Nissan gives ageing 370Z sportscar a tickle

SEEMINGLY content with remaining one of the oldest models on the Australian market, the 10-year-old Nissan 370Z sportscar has received an MY18 upgrade that will see it through its twilight years.

Confined to minor styling changes and a beefed-up gearbox, the update has not impacted pricing for the 370Z Coupe and Roadster body styles that copped $6140 and $4940 price cuts respectively in August last year.

The manual gearbox-equipped Coupe continues to open the 370Z range from $49,990 before on-road costs, while the three-pedal Roadster still checks in at $60,990. An automatic transmission adds $2500 to the cost of either body style.

Keen-eyed trainspotters will notice the 370Z's new smoked-out Xenon headlights and LED tail-lights, while its exterior doorhandles have also been given the smoky treatment.

Capping off the external changes are newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels and a Cherry Red paint colour option that replaces the superseded Bordeaux hue.

The other seven colours that are available include Brilliant Silver, Diamond Black, Eau Rouge Red, GT Blue, Gun Metallic, Chicane Yellow and Shiro White.

However, the most significant upgrade pertains to Coupes and Roadsters fitted with the six-speed manual gearbox which now features a high-performance Exedy clutch “that makes (the 370Z) more responsive and fun to drive”, according to Nissan.

The aforementioned seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode and paddle shifters carries over unchanged, exclusively sending drive to the rear wheels.

Furthermore, the 370Z's 3.7-litre naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine has also resisted a tweak, meaning it still produces 245kW of power at 7000rpm and 363Nm of torque at 5200rpm.

Elements of this update were previewed by the 370Z Heritage Edition revealed at the New York motor show in April last year, but the limited-edition Coupe variant has not made its way Down Under.

Standard 370Z equipment includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, satellite navigation, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, keyless entry and start, climate control and heated seats.

Safety features extend to the usual electronic traction and stability control systems, anti-lock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, six airbags and a reversing camera.

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test ranges from 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres for the automatic Coupe to 11.2L/100km for the manual Roadster.

While the range-topping 370Z Nismo has been available overseas for several years, Nissan Motor Company Australia (NMCA) finally welcomed the tuned model into local showrooms in September last year.

Priced from $61,490, the Nismo variant packs a more potent 253kW/371Nm atmo V6, a sportier suspension, a stronger braking system and a more aggressive bodykit.

However, the future of the 370Z is still shrouded in mystery after the sportscar made its world debut in October 2008, with overseas reports suggesting the Z-branded model's short-term future is assured – reinforced by this latest update – while its long-term prospects are somewhat murkier.

Sales of the 370Z grew steadily last year, with 363 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a two per cent improvement over 356 vehicles that found homes in 2016.

According to NMCA, the Roadster is relatively unloved as the Coupe accounts for 95 per cent of local sales. Irrespectively, the two-door soft-top returns for another round post-upgrade.

Finishing ninth in last year's sub-$80,000 sportscar segment, the 370Z trailed the Ford Mustang (9165 units), Hyundai Veloster (1935), BMW 2 Series (1750), Toyota 86 (1619), Mazda MX-5 (1459), Subaru BRZ (786), Audi A3 Cabriolet (508) and Abarth 124 Spider (375).

2018 Nissan 370Z pricing*

Coupe	$49,990
Coupe (a)	$52,490
Roadster	$60,990
Roadster (a)	$63,490

*Excludes on-road costs