2011 Nissan 370Z Review - Still a Winner

Who doesn't know what a Z is? In the United States in particular, the letter stands alone as a powerful association to Nissan and the Z sports car, which is a brand all to its own.

In history, there are certain cars that have achieved standout status like this, vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and Porsche 911 and others like the Chevrolet Camaro and Mazda Miata. The Z has an unmistakable cachet and aura. We, the lucky folks at Car Throttle, spent a week with the latest and greatest iteration, the Nissan 370Z, to find out how it places in the modern world of today's sportscars.

The whole Z story began with the original 240Z that came out in 1969. The car remained similar throughout the years with subsequent 260 and 280Z iterations. However, the car's size grew and it added weight, losing some of the purity of the original.

The 280Z and first generation 300ZX that debuted in 1983 didn't put a focus on performance quite like the original. That shifted focus was intentional: the added "X" was made to show the new cars put luxury into the equation as well.

The radical second-generation 300ZX in 1989 put the focus back on impressive performance, and in doing so it won a lot of acclaim. The 300ZX of that year still stands out as a defining car all to its own. However, the design of the 300XZ was all-new and it didn't hark back to the original, but instead blazed a new path. In 1996, the 300ZX, and therefore the Z lineup, was discontinued - but not for long.

By 2002, the Z returned with the 350Z that paid homage to the original, losing its "X" moniker that signified luxury. The 350Z asserted its place as a formidable entry in the world of performance. The subsequent 370Z was introduced for the 2009 model year and is a further evolution of the formula. It was remarkable for the fact that, by most measurements, it was reduced in size over its predecessor.

That is unusual for new generations of any vehicle type, which typically grow in all size measurements. The wheelbase was reduced by 4 inches, and the car 2.7 inches overall. Height was down by 0.3 inches and to help with stability, width was upped by 1.3 inches. An extensive use of aluminum in the 370Z helps keep weight down to 3232 pounds. The engine cradle is alluminum-alloy and the car's subframe, door panels, hood and hatchback utilize aluminum. The 370's proportions aim for a similarity to the 1969, but it's compact size and flowing, aggressive lines take it clearly into the modern world. It conveys motion at a standstill, and without being retro in the least, the design is brilliant for its recognizability as a Z.

Most importantly, it is a lot more dynamic than the 350Z it replaced. We think it makes its mark as the best looking Z yet. Our tester arrived with a stunning Cherry Black paint, a dark purple with a black hue.

Inside, the Z is pure sportscar goodness. There is something refreshing about its simplicity and cockpit-inspired feel. The Z is pure in its focus on the driving experience. Control knobs are simple, easy to use and within reach of the driver, and three gauges sit atop the dash.

The Z's traditional proportions give it a long, low hood that comes out in front of the driver. The seats are well-bolstered and hold you in place, and, along with the door panels, finished in a very nice grippy material. Overall, the quality of the interior is first rate, from ergonomics to plastics all around.

As Sod's Law would have it however, the weather played up during the 370Z's sleepover with us in the Orange County.

Instead of blue skies and sunny weather, rain and wind were on the menu, but also snow (imagine that!). In our part of California, it isn't a commonplace occurrence. As you can imagine, snow and the Z do not mix well. On icy snow-covered roads the Z was a handful, with the ride rear tires sliding out even low speeds. It isn't a car for snow climates, but hey we already knew that right?

Carving through backroads when the weather did decide to behave, the Z was an absolute joy. The car's rigid frame made for tight cornering, and the chassis worked brilliantly in concert with the steering. The steering was communicative and could be best-described as point-and-shoot. Nissan's ubiquitous 3.7-liter "VQ" V6 provides the motivation, directed to the rear wheels. The plant makes 331 horsepower and 269 foot pounds of torque. VQ is one of the best engines out there, and it is the perfect powerplant for the Z. It provided a contiuous stream of power throughout the power band. For instance, passing power in fourth gear was excellent and during acceleration, the front end would come up on the car's shock towers.

Our tester came with the six-speed manual (yes!) and was equipped with the Sports Package that includes Nissan's SynchroRev Match system.

The system is the world's first application of the technology. The main premise of the system is that it works with the car's Electronic Control Unit and engine sensors to determine the proper RPM during downshifts. To hit that level, it will blip the engine to offer smoother shifting. It proved a bit annoying to us, and can be a bit odd for those used to rowing their gears, learning the art of when to time shifts correctly. SynchroRev Match has been praised up and down for its ability to match revs perfectly when downshifting, but we like doing it ourselves without the interruption of technology in this area.

Other than perhaps SynchroRev match, the striking thing about the 370Z is its purity. The 370Z is rear-wheel drive and engineered extremely well, mated to a balanced chassis and a naturally-aspirated V6.

It doesn't need any fancy chassis software or forced induction to accomplish its goals. The 370Z no doubt occupies an important space in the car world today. Affordable and fun, the 370Z has matured into a top-flight sports car capable of competing with cars far above its price range.

2011 Nissan 370Z Specifications

Base price: $30,610Price as tested: $35,075Options: Sport Package, NISMO Performance Brakepads, Carpeted Floormats

Body: 2 doors with rear hatchback Drivetrain: Front mounted rear-wheel driveAccomodations: 2 passengers

Engine: Nissan VQ, six-cylindersDisplacement: 3.7 litersAspiration: NaturalFuel delivery: Port Fuel InjectionCompression ratio: 11.0:1Horsepower: 332 bhpTorque: 270 lb-ftRev limit: 7600 rpm

0-60mph: 5.1 secondsTop speed: 157 mph1/4 Mile @ ET: 13.6 secondsEPA fuel mileage estimate: 26 mpg highway, 18 mpg cityRecommended fuel: PremiumFuel Tank Capacity: 19.0 gallonsTheoretical Range: 376 miles

Wheelbase: 100.4 inchesLength: 167.2 inchesTrack (F/R): 61.0 inchesWidth: 72.6 inchesHeight: 51.8 inchesCurb weight:3232 pounds