By Nate Martinez
Photography by Julia LaPalme

For their all-new 2009 Nissan 370Z coupe, Nissan engineers and designers have infused a heavy dose of the "everyday sports car" concept begun by the car's forefather -- the iconic Datsun 240Z -- into its latest two-passenger ride. The 370Z is making its much-anticipated world debut at the Los Angeles auto show this week, and Nissan has finally released all the details.
Starting under the hood, the new 370Z employs a version of Nissan's revised, fourth-generation 3.7L VQ37HR V-6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control. Similar to the unit in its Infiniti G37 cousin, the engine is composed of 35% new components versus the outgoing 3.5L VQ35HR motor. In the 370Z, the engine makes 332 hp at 7000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque at 5200 rpm and sits 0.6 in. lower in an effort to improve the car's center of gravity. Nissan insists the engine offers better power delivery through redline, as well as improved low-end power and high-end torque.

Power is transferred to the Z's rear wheels via either a short-throw six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission, both of which offer interesting new features. For the manual, Nissan is introducing what it calls the world's first Synchronized Downshift Rev Matching system, a feature that automatically controls and matches engine speed to the exact speed of the next gear, basically "blipping" the throttle for smoother downshifts and near instant power delivery when exiting a corner. Not to worry purists, Nissan has installed a system turn-off button for customers who prefer to heel-toe on their own.
Similarly, the seven-speed auto features a Downshift Rev Matching system mated to Adaptive Shift Control. Both computer-controlled programs were designed to mimic a manual transmission with shifts taking around 0.5 sec to achieve, according to Nissan. With either transmission bolted on, the more powerful 370Z achieves fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city/ 26 mpg highway -- a slight improvement over the outgoing 350Z.

As part of its effort to improve the new Z's handling, Nissan added a new three-point front strut brace to the mix. This piece alone increases front body torsion rigidity by as much as 30%, according to the automaker. Revised suspension cradles both front and rear reportedly allow for a better dialing-in of camber, caster, and toe. The car's double wishbone front setup utilizes forged aluminum links while the four-link rear is fully integrated into the platform, meaning no welding was necessary. Further bracing the entire structure is a V-Bar underbody unit located centrally, as well as a rear body torsion bar Nissan says improves body torsion up to 22% and rear body vertical bending rigidity by up to 30%. Stopping the car are four-piston, 14-in. front, 13.9-in.two-piston rear brakes on the Sport Package with the 19-in. forged aluminum Rays wheels. Base Zs employ 12.6-in. front/12.12-in. rear binders that sit behind standard issue 18-in. alloys.

Nissan worked hard to keep the excess body fat off of the 370Z, employing a tighter, more compact FM (front-midship) architecture with a shorter wheelbase (100.4 in. versus 104.3 in.) and overall length (167.1 in. versus 169.8 in.) compared with the outgoing 350Z, but boasts a 1.2-in.-longer overhang. The new Z's rear track has been widened 2.2 in. in an effort to improve grip and its height reduced 0.3 in. for lower drag coefficient (0.30 Cd, 0.29 Cd with Sports Package). But making it smaller was only one part of the 370Z's strict diet. Components including the fuel tank (reduced by 13.9 lb), audio system (3.5 lb), and wheels (26 lb total) were replaced with less weighty pieces, and aluminum construction was used on the 370Z's hood, doors, and rear hatch. A carbon-fiber constructed radiator housing and driveshaft further reduce the car's heft. It is estimated that the new car is some 30-50 pounds lighter overall than the outgoing 350Z.

Notable exterior features on the new Z include a revised front fascia with an "inverse area" that Nissan says directs air more efficiently along the sides of the car. Above the "barbed" bi-Xenon headlights sits the all-aluminum hood incorporating deep design lines stretching over the windshield and on to the GT-R-like cantilevered roof. Nissan says the lines allow for air to pass more easily over the hatch without hindering the car's aero signature. Below the rear bumper, a diffuser helps keep the new Z planted firmly on the tarmac, and as with the previous-generation car, the 370Z comes with a rear spoiler designed to reduce lift during high-speed runs. Seven new colors can be had on the coupe including Pearl White, Monterey Blue, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red, Platinum Graphite and special premium signature color, Chicane Yellow.

While its sharp-looking front and rear aerodynamics provide ample wind-tunnel-proven efficiency, it's the new Z's side profile that's bound to draw more looks. The completely reworked doors feature new glass elements that lead into shorter B-pillars incorporating small upswept quarter windows -- a cue cribbed from the classic 1970 240Z. On the front quarter panels, the redesigned "Z" emblems indicate the car's heritage while also acting as flashing turn signals. Without going too retro crazy, clearly Nissan's designers have employed more elements from Z's past. Finding their way onto the latest iteration (even more so than on the outgoing model), are the classic "Z" elements including a long nose, a canopy cockpit, bold fenders, and vertically positioned door handles.

Not to be outdone by the exterior designers, Nissan's interior team also worked hard at improving the new Z's cabin. Cutting directly between the passengers is a full-length center console with more storage capacity. The new layout is part of a three-layer interior concept consisting of an information layer (instruments, gauges), operation layer (pedals, steering wheel, shifter) and holding layer (seats, kneepads, door trim). The car's "oval" steering wheel was designed to provide maximum grip for hands of all sizes. Below the Maxima-inspired multimedia stack is an angled shifter positioned for optimal short throws. A larger attached instrument cluster first seen on the 350Z sits behind the baseball-stitched leather wheel. All instruments have been increased in size in order to provide clearer readings. Located on the central dash is the model's signature three-pod cluster indicating voltage, oil temperature, and speed.

Nissan continued its individual seat design and situated the driver in a lower position for better pedal control. For improved heel-toe action, the accelerator pedal is floor-mounted -- a cool touch. Both seats incorporate anti-slip cloth on standard models, while the driver's seat features leg cutouts designed to aid shifting. On models equipped with the cloth seats, drivers will find eight-way manual adjustability, four-way for passengers. The Touring model gets four-way power heated leather available in gray, black, or persimmon. Only a black cloth color scheme is available on the Standard model. More storage capacity has been created by the removal of the pronounced rear strut bar and allows for shelf space directly behind the seats.
The 2009 370Z will be available in Standard and Touring trims when it hits showrooms this January. Only two option packages -- Sport and Navigation -- will be offered, which should make ordering fairly simple.
The Touring trim level adds heated leather power seats, Homelink transceiver, Bluetooth phone system, eight-speaker Bose audio system, cargo cover and aluminum pedals.

Models with the Sport Package will feature the bigger Nissan Sport brakes, 19-in. Rays wheels, front and rear aerodynamic add-ons, Synchronized Rev Match (six-speed manual only), and a Viscous Limited Slip Differential. The Navigation Package includes the Nissan nav system, 9.3 gigabyte Music Box Hard Drive, and an iPod interface.
Nissan hasn't yet set pricing for the 370Z, but it's expected to announce approximate base price of around $30,000, with fully optioned models hitting the mid-$40,000 range. A convertible version is expected later next year as a 2010 model. Considering its more expensive competition including the Porsche 911 and Audi TT, the 2009 Nissan 370Z should be well positioned to put up an entertaining fight and gain the love of many new buyers.