There aren’t too many true sports cars on the road today, but from our first impressions to riveting drive time behind the wheel of the 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring, this car delivers for sports car enthusiasts. Our test model sported a pearl white exterior that added a soft touch to the otherwise untamed sports machine waiting for you to hit the push-button start so the games could begin!
Exterior
The styling of the 2011 Nissan 370Z is unmistakable on the road, and with the aggressive design this pure sports car makes statements whether she is on the road or sitting idle. The low stance with the history of the Z car abound, we get a peak at the past but a clear vision of the future in the design of the 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring. Our test model was the upscale Touring edition and came equipped with 19 inch RAYS forged wheels that developed a following of their own while we drove the 370Z. Also included were front chin and rear spoilers, Bi functional Xenon headlights, power remote control door mirrors, heated outside mirrors, fender mounted Z emblem side markers, aluminum hood, hatch lid and UV shielded glass. According to Nissan, “The 370Z’s taut exterior design incorporates intentional 240Z styling cues, a sleek aerodynamic shape, a ‘dynamic motion’ feel with a dramatic cantilevered roof and a ‘low visual gravity.’ The sleek silhouette is defined by its upswept quarter window design that is echoed by the dynamic upward curvature in the lower rocker panel and the sense of the taut sheet metal molding itself around the wheels and frame.” We feel the exterior of the 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring rivals some of the ultra expensive sports cars and gets as much or even more attention than rivals while on the streets.
Interior
Our loaner had an amazing color combination of orange synthetic suede and orange and brown leather seating and trim that was as far from boring as we’ve seen in awhile. The cockpit is a traditional two seater that is built around the driving experience. The design focus incorporates a “layer concept,” with an information layer, an operation layer and a holding layer which are well designed and basically derived to make the driver as aware of the road and comfortable while driving the 370Z. Our test model was loaded with drivers’ seat adjustable lumbar support, Hard Drive Nissan Navigation system with 7 inch VGA color monitor, 9.3 GB HDD music box, USB Connection port for iPOD interface and other devices, streaming audio via Bluetooth, DVD video playback capability, XM Nav traffic and weather, rear view monitor, heated seats, synthetic suede door panel inserts, aluminum trimmed pedals, sharp 3-spoke steering wheel aluminum Z emblem, tilt steering column with integrated wheel and instrument panel cluster, cruise control with illuminated steering wheel controls, heart thumping 8 speaker Bose audio system with 6 disc in-dash CD including two subwoofers, Bluetooth hands free phone system and much more that we could list. Even with all of the technology in the cabin of the 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring, everything is laid out to where you know you are in a sports car that is built for “driving adventure” with the interior built around the driver.
Performance
The 3.7 Liter DOHC V6 engine with variable valve event and lift (VVEL) that delivers 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque will make your time behind the wheel of the 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring a test of your driving skills every time you cruise the roads! We also had a 6 speed manual transmission, continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS), micro finished crankshaft and camshafts, electric drive by wire throttle, rack and pinion vehicle speed sensitive power steering, independent aluminum double wishbone front and rear suspension, front and rear vented disc brakes with NISMO performance brake pads, front and rear stabilizer bars and a 3-point front strut tower brace. The new 370Z design came through by improving front body torsion rigidity by 30 percent and adding a front suspension cradle to help reduce front body lateral bending, rear structural reinforcements, and an underbody “V-bar” to help reduce rear lateral bending. With the 370Z, turns are more fun due to the low gravity and wide stance, along with the performance features mentioned above. Along with the incredible driving experience is solid fuel efficiency at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Overview
There are some really interesting designs on sports cars today or cars that look like sports cars but act like nothing of the sort. No worries with the sleek 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring, as this beast is all sports car with the fluff left for the pretenders out there. The sticker on our loaded 370Z came in at $41,995, which gives you the design, power and handling of much more expensive sports cars. As the Z brand has evolved under Nissan, it’s refreshing to see that they kept true to the history and roots of the original Z cars while demonstrating the vision to embrace a new generation of car enthusiasts with the 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring!
