a trend by being more compact than before; lower, with a shorter wheelbase and overall length, though track is wider and the driver sits closer to the rear axle.

The 3.7-litre engine is more efficient, thanks in part to clever variable valve control similar to BMW's valvetronic set-up, and at 245kW at 7000rpm and 363Nm at 5200rpm it delivers more power and more torque for this lighter car.

The bonnet, boot lid and doors are aluminium, with weight shaved from a host of areas; the fuel tank is smaller dropping 6.3kg, the drivetrain loses 7.9kg, even the audio system is 1.6kg lighter. Brake response is excellent and becomes easier the more firmly you push the pedal; the dials are bigger and easier to read. One could go on and on. And on.

The company line

Is launching five new cars as headlines trumpet economy woes a bit scary? MD of Nissan NZ John Manley says not. "I think it's perfect. It's given us something to talk about instead of pushing product into a saggy market."

He's also talking price. At $71,200 for the manual and $73,200 for the auto, this car is actually more affordable than its predecessor.

What we say

This car's edgy skin looks the part while the less austere cabin gets much improved materials and some neat touches. The instrument pod adjusts with the wheel for example, and though there's no reach adjust, a wide range of seat movement offsets that.

The boot brace has moved forward, liberating more space; shame there's no tonneau or luggage net, though there is a handy space behind each seat.

The "synchro rev matching" that blips the throttle on down-changes - manuals feature a button to opt out - sounds like overkill. It isn't; it does smooth gear changes and you'll find you leave it in place.

Six-speed manual or seven-speed auto? The latter's a goodie, holding the gears and delivering large, easy-to-reach gear change paddles. I'd still take the manual though, as the drive experience is more involving.

Around town? Appreciate the Bose six-disc CD, the hands-free bluetooth and the peace of mind six airbags delivers in a two-seat car.

On the road

First impression - lots of tyre noise drowns the engine except on smoother surfaces, the downside of the 19-inch alloys. That's an acceptable compromise when the car is otherwise this good.

The engine delivers strong, linear pull from basement rpm - so strong that the ESP came on most often under hard acceleration, not an over-enthusiastic approach to bends, and it's so under-stressed that speeds crept up without us noticing.

Particularly given the handling was so assured, and the stoppers capable of hauling up until they reeked, without a hint of brake fade.

Why you'll buy one

The 370Z doubles as an around-town pussy cat and feral attack missile; bang for buck; rubbed-off glamour from GT-R sibling.

Why you won't

You need more than two seats; you don't approve of any car that encourages a feral approach to driving.