2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe Again Offers Unmatched Balance of Performance, Style and Value
- Forty Years of Z®'s Sports Car Leadership Celebrated With Limited Production 40th Anniversary Package -
Forty years ago, in October 1969, the Datsun 240Z arrived in North
America, heralding a new era in sports car design. The new import from
Japan was a revelation - offering the performance of a Porsche, the
looks of a Jaguar and the price and reliability of, well, a Nissan. It
was an affordable sports car that could be driven every day and was
accessible to anyone with the $3,626 base price.
And though the price of a new Z® might have changed a little in the
past 40 years, its unmatched value, style, performance and segment
leadership remains stronger than ever. To celebrate, Nissan has created
a special, limited production version of the 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe,
the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. It will be available at select
Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in spring 2010.
The 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition starts out as a 370Z Touring model
equipped with manual transmission and Sport Package (including
SynchroRev Match, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport
Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous
limited-slip differential) and adds a premium "40th Quartz" exterior
color and red leather-appointed interior.
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Additional exclusive equipment includes a high-luster smoke wheel
finish, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear
hatch and front shock tower brace. Inside, along with the red
leather-appointed seats, are red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary
seatback and floormat embroidery, red stitching on the center stack,
shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red
stitching and a plaque of authenticity. Every 40th Anniversary Z® also
comes with a commemorative premium satin car cover.
Other changes for the 2010 model year 370Z Coupe are minimal. Following
the total redesign of the iconic Z® for the 2009 model year, the
enhancements include revised Navigation Package contents, the addition
of heated mirrors and in-cabin microfilter and one new exterior color,
Black Cherry.
"With the introduction of the totally new 370Z last year, Z® solidified
its position as one of the most desirable sports cars on the planet at
any price - as it has for the previous four decades," said Al
Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division,
Nissan North America, Inc. "Just as the original 240Z design still
looks remarkably fresh today, we think this current generation 370Z is
also destined to endure for many years to come."
In addition to the 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe, an open-air 370Z Roadster
and 350-horsepower NISMO 370Z are also available as (full information
on both models available separately - see Nissannews.com).
A Sculptural Yet Functional Exterior Design
The 2010 370Z's dynamic styling offers dual benefits - an aggressive
appearance and a light, highly rigid structure for enhanced
performance. The 370Z Coupe's wheelbase is nearly four inches shorter
than the previous generation Z® (100.4 inches versus 104.3 inches),
accomplished by moving the rear wheels forward in the 2nd generation FM
platform, while overall length is reduced by 2.7 inches (167.1 inches
versus 169.8 inches). At the same time, the overall width been
increased by 1.3 inches, the rear track by 2.2 inches and overall
height reduced by 0.3 inches, giving the 370Z a much more aggressive
stance.
The Z® features aluminum door panels, along with an all-aluminum hood
(the previous aluminum hood design utilized steel reinforcements) and
an aluminum hatch. At the same time, the body structure was extensively
revised for this generation design, improving front body torsion
rigidity by 30 percent; a new front suspension cradle to reduce front
body lateral bending; new rear structural reinforcements; and an
underbody "V-bar" to help reduce rear lateral bending. Other
enhancements include the use of a carbon fiber composite radiator
housing and strengthening of the rear fender and hatch areas.
Rear body torsion rigidity is improved by up to 22 percent and rear
body vertical bending rigidity is improved by up to 30 percent (versus
the previous generation). The result is enhanced overall solidity and
handling capability. Even with all of the body strengthening measures
the overall body-in-white is lighter than the previous body-in-white.
The 370Z 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 coefficient
of drag is 0.30 (0.29 with the Sport Package), the same as the previous
generation 350Z Coupe. The 370Z also maintains the previous
generation's zero front lift and zero rear lift when equipped with the
rear spoiler, thanks to extensive aerodynamics efforts - including an
"inverse area" front bumper design which smoothes the flow of air to
the sides of the vehicle, while the rear design maximizes the control
of air flow from the roof to the rear hatch. In addition, the front
overhang was extended 1.2 inches and more than 200 rear quarter panel
patterns were made and wind tunnel tested to counter the negative
aerodynamic effects of shortening the wheelbase (versus the 350Z).
One of the most distinctive features of the bold exterior design is the
headlight/taillight treatment, which features a fierce "boomerang"
shape. High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights
with auto on/off feature are standard.
The hood's deep character lines continue over the windshield into the
cantilevered roof design. The intense broad-shouldered rear shape is
highlighted by the integration of the boomerang taillights and wide,
flared rear fenders.
The 370Z's 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. Attention to detail and functionality is
evident throughout the exterior design, including the addition of a
flashing (repeater lamp) side marker lamp/emblem.
Performance body pieces are available as part of the optional Sport
Package, including a front chin spoiler and rear spoiler. The 370Z is
offered in eight exterior colors: Pearl White, Monterey Blue, Brilliant
Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red, Platinum Graphite, Black Cherry (new
for 2010) and 40th Quartz (exclusive to the 40th Anniversary Package).