Nissan 370Z

Existing 350Z drivers will be surprised by how much their car has grown up. It still retains its raw soul and passion for slinging itself through corners, it still belts out the best V6 soundtrack in the business – it’s just that it does it all with a new-found level of refinement and finish that 350Z owners will not recognise.

• Comfort

  The ride on the 370 is now supple and composed, not the vision-blurring experience the 350 can be. This is partly because the 370 has been on a slimming regime, so its suspension has an easier time.

  

• Performance

  As its new moniker suggests, the 370Z is now powered by a 3.7-litre V6. Or, to be more exact, the VQ37VHR (for Very High Revving) engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift). Power has been increased to 322bhp, delivered at 7,000rpm, and max torque comes in at a high 5,200rpm, which flags up exactly how you are supposed to drive this car; as hard as you can. To make this thrashing process as easy as possible, Nissan has added something called synchro rev control - when you spec the sport pack - that automatically blips the throttle when you downchange to match the revs. It's a genius way of flattering the driver and keeping the car calm through the corners and it works flawlessly.

  

• Cool

  We approve. Slightly shorter and wider than the 350Z, the 370Z gets a bunch of added sleekness and, we reckon, more than a hint of GT-R about it.

  

• Quality

  The interior has been upgraded substantially. Where the 350 was an artless affair with masses of brittle black plastic and a functional atmosphere that belied its price and market position, the 370 is a fine mix of stitched leather and solid touch points. You'll find alcantara door trim, high-tech instrumentation and everywhere an attention to detail that makes the whole cabin feel expensive. Yet all the main controls (the wheel, the gearshift and the handbrake) retain the chunky, wieldy feeling of the original.

  

• Handling

  The 350's understeer has been greatly reduced, and the power oversteer is still as readily available as before, so after a few miles it's easy to think you're a bit of a tasty driver.

  

• Practicality

  A two-seater only, but driver and passenger have plenty of room to spread out. The biggest change is in the boot. That massively intrusive cross-brace in the 350 has been moved forward, so your shopping won't be guillotined every time you brake hard in the 370. There's less total space than in the 350, but it's worth the trade-off.

  

• Running costs

  In a world obsessed with economics and the environment, it's a welcome change to find a car that sticks its tongue out at such matters. So while its official combined fuel economy figure is in the mid-twenties, we expect less on the road. And at 280g/km of C02, it's into the most expensive bracket for both company car tax (35 per cent) and road tax bands (VED Band M at £405). Pricey but worth it.