Nissan 370Z Roadster (2010 – 2016) Review

Nissan 370Z
3.7 V6 [344] Nismo 3dr
£24,700

View Nissan 370Z cars for sale

Nissan 370Z Roadster (2010 – 2016) At A Glance

Great feelgood roadster. Looks and sounds great. V6 engine delivers muscular performance.

Firm ride on 19-inch wheels. High CO2 means expensive tax. Far from economical.

Insurance Group 47
On average it achieves 92% of the official MPG figure

The 370Z Roadster is every inch the sports car that the 370Z Coupe is. It's fantastic to drive, sharply styled and has an exhaust note to match anything else with a similar price tag. And that includes some pretty stiff competition, including the BMW Z4,

The only difference is that the swooping coupe roof is replaced with a well-insulated fabric roof. It looks good too. When it's raised, the roof mimics the look of the coupe and, at the press of a button, is lowered in just 20 seconds behind a panel behind the seats.

Like the 370Z Coupe, on which the Roadster is based, it's both shorter and wider than the old 350Z and has power from a larger 332bhp 3.7-litre V6 engine. Much of the original 350Z 'proper sports car' recipe stays the same, though, with rear-wheel drive, a large large capacity naturally-aspirated engine and a solid-feeling six-speed gearbox.

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Nissan 370Z Roadster (2010 – 2016) handling and engines

Engines range from 3.7 V6 to 3.7 V6 Automatic
Readers report Real MPG to be between 19–27 mpg

The 370Z Roadster has more than enough power to quicken the pulse. The 3.7-litre naturally-aspirated V6 engine produces 332bhp, enough to get the car from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds; top speed is 155mph. The 3.7-litre V6 engine not only sounds great, but is a pleasure to use.

At low revs, it lacks the kind of grunt that you'd find in a BMW Z4 sDrive35i, because the 370Z Roadster doesn't really get going until higher up the rev range: peak torque of 268 lb-ft isn't available 5,200 rpm. This means that the engine needs to revved very hard if you want to get the most out of it.

That's no bad thing, as under heavy acceleration the 370Z Roadster sounds fantastic - especially so with the roof down - with a hearty burble from the engine and a pleasing exhaust note. The six-speed gearbox is smooth and has a positive feel through every one of the gearchanges. Change down and the car automatically blips the throttle for smoother gearshifts.

You won't find the 370Z Roadster lacking when it comes to performance on the road. With sharp, well-weighted steering, it's a joy to throw into corners and it holds onto them with the same gusto as the 370Z Coupe. It holds its line well into corners and behaves exactly in the way you'd expect of a rear-wheel drive sports car.

Where the 370Z falls down over some rivals is its ride. It's very firm and not as forgiving as many of its rivals, including the BMW Z4 and Porsche Boxster. It's especially noticeable when the car's being used for everyday commuter driving - most bumps on the road can be felt in the cabin.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
3.7 V6	25–26 mpg	5.5 s	262 g/km
3.7 V6 Automatic	26 mpg	5.8 s	254 g/km

Real MPG average for the Nissan 370Z Roadster (2010 – 2016)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

92%

Real MPG

19–27 mpg

MPGs submitted

Nissan 370Z Roadster (2010 – 2016) interior

Boot space is 140 litres

Dimensions
Length	4250 mm
Width	1845 mm
Height	1325 mm
Wheelbase	2550 mm
Full specifications

Nissan has stuck with a fabric roof for the 370Z Roadster, where similar cars, like the BMW Z4, have a metal folding roof. It's a high quality affair - thick, well insulated and snugly fitted. At the press of a button it lowers in 20 seconds and is stowed out of view behind the seats. The car does need to be stationary in order for it to operate, though.

The cabin is smart, well screwed together and fitted with all the luxuries you'd expect from this kind of car. Depending on the model, there's climate control, keyless entry and ignition, satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and leather seats. But it lacks the sense of occasion that you get with a Porsche Boxster or Z4.

