Nissan

Nissan didn’t bother with a press conference in New York this year, but it did debut one of the most talked-about rides at the show, the convertible take on the current 370Z coupe.

 

Possibly the best-looking open-air Z yet, the drop-top carries over its 3.7-liter V6 engine, which develops 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, from the coupe. Compared with the previous generation 350Z Roadster, the new Z convertible picks up 26 horsepower and 2 lb-ft of torque from the previous 3.5-liter V6’s 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque.

 

The new ragtop also borrows much of it silhouette from the hardtop roadster. The major difference is obviously the power-retractable cloth top, which is designed to reduce wind turbulence and provide all-climate comfort for driver and passengers alike. Yes, I said cloth. Not a retractable hardtop, a trend that is now permeating the performance and luxe convertible category. The Z’s top opens and closes in 20 seconds with a single button push, which is a center console-mounted switch or by a button located on the doors, automatically latching and unlatching to the windshield header. When down, the convertible top is concealed beneath a hard tonneau cover.

 

The new Z Roadster also features an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk for reduced weight. Its body structure was extensively revised to improve rigidity and stability. For example, it has additional structural reinforcement in the A-pillars and side sills compared with the standard coupe.

 

Nismo Z
The all-new, second-generation Nismo 370Z, which is set to go on sale in June, was also on display here in the Big Apple. It features a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine that produces 350 horsepower at 7400 rpm and 276 lb-ft of torque at 5200 rpm; racing-inspired exterior and interior styling; a specially tuned suspension; and special super-lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels.

 

The Nismo 370Z is offered only with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with Nissan’s new SynchroRev Match synchronized downshift rev-matching manual transmission system. The SynchroRev Match function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the speed of the next gear position, essentially "blipping" the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. This not only allows the driver to focus more on braking and steering, it improves vehicle balance and smoothness by reducing the typical "shock" when the clutch is engaged.