Now, with a larger 3.7 litre 326 hp V6 engine, a lower road stance, shorter wheelbase and wider track, the 370Z has come of age. And with a searing 0-60 mph time of just 5.3 seconds, it delivers awesome performance. The impression is that everything has gone harder, louder, more in-your-face than the 350. And apparently, that's what potential customers really wanted.
The 370Z offers itself as a true drivers car, with rear-wheel-drive, harder, grippier suspension, rapid raucous power delivery and a slick six-speed manual transmission to get you really involved in the experience. (There is a seven-speed auto option).
The car truly looks the part - lean, potent, powerful, and the driving experience matches, with astonishing acceleration and superbly capable handling. It is not surprisingly a fine, comfortable motorway cruiser yet can be quite docile in city streets, though the ride quality is never less than hard, so you need a strong spine. The sleek crouched exterior profile makes a bold statement and inside, you immediately notice that the cabin has been upgraded and looks better quality. It offers firm sports seats that hold you tight on sharp corners, and the dial layout is easily seen and the essential controls easily reached. The short stubby gearshift is neat and slick to operate and adds significantly to the driving delights of the 370Z.
In the rear of this two-seater there is just about room for your shopping if you live alone and have a small appetite - but it is actually more roomy than the old model, for a bulky brace-bar which split the boot space has now been removed. Top speed of this model is 155 mph and the combined fuel consumption is 26.9 mpg, close to respectable for a car with this capability.
The good news is the price tag - the entry level model is around £28,345 and the mid-range GT version I tried recently comes in at £31,645 and offers, apart from the usual array of gadgets, 19-inch alloys, heated seats, cruise control, and a synchro-rev control which matches the speed of the engine to the gear you are about to select. It's a great package for the money - rival cars with the same spec and performance can cost almost twice as much.
FOR: Great driving sensation, great equipment levels, great looks.
AGAINST: Rear vision almost non-existent, so parking always a problem. And so is getting in - the low roofline and shallow door means you almost always bump you head unless you are the size of Ronnie Corbett.