The driving position is near-perfect with a comfortable and highly adjustable driver's seat. Another neat feature is that the main instruments are attached to the steering column and move with it when it's adjusted for height, although this seems to prevent it from adjusting for reach. All that stops the 370Z Roadster from having a perfect driving position is over-the-shoulder visibility, although this is improved when the roof is down.

On the move, there's plenty of noise, some of it is welcome, some of it isn't. When pushed hard, there's a lot of engine noise, which is great when you're driving enthusiastically, but on the motorway the engine noise, combined with road noise, can make it rather tiring. Other than that it's a comfortable interior, with seats that stand up well to longer journeys and a decent amount of head and legroom.

The 370Z may be a sports car, but there's a also a useful boot. It's not huge, but because boot space isn't taken up with a metal folding roof, there's 310 litres on offer - more than enough room for a couple of overnight bags.

Nissan 370Z Roadster (2010 – 2016) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4250 mm
Width	1845 mm
Height	1325 mm
Wheelbase	2550 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	1561–1577 kg
Boot Space	140 L
Warranty	3 years / 60000 miles
Servicing	9000 miles

Costs
List Price	£32,115–£37,945
Insurance Groups	47
Road Tax Bands	L–M
Official MPG	25.2–26.2 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	-
Child	-
Pedestrian	-
Overall	-

On sale until May 2014

Convertible
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
3.7 V6 GT 2dr	£36,495	26.2 mpg	5.5 s
3.7 V6 GT Auto 2dr	£37,945	25.9 mpg	5.8 s

On sale until April 2013

Open Car
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
3.7 V6 2dr	£32,115	25.2 mpg	5.5 s

January 2010

Nissan 370Z Roadster available to order with deliveries starting 1st March 2010. Hood takes only 20 seconds to convert from closed to open. V6 engine now Euro 5 emissions compliant. 370Z Roadster and Coupe now available with Connect Premium – the same in-car entertainment and satellite navigation system as the GT-R 370Z Coupe priced from £28,000, Roadster available from £29,900. Roadster available in a new colour – Black Rose.

April 2010

Nissan 370Z launched

The 370Z Roadster is offered in seven exterior colours: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pearl White, Monterey Blue and a special premium colour, Black Cherry. Standard automatic latching power top, Nissan Intelligent Ke. Also offered are an array of technology and convenience features, including the first-ever Z Roadster-available heating and cooling ventilated net seats, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio and advanced Nissan Navigation System.

The soft-top roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z’s stunning styling with the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.

With the convertible top in the closed position, the design provides a sophisticated sloped-back appearance, the perfect balance between the soft top and the Z body design. The shortened windshield and aerodynamically rounded rear deck enhance the Z’s kinetic and dynamic character lines. When in the down position, the convertible top is concealed beneath a full body-colour hard tonneau cover, which extends forward to help create the Z® Roadster’s classic “double cockpit” style interior.

The standard black cloth convertible top features a fabric inner liner, which provides a quality appearance and helps reduce noise intrusion into the cabin, along with an enlarged (versus the previous generation Z Roadster) glass rear window with an integrated electric rear window defroster. The top operation takes approximately 20 seconds start-to-finish and is controlled by either a centre console-mounted switch or by a button located on the doors.

The automatic latch system secures the top to – or releases it from – the windscreen header without driver intervention. The shape and position of the glass wind deflector, located between the fixed headrest bars, has been optimised to reduce turbulence into the cabin.

Like the new 370Z Coupe, the Z Roadster’s new exterior is more aggressive in appearance and lighter and tighter in structure than the previous generation. The wheelbase is nearly 101.6 mm shorter (2550 mm versus 2649 mm) and overall length is reduced by 66.0 mm (4247 mm versus 4313 mm). The new Z Roadster features an aluminium bonnet, door panels and bootlid for reduced weight At the same time, the body structure was extensively revised, improving rigidity and stability. The 370Z Roadster includes additional structural reinforcement (over the 370Z Coupe), in both the A-pillars and side sills.

