Nissan: An everyday hooligan

The Nissan 370Z could put the keen driver's licence at risk. Better take it to the track. Photo / Jacqui Madelin

It's not a surprise that Nissan's 370Z is such a hooligan. What is impressive is this much performance, at this price, in a car that's also a reasonable everyday proposition.

Sure, the fat tyres deliver plenty of road noise, which palls on extended highway stretches. And rear three-quarter vision is abysmal; thank goodness for the decent mirrors.

But those are small compromises to pay for a car this outrageous. Not that it felt outrageous at first.

The 3.7-litre V6 engine uses a clever variable valve control similar to BMW's Valvetronic. It's relatively tractable at around-town speeds. Combine that with the seven-speed auto transmission, and tooling around in heavy urban traffic is easy. So is cruising semi-urban roads at sensible speeds, where the suspension compliance proved particularly effective.

But don't panic. Point this car at some high-speed swervery for the closest to automotive nirvana you'll get for $73,200. Forget auto mode; select manual and use those blade-like steering wheel-mounted paddles a finger-tip extension away. Cut her down a cog or three and all hell lets loose.

For this car is lighter than before, with aluminium in bonnet, boot lid and doors; with weight shaved from every possible component. And at 245kW and 363Nm it's got more power and torque.

It's stiffer, too, the rear brace moved forward to improve usability for the shallow boot, and another substantial brace across the packed engine bay.

The fat rear tyres wrapping truly gorgeous 19-inch wheels grip, stick and shove you forward, the traction control light flickering as the roadside blurs.

Fire her into a corner, rubber briefly scrabbling and body fractionally shimmying as you spear for the next bend - engine howling; down a cog, the auto's SynchroRev blipping the throttle and round, then floor it and tap up through the'box as the speedo needle blurs ...

The brakes are fantastic; stronger as you press that pedal harder and with apparently zero fade. The steering's a tad heavy, though I liked the feeling of connection to the rubber that suggested.

In fact your biggest problem in this car will be keeping your licence - sign up for track days is our advice. Perhaps fortunately, the speedo generously under-reads, for it's only too easy for that needle to creep up.

Drive this car as it demands to be driven and you'll get to know your local fuel station quite well. You'll also scatter your shopping far and wide, for there's no luggage net - or tonneau cover.

There is a behind-the-seat space to hold handbags and coats in place. There are a few handy cubbies, and the cabin is better finished than before.

You can appreciate these sensible features as you commute; admire the fact the bonnet pops up if you hit a pedestrian, that the dials are bigger and easier to read. But keen drivers will be busy appreciating this car's virtually unbeatable blend of everyday ability and stonking performance.

Nissan 370Z

We like
Engine's schizo kitty-to-cougar personality; fantastic rear-biased handling and grip; bang for buck, looks

We don't like
Tyre noise and poor rear three-quarter view; no luggage net or tonneau cover

Powertrain
3.7-litre longitudinally-mounted V6, 245kW at 7000rpm, 363Nm at 5200, seven-speed auto drives rear wheels via Limited slip diff

Performance
0-100 not available, 10.4l/100km claimed (14.4 achieved)

Safety
ESP, ABS, six airbags

What it's got
Climate air, heated leather electrically-adjustable seats, Bose sound, keyless entry and start, Bluetooth