2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 6M/T

Test Drive

Written by Marco Carvajal

Photographs by Katerina Krjanina

2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 6M/T

2 seats

Engine

3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 aluminum-alloy engine

Rear-wheel Drive

Horsepower (hp)

332

Torque (lb.-ft.)

270

Fuel Economy

(CTY / HWY)

17/24 mpg

Transmission

6-speed manual transmission

Fuel tank (gal.)

Introduction

I am driving and testing the 2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 6M/T, a beautiful convertible sport race car created by Nissan.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., is the Japan’s second-largest car manufacturer. Nissan’s headquarters are located in the city of Yokohama in Japan. Nissan is part of the large group, Renault-Nissan Alliance. This group has more than 247,500 employees around the world. Nissan sells millions of vehicles globally and produces trillions of dollars in revenue annually.

Nissan produces a wide variety of automobiles, with more than 60 models under his 3 brands: Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands.

Nissan efforts to produce zero-emission mobility have been very successful, it leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominating sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. Nisan is the best-seller of electric vehicles, with an approximate 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. Go green Nissan!

Nisan is the best-seller of electric vehicles, with an approximate 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. Go green Nissan!

the 2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 6M/T offers an unmatched balance of dynamic performance, sculptured styling, innovative technology and great value. The 370Z I am testing has a manual transmission and a very powerful and low engine, that makes me feel like I am driving in a race track. The manual transmision that is not so common in the U.S., gives me more control of the engine and speed changes, and it allows to feel how strong is the engine. The manual transmission has 6 speeds to give power and total control to the driver, especially those who love a strong and powerful engine.

The manual transmission has 6 speeds to give power and total control to the driver, especially those who love a strong and powerful engine.

Prices and Versions

The Nissan 370Z Roadster is available in a choice of three versions:

370Z Roadster Touring Sport, the one that I am drive-testing.
370 Roadster Touring
370Z Roadster

Pricing for the new model year 2017 remains the same from the 2016 model. The starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 370Z Roadster starts at $41,820 USD. The model I am driving the 370Z Touring Sport starts at $48,100. If you like to have a strong sport machine, with a beautiful design and a powerful engine, convertible, and pay less than $50,000, then this car is an ideal buy, great value!

Approximate MSRP Price

Model Price

2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 6M/T $48,100

Lease

In February 2017 when I am writing this article, there is a Lease offer for $966 per month during 36 months, with no downpayment. Or $898 per month during 60 months, also wth no downpayment.

$966 / month

36 months

Estimated Amount Financed $48,965

Acquisition Fee $595

Adjusted Capitalized Cost $49,560

Total Due at Lease Signing $966

Performance

This 2017 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring Sport 6M/T is a very powerful and precise sport machine. It is strong, fast, loud, and powerful.

3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 aluminum-alloy engine

The 370Z is powered by a 4th-generation VQ V6 engine. This engine comes equipped with a 3.7-liter displacement for strong power, producing up to 332 horse power. It is a strong an loud engine, very appreciated for those who like racing and sport cars. You can feel the emotion when accelerating and changing speeds. The loud engine is like music for those car lovers who like to impress and show the power of the 370Z. The 370Z dynamo features advanced Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL®) technology that continuously tunes valve lift and timing for quicker response and a greater torque curve, while optimizing fuel efficiency. I am impressed about Nissan’s job on fuel economy, especially with such a sports and powerful engine, to produce a 17/24 city/highway miles per gallon.

Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)

The 370Z Roadster engine features Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) with advanced Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL®) technology that continuously tunes valve lift and timing for quicker response and a broader torque curve.

6-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match®

One interesting and very advance technological feature about the transmission is the SynchroRev Match. This new technology monitors the 6-speed manual’s clutch pedal, shift lever and vehicle speed. As you shift to a lower gear, the system will “blip” the throttle to the ideal engine rpm for a supremely smooth downshift as you let out the clutch. The system also works when upshifting to give you a smooth flow of power when accelerating. It is possible to turn this system off or on with a button mounted next to the shift lever.

Nissan Sport Brakes

Nissan sport brakes, work with balance and precise stopping power.

Exterior

For those who like to enjoy the breeze with fresh air and the sun, or open air at night, the 370Z has a convertible top, designed to provide a sleek silhouette to match the 370Z Coupe’s stylish design, with the convertible top closed or open. The 370Z Roadster features an easy, single-action open and close operation, making the transition from convertible, to close very easy and quick.

