Testing the NISMO 370Z

[Nissan Sport Editor]

We're in talks with Nissan North America to test the upcoming NISMO 370Z. With our publication deadlines, it doesn't look like we'll be able to squeeze it into our Spring 2009 issue timeline. But NNA said that we could get the car for an extended test for our Summer 2009 issue. We'll keep readers posted.

[NissanSportSarah]

Sign me up, I'll test it! (kidding.)

[Spyder Z 15]

You guys should get a giant's perspective of driving it. You know for the purpose of saying hey Dustin (Spyder Z 15) is 6'8" and fits comfortably in it or he has to stick his head out of the sunroof.

[dmuramoto]

Yeah, yeah, I know we'll have no shortage of volunteers to test here! BTW- keep your eyes open this coming Tuesday (4/7/09) at 3 PM MST for some new 370Z news on Nissan Sport's website (www.nissansportmag.com). While I can't reveal more at this time, it's sure to be of interest to 370Z fans everywhere!

[dmuramoto]

Here's a direct link to our First Look at the 370Z convertible and NISMO 370Z:

http://www.nissansportmag.com/....html

What do you think so far?

[audtatious]

I'd like to know the difference between the base and NISMO versions from a performance perspective. What gives it +20hp over the G

At this point I like the new 370z series except for the gas/temp gauge

[dmuramoto]

I'd like to know the difference between the base and NISMO versions from a performance perspective. What gives it +20hp over the G

At this point I like the new 370z series except for the gas/temp gauge

Excellent point on the "silver bling gauge"! The other ergonomic point is that it houses the multifunction display. Rather than have it up on the top of the dash (like it is with the 350Z), where you can check corner exit speeds or tire temps with the digitial readout in your field of vision, you have to look downwards to catch that critical bit of data. NOT GOOD in my view.

As for engine performance, Nissan has reduced backpressure on the exhaust and combined it with ECM tuning to gain that extra 18 HP. Clever- it won't be easy to get the same gains from a base model Z.

[audtatious]

Yeah, I assumed they did some fuel mapping and such to get the hp increases. I'm surprised they did some exhaust tuning as the factory exhaust systems are usually not a major limiting factor on Nissan/Infiniti G/Z products.

[DaveO]

... the factory exhaust systems are usually not a major limiting factor on Nissan/Infiniti G/Z products.

From early tests it appears Nissan left some extra 370Z power laying around in the form of a small diameter restrictive exhaust system.

I hope to be able to drive the 370Z and the corresponding NISMO version real soon! The Frontier doesn't do corners very well!

[audtatious]

Something yet to be seen. I know with the 2k2 Maxima the crush section of the B-pipe was thought to be restrictive as well yet did not show any true gains on a dyno, at least that I ever saw.

Time will tell what I need to do to my G for 350hp like the NISMO edition

[dmuramoto]

Something yet to be seen. I know with the 2k2 Maxima the crush section of the B-pipe was thought to be restrictive as well yet did not show any true gains on a dyno, at least that I ever saw.

Time will tell what I need to do to my G for 350hp like the NISMO edition

Nothing that millions of dollars worth of R&D facilities, a team of dedicated engineers and software developers couldn't help you with. The factory has such resources to draw on and it's getting harder and harder to make significant gains with any kind of bolt-ons.

[audtatious]

Yet it seems there is 20hp somewhere

[dmuramoto]

One of the stories coming out of ZdayZ was about the NISMO 370Z. The source is a reliable one and no names were revealed. Apparently, Nissan invited a "select" number of automotive journalists to drive the only USDM-spec pre-production model at Willow Springs. Unfortunately, Nissan Sport did not get invited to this event as pure circulation numbers appear to trump driver skill in these type of events.

In any case, "Big Willow" was used and this high-speed circuit is none too forgiving of errors. Nissan had both a earlier NISMO 350Z and a standard 370Z for their guests to warm up with. After this, one of the writers took the new 370Z out for the first laps. Entering T3, a decreasing radius RH uphill bend, he may have turned in early. Making this kind of mistake means the driver usually misses the apex badly and rapidly runs out of space at the exit of the turn. The NISMO 370Z speared off the track at high speed, plowed through the available runoff area and was launched over a large earth berm.

When the Z landed, it hit with such impact that both suspension and bodywork pieces were ripped off the car. The driver was shaken, but unhurt. The same could not be said for the car. As I understand it, the car was put back together a few weeks ago, but cannot be driven as the damage is too severe. It's a photo mule. The ensuing bad news is that there are no other PT models to drive and we'll have to wait until the next boat arrives (early July?later?) from Japan to test the NISMO 370Z.

[RED_DET]

What a shame....

[dmuramoto]

Yes, it's a shame and on so many levels...

I wonder if any NICO fans out there (particularly in SoCal) have any idea who the anonymous tester was that crashed the NISMO 370Z? Which publication or organization did s/he work for? Inquiring minds want to know!