LEAN AND MEAN The new 370Z promises to be even sharper to drive than its predecessor

By Justin Lee

LOCAL NISSAN DISTRIBUTOR Tan Chong Motor Sales organised a special preview of the new 370Z for the media at its Bukit Timah showroom on Wednesday.

Shorter than the outgoing 350Z by 88mm, its wheelbase has also shrunk by 100mm which Nissan claims would help sharpen the car’s handling. It is lighter too weighing in at 1,490kg for the manual version as compared with its predecessor’s 1,525kg while the automatic equipped model sheds 25 kg to come in at 1505kg.

Under the sculpted bonnet lies an enlarged and improved version of the old car’s 3.5-litre engine. This unit now displaces 3.7-litres and has a higher power output of 333bhp against the 3.5’s 294bhp.

Buyers can choose between two gearboxes, a six-speed manual and a newly developed seven-speed automatic. Of interest is the former which gets a SynchroRev Match function that automatically blips the throttle to smooth out any up or down shifts.

Performance wise, the 370Z is faster than the 350Z with the manual equipped car getting from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds (against 6.5 seconds) and the auto in 6.2 seconds (against 7.5 seconds). Both have top speeds that are electronically limited to 250km/h.

The car comes packed with features which include a keyless entry and ignition system, a BOSE audio system, bi-Xenon headlamps, 19-inch alloy rims, six airbags and a traction control system.

It is currently being offered at a special pre-launch price of $158,800 for the manual and $161,800 for the automatic. All prices are inclusive of COE. Current Nissan owners can enjoy an extra $2,000 loyalty discount.