Project Nissan 370Z Is Here

We like rear-wheel drive cars, especially sports coupes. Contrary to what you might think, because of Project Civic and the success of Project Evo IX, we prefer our cars to have two drive wheels out back and a healthy engine up front. The Lotus Exige? Amazing. The BMW M3? Great car. The old Nissan 350Z? We liked it. Not quite loved it but liked it.

The 350Z had a great price tag and some decent power but it also had lazy revs, poor cargo capacity, bland looks from 2003-2005 and a distinct lack of agility. The Z33 chassis certainly had speed and grip, it could fit 275 and some 285 tires under its stock fenders but whenever you drove it, you could just feel the weight of the car. It could be plenty fast on the street and the track but where a car like a Miata would dance, the 350Z would lumber.

Enter the new Z34 Nissan 370Z. Our latest long-term project car feels like the true sequel to the 350Z formula. It’s more powerful, more spacious, lighter and generally improved in almost every aspect. It can actually hold photo and video equipment inside. The interior plastics are better, the fit and finish is tighter, the body is sleeker and the technology is higher.

Our 370Z with Sport Package comes packing a 332hp, faster revving V6 engine that lets our car spring from 0-60mph in about 5-seconds flat, forged RAYS Engineering 19-inch wheels, fixed caliper brakes, viscous limited-slip differential and a sprightlier suspension feel. Add to that a slick six-speed transmission and Synchro-Rev Match, which automatically revs the throttle on downshifts for perfect matching. It’s a little strange at first to use if you’re used to rev-matching yourself but it can be turned off.

Our initial plans are to test the latest bolt-on parts emerging for the 370Z and then see what results the new engine and chassis will provide. We’re going to be building a typical street performance 370Z, like you would, and then report back. Should be fun.