The Z Roadster features high back black woven “Carbon” cloth seats with 8-way manual driver’s/4-way manual passenger’s seat adjustments. Touring models include unique leather-appointed “net” seats with 4-way power/4-way manual operation on the driver’s seat (4-way power on the passenger’s seat). These second-generation net seats are exclusive to the Z Roadster and have integrated heating and cooling functions – ideal for open air driving no matter what the outside temperature. Adjustable front seat Active Head Restraints are also standard.

Other features include automatic climate control, two 12-volt power outlets, three cupholders (two in door panels, one in centre console) and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Touring model adds a 6CD Bose audio system with eight speakers (includes dual subwoofer) and MP3/WMA playback, XM Satellite Radio (XM subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and aluminium-trimmed pedals. This is the first time Bluetooth and satellite radio have been available on a Z convertible.

The 370Z Roadster interior is available in Black cloth or for 370Z Touring Roadster models, a choice of Grey, Black or Wine leather-appointed net seating.

Standard 332-horsepower 3.7-litre DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL), choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual available with “SynchroRev Match” (the world’s first synchronised downshift rev matching manual transmission), refined 4-wheel independent suspension and 4-wheel vented disc brakes (available with Nissan Sport Brakes).

Compared to the previous generation 350Z Roadster, the new Z convertible picks up 26 horsepower and 2 lb-ft of torque (332 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm, compared with the previous 3.5-litre V6’s 306 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm and 268 lb-ft of torque @ 4,800 rpm).

Along with its larger displacement, the 3.7-litre engine gives better power delivery all the way to the 7,500 rpm redline, improved low-end power and more high-end torque, creating an entirely new driving experience. Key to the enhanced performance is the VVEL system, which is able to optimise intake valve open/close movements, allowing the needed air to be sent promptly to the combustion chamber at the precisely optimised time. Since the VVEL system can adjust to open the valves slightly, it improves fuel efficiency by reducing camshaft friction and fuel waste. It also provides cleaner emissions by allowing for quicker warm-up of the catalyst and by stabilising combustion when the engine is cool.

The 2010 Z Roadster is offered with a choice of two new advanced transmissions – a close-ratio 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic. The 6-speed manual is available with SynchroRev Match (included in the optional Sport Package), which allows drivers of any skill level to experience professional-like gear shift performance. The SynchroRev Matc function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact 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. The system can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter for drivers who prefer less vehicle intervention.

The available 7-speed automatic includes Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode. Standard paddle shifters. The 7-speed’s wide gear ratios offer improved fuel efficiency, while the Adaptive Shift Control is designed to adjust to the driver’s driving style.

The Z Roadster also utilises the Z Coupe’s advanced 4-wheel independent suspension. The double-wishbone front suspension (which replaces the lower multilink setup in the 350Z) uses lighter forged aluminium arms and a lightweight rigid aluminium-alloy cradle, along with a lighter stabiliser bar with a 35 percent improved lever ratio. The 4-link rear suspension is also stiffer and lighter, with the rear cradle entirely integrated into a single part. “High response” shock absorbers are utilised on each corner for improved ride comfort.

The standard 370Z Roadster wheel and tyre package features 18x8.0-inch front/18x9.0-inch lightweight aluminium-alloy wheels with P225/50R18 front/P245/45R18 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer tyres. Available as part of the optional Sport Package are 19-inch RAYS forged lightweight aluminium-alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A P245/40R19 front/P275/35R19 tyres.

The Z’s standard 4-wheel vented disc brake system includes Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The optional Sport Package includes Nissan Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0- inch front and 13.8-inch rear discs (versus 12.6-inch front/rear standard discs) with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminium callipers.

Steering is provided by a vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion design. Unwanted steering kickback and vibrations are reduced with the addition of a solenoid valve that acts like a damper when there is a harsh impact load. A Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is standard.

The Nissan 370Z Roadster’s list of standard safety features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; door-mounted curtain air bags; and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.