The 2009 Nissan 370Z: All New, Shorter, Wider, and Faster

The 370Z is an all-new car from Nissan. This is the sixth-generation car and the wheelbase is almost four inches shorter than the previous-generation 350Z, and everything on the outside of the car is new. Overall, the 2009 Nissan 370Z is 2.7 inches shorter and 1.3 inches wider. The new 370Z looks similar to the 2008 version, but just about everything has been redesigned or changed in some way. To keep the look of the original 1970 Datsun 240Z, they kept the same rear quarter window lines. The new lights and rounded lines on the rear have the same kind of look that you see on the Porsche.

The interior still has two comfortable seats for the driver and passenger to travel in comfort, but there are improvements in the overall design and materials over last years model. It starts with a new steering wheel borrowed from the Maxima with controls of the stereo and cruise control. Although getting into the Z is a little more difficult than your average SUV, it is on par with most sporty coupes. The more difficult thing is getting out of the car once you have settled into the cockpit.

The new interior is in line now with some other sports cars costing a lot more. The thing I noticed after driving the car for the first time was the tire roar on rough road surfaces. As the week went on, I found myself getting used to the noise and almost forgot about it because I was having so much fun driving the Z.

I tested the 370Z with the Sport package which adds $3,000 and includes 19-inch forged lightweight aluminum-alloy Rays wheels, fitted with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A high-performance radials.

Spoilers on the front and back which lower the car's drag coefficient from 0.29 to 0.28. Also included with the Sport package are higher-spec brakes with 14-inch front rotors and 13.8-inch rear rotors (versus 12.6/12.1-inch standard rotor sizes) with four-piston front and two-piston rear aluminum calipers. The chassis calibrations are otherwise the same as on the base car.

The standard 370Z is well equipped, and includes the Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature, a center console box with a new non-intrusive cover design, automatic climate control, rear window defroster with timer, two 12-volt power outlets, four cupholders (two in door panels, two in center console), dual overhead map lights and a AM/FM/CD/AUX four-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls. It comes with the standard six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. ($29,930)

Driving the new Z car is a blast. With the new DOHC V6 engine now enlarged to 3.7-liters and 332 horsepower, it has plenty of power and a high operating speed. It's mated to a six-speed manual with Nissan's interesting new SynchroRev system that matches revs for you on downshifts as long as the system is switched on at a button alongside the gear position indicator.

For those not versed in the art of double-clutching, Nissan's SynchroRev system helps out enormously by raising the throttle rpms on downshifts to match engine speed with rear-axle speed for smooth synchronization of the transmission. Unlike true double-clutching, SynchroRev does not first select neutral then rev the engine to the required speed, so the synchronizers are still called upon to help out. You can feel the sensation through the shift lever as the synchros clutch in, and the purists among us would still prefer to do it on our own. But there's no denying that it's a nice idea for most people, and even for purists on occasion.

The base Z is a fun car and would make a great everyday commuter and a fun car to take to the track. But the Sport package is designed for the true driving enthusiast who wants to experience the next level of performance that the average person could care less about. Even the base Z looks like its doing 100 mph just sitting in the parking lot. Even with the added road noise from the 19 inch wheels and tires, I would definitely spend the extra three grand to get the Sport package upgrades.