08 April 2009 - 11:00
Off with its Zed
The 370Z Roadster has landed. This is a good thing. We’ve just driven the hard-top version of Nissan’s new Z-car – check out the May edition of Top Gear magazine, on sale next Thursday, for the full story – and, in short, it’s a deeply good thing.
No reason why the convertible should be any less excellent. It has just been unveiled at the New York Auto Show and, happily, has shunned the fashion for folding hard-top roofs in favour of a simpler, lighter fabric affair.
Electrically operated, it’ll raise or lower in 20 seconds, folding neatly below the boot-top tonneau cover. There’s an inner fabric layer which, says Nissan, reduces noise levels, though don’t expect the 370Z to be quite so hushed at speed as, say, the tin-topped BMW Z4.
It should be lighter, mind: though Nissan hasn’t confirmed the weight of the 370Z convertible, the coupe is a full 155kg lighter than its 350Z predecessor, so we’d expect the soft-top to be commensurately lighter, too. Strengthening has been limited to reinforced A-pillars and side sills.
Speed shouldn’t be a problem. The convertible gets the same 326bhp 3.7-litre V6 as the coupe, up 26bhp on the previous generation Z. The coupe will hit 60mph in 5.4 seconds, and the soft-top should be no more than a tenth or two slower. That’s Boxster-rivalling pace, especially if you opt for the six-speed manual ‘box with ‘Synchro Rev Control’, a neat system which heel-and-toes downshifts for you.
We’ll see the 370Z convertible in the UK later this summer. Expect prices to start around £30,000.
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WTF the May edition??? Only yesterday the April edition arrived at my doorstep. In CH that is and without Stig's DVD.
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btgbuivhreuighthrvuigtebuviht First Comment!!!!!!!!
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UGLY, STUPID, CO**ISH AND RIDICULOUS
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It looks great. And well finished, which was not the case with 350Z.
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hhhm nice. Why does it have to be that colour though?
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Have to admit, in the pics it doesn't look so good but have seen and sat in the coupe and in the metal that looks great. Have to assume the soft top will too. Just one question, why brown? Did we go back in time to the 70's? Hideous color.
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^ The Datsun 240Z of 1972 was a very similar colour. I'd say it is a reference to the Z's past. But I daresay it also comes in yellow, blue, etc. Hopefully not silver though.
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Thank goodness they've not gone with a fashionable but expensive, heavy and overly-complicated metal-folding-top. Looking good. Still not sure about those headlights though...
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I think its great that there is a z4 alternative! and now im all excited about the may edition, i hope it comes in time for my birthday next week!!! YAY!!
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although your right the colour is a bit to seventies.... not entirely a bad thing tho the 70's.....i love my flare jeans!!
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Surely you mean double declutch ... you wouldn't want it heel-and-toeing for you now would you?
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that is one bloated ass!!!
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sick like it all apart from the colour should of done it in black or a dark metallic blue
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What is with the colour of that thing?! Usually manufacturers put out some "interesting" colours of the launch car but that is just hideous.
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i'm not a big fan on nissan z-eds, especialy the soft top versions and i think the hole range os z-eds are awfull (refering to its face and back).
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I think that's much better than the 350Z....I hope....
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Open Car Bar
Mikeado commented on this article
08 April 2009
I'd take one over a fatty Z4 anyday. The nose looks a bit short and pinched, but otherwise it looks really good. Lovin' those curves. If there's one thing Nissan can do, it's sports cars.
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