Nissan PH to offer 370Z, 370Z Nismo sport cars

 

Nissan has been climbing steadily up the Philippine sales charts, outpacing market growth. It has done this mainly on the wheels of two utility vehicles, the Navara pickup and the Terra SUV. Nissan Philippines will soon be flexing two other muscles as well, that of technological innovator (Leaf electric car) and performance purveyor.

The performance part has been established in the Philippines with the official presence of the GT-R sports car, aka Godzilla. Now Nissan is re-introducing its core sports car to the Philippines: the 370Z coupé.

Launched 50 years ago as the Fairlady Z, Nissan’s Z car has a rich history of performance. First-generation Z cars were launched under the name 240Z and are now highly-desirable collector’s cars.

The 370Z is the sixth generation of the sports car, built on a classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The 370Z is powered by a 3.7-liter V6. Nissan’s Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) technology helps to quicken response and broaden the torque curve. Power is rated at 327hp and 363 Nm. The V6 engine is one of Nissan’s most sophisticated, with a carbon-fiber composite driveshaft that helps the engine rev more quickly, and a carbon-fiber composite radiator support structure to save weight. The engine will be mated to a choice of 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission. The 6-speed features SychroRev Match that can blip the throttle for smoother downshifts. The 7-speed gives a wider spread of gearing and improved fuel efficiency, as well as saving your left leg from cramping in the city’s bumper-to-bumper traffic. Juicy standard equipment includes forged alloys and sport brakes, making the two-seater more ready for both road and track use.

Expected price for the 370Z Premium will be in the P2.8 million range, with a P100,000 premium for the automatic transmission.

Nissan will also release a version with exclusive Nismo tuning inside and out. The 370Z Nismo will carry performance upgrades to the engine and suspension. Power is increased to 339hp and 371 Nm.

Suspension upgrades includes new springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers. The 370Z Nismo will ride on Yamaha performance dampers produced for Nismo, both front and rear.

The 370Z Nismo will have a different bumper with splitter-type front apron, blacked-out headlamps, Nismo side sill protector, and forged alloy wheels. Inside it will have Nismo exclusive tuning Recaro sport seats and a special instrument cluster with Nismo logo and red dial tachometer.

Price for the 370Z Nismo with 7-speed automatic is expected to carry approximately 30 percent premium from the standard model.