2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster: Going topless!
The roadster model of the 370Z will make its debut on the Canadian market in October 2009 – that’s ten months after the coupe and just in time for winter! All jokes aside, the new roadster features many of the same characteristics as the 370Z coupe, and its performance potential is almost just as good.
As a general rule, convertibles or roadsters tend to be heavier and less rigid than their coupe counterparts. Not surprising then that the 370Z Roadster weighs 200 lbs. more than the coupe, but its chassis is remarkably rigid thanks to the addition of some structural elements. As a result, this vehicle demonstrates some great road handling. It’s not until you take a series of curves at high speed that you notice that the roadster rolls slightly more than the coupe – again, that’s because of the weight and the fact that the suspension is a little more flexible. The steering is quick, precise and gives good feedback, while the brakes are very effective and respond immediately. In terms of the vehicle’s dynamic characteristics, the balance is secure and the road handling is sporty. It’s just the firmness of the suspension that could pose a problem on our highways, which aren’t always in the best conditions.
Under the hood, the roadster and coupe have the same engine: a 3.7-litre V6 that produces 332 hp. It’s coupled with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic. While 55% of buyers will opt for the automatic and rarely maximize this vehicle’s potential, the manual transmission is the better choice for anyone genuinely interested in performance. Plus, the manual comes with the Synchro Rev Match system, which automatically controls the engine speed before downshifting, which means that even novices can come off as heel-and-toe experts. The engine’s only shortcoming is that the sound is relatively discreet, even with the top down. When you consider what this roadster was made for, it would have been better to have a V6 that purred a little louder.
The 370Z Roadster’s style is distinctly nicer than the previous convertible model. And the softop (which was kept because of weight considerations) doesn’t eat into the trunk space when it’s down, something the conceptors are fairly proud of. They’re also pleased that the roof can be lowered or raised while the vehicle is in motion, provided it’s not doing more than 5 km/hour. Why 5 km/hour when Porsche and Audi allow drivers to lose their tops at speeds up to 50 km/hour? The answer is simple and has nothing to do with mechanical considerations. It’s because Porsche and Audi "have better lawyers" and they seem to fear lawsuits less than Nissan does. As Dick the Butcher puts it in Shakespeare’s Henry VI, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.” So, if you decide to put the top up or down while at a red light, make sure you’ve got a good 20 seconds for the operation. Otherwise, you may find yourself explaning to the impatient driver behind you that even though the light has turned green, you can only inch forward ever so slowly because Nissan can’t seem to hire decent lawyers.
Inside, the design lacks consistency and the dashboard seems to be made of shoddy plastic. The 370Z Roadster, however, does have a fairly complete level of equipment. And the factory-standard seats are both heated and ventilated, which improves comfort. The base price is $46,998 for the manual and it goes up to $54,998 for the automatic equipped with the optional sport package and navigation system.
At the end of the day, the 370Z Roadster will appeal to buyers who appreciate a sporty look and sporty performances for a price that is often lower than that of established competitors.