19″ RAYS® forged alloy wheels

The 370Z has massive RAYS® forged alloy wheels, 19″ x 9.0″ in the front, and 19″ x 10.0″ in the rear wheels,

HID Headlights

To better illuminate the road ahead, HID xenon headlights provide a brighter, more defined beam pattern than conventional headlights.

LED Daytime Running Lights

Make a visual statement with powerful LED Daytime Running Lights. High-intensity lights enhance the look of your 370Z® and increase vehicle presence when the headlights are off.

LED taillights

The taillights on the 370Z® have 10 LED lights stacked in a pyramid-shape to enhance visibility when driving in lower-visibility situations.

Heated outside mirrors

The driver’s exterior mirror is equipped with self-contained heaters that melt ice, snow and frost, saving you the trouble of scraping it off by hand.

Interior

The 370Z Roadster’s interior is beautiful, stylish with a sport look. It is a 2 passenger car, with enough space considering the type of car you are driving. All the controls are very centered and easy to reach. I like the intuitive design, making it easy to find what you need in the central console, or in the interior in general.

Standard in the 370Z Roadster Touring Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 7.0″ VGA color touch-screen monitor and voice recognition

This advanced system is so easy to operate. By using the touch-screen or hands-free voice activation, you can find practically anywhere with just an address. Buddy up with the available SiriusXM® Travel Link® and get info on weather, fuel price, stock information and even movie listings. The high resolution screen helps you navigate while Lane Guidance indicates the correct lane to be in when approaching an interchange or exit.

SiriusXM® Satellite Radio

For great music and audio, it comes integrated into the audio system of the 370Z®, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio offers more than 120 channels of music, talk, sports and children’s programming all in rich digital sound.

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

A feature I love is that the rearview mirror features a sensor that automatically dims the mirror when it detects headlight glare, reducing eye strain and distraction. This is great when driving on a busy highway at night. With other cars I have to move the mirror when some too strong lights flash in my mirror, but with the 370Z Roadster this comes automatic.

Technology

I love features and all possible extras included as standard equipment. The Standard equipment on the base 370Z Roadster, includes Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, USB input and black-finished 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the 370Z Touring Roadster adds Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch touch-sensitive display, Bose® Audio System, cooling and heated ventilated leather-appointed seats and RearView Monitor. The top-of-the-line 370Z Touring Sport Roadster includes Viscous Limited-Slip Differential, SynchroRev Match® (manual transmission only), 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels and Nissan Sport Brakes.

Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
Navigation System with 7.0-inch touch-sensitive display
Bose® Audio System
Viscous Limited-Slip Differential
Nissan Sport Brakes

Safety

When driving a powerful and fast car like this Nissan Roadster 370Z, safety becomes a very important issue. The following are features included with the 370Z:

Nissan Advanced Air Bag System includes dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant-classification sensor. The inflation rate of these dual-stage air bags adjusts depending on crash severity and seat belt usage.
Driver and passenger side-impact air bags. Standard side-impact supplemental airbags are built into the seats, so they move with you as you adjust your seat. Standard curtain side-impact supplemental air bags help protect you and your passenger.
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). This standard feature—sometimes called stability control—continuously monitors your steering and braking actions, senses any oversteer or understeer, and compensates by reducing engine speed and/or applying brake pressure to specific wheels.
Traction Control System (TCS). All the power in the world is useless if you can’t get any grip. So when the 370Z®’s standard Traction Control System senses a front wheel spin, it responds by helping reduce throttle which helps you both regain grip and maintain control of the road.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors tires for low inflation pressure, which can shorten tire life and reduce the load-carrying capabilities of the vehicle.

Conclusion

Nissan’s Z cars have been enjoyed and admired by several generations of car lovers, especially those who like sporty compact luxury cars. The 2017 370Z Roadster Touring is a beautiful car that everyone can enjoy. It has a very original and beautiful design, comes with a flashy top-down a lot of attention-grabbers, and a loud powerful 332 horsepower engine that makes you feel like in a live race track. The Nissan 370Z Roadster brings speed and style at an affordable price with less than $50,000 and with good fuel economy at 17/24 city/highway MPG.

This sport car comes standard with a lot of technological features, a very nice interior, safety features, and may features that are usually optional add-ons in other cars, like the hard drive navigation system, or leather seats, but here are all included in the base price standard, what makes the 370Z Touring a great buy!.

I think that Nissan keeps impressing car buyers and providing great value without sacrificing quality. A premium car at a value price!