A Nissan to let your hair down
San Antonio Express-News
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Prices for the redesigned 2010 Nissan 370Z roadster will begin at $36,970 (plus $720 freight) for the base model with a six-speed manual gearbox and $38,270 for the same model with a seven-speed automatic transmission, Nissan recently announced.
The roadster will be offered in four versions, the two base models and two Touring models. Touring models will list for $40,520 with the manual transmission and $41,820 with the automatic, the automaker said.
Nissan North America Inc.
The Nissan 370Z roadster is redesigned for 2010 and comes in base and Touring models. Prices start at $36,970.
This newest open-top version of the iconic Z car, which goes on sale in September, made its debut in April at the New York auto show. It was renamed as well as redesigned, changing from the 2009 designation of 350Z based on the size of the engine in the newer model — a 3.7-liter V-6, which replaces the ‘09 model’s 3.5-liter.
Extras on the Touring models, included in their higher price, include a Bose audio system with six-disc CD changer, XM satellite radio, Bluetooth phone system, universal garage opener, aluminum-trimmed pedals and power leather heated and cooled net seats.
Options, available only on the Touring model, include the Sport Package ($2,800), which brings 19-inch forged wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires, sport brakes, synchronizer for the manual transmission only, and viscous limited-slip differential. The Navigation Package ($1,800) adds a navigation system with 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and USB connection.
The roadster joins the redesigned 370Z coupe that went on sale earlier this year as a 2009 model. The convertible had continued unchanged for 2009 and remained the 350Z. This is the sixth generation of the iconic Z car that has been in the automaker’s lineup off and on for nearly 40 years.
Under the hood of both new models is a version of the award-winning Nissan VQ engine series, featuring 332 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque — up from 306 horsepower and 268 foot-pounds of torque with the previous model’s 3.5-liter engine.
Nissan revived the Z for 2003, the fifth generation, bringing the vehicle back to its lineup after a nearly seven-year absence. The previous generation, the 300ZX, was discontinued in 1996.
“As expected, the 370Z roadster delivers an exhilarating connection to the air, wind and environment on top of the new Z coupe’s exceptional levels of performance,” Al Castignetti, Nissan’s vice president and general manager for North America, said during the unveiling of the new model.
“But perhaps unexpected for a car this sporty is its greatly enhanced refinement and quality — as seen in features such as its one-touch, auto-locking convertible top and beautifully crafted interior.”
New features on the roadster include an automatic-latching power top and Nissan’s Intelligent Key system, which lets the car operate without having to put a key into the ignition.
Also new are heated/cooled/ventilated net seats, Bluetooth phone connectivity, satellite radio and a navigation system.
The only real difference between the coupe and the roadster is that the roadster has the soft convertible top. It’s been redesigned to help reduce wind turbulence in the cabin when it’s down. In the down position, the top is hidden under a hard body-color cover.
The top is made of black cloth, with a fabric inner liner that reduces some of the outside noise when driving with it in the up position. The top goes from open to closed or vice versa in about 20 seconds and is operated by a switch on the center console or buttons on the doors.
There is a glass rear window with a built-in defroster. There is a new glass wind deflector between the headrest bars to help minimize wind intrusion into the cabin.
As with the coupe, the new roadster is 2.6 inches shorter than the previous generation, with a wheelbase 4 inches shorter.
It’s lighter as well, with such features as an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk. But the entire structure was made more rigid to help increase stability, Nissan said.
It will be available in seven exterior colors: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pearl White, Monterey Blue and Black Cherry. Automatic high-intensity discharge xenon headlights are standard.
