By Mauricio Lezcano / carsNtravel.com
Now in the fourth year of the current generation Z design, the 370Z Roadster combines the legendary high-value performance attributes of the 370Z Coupe with the open air fun of an authentic convertible sports car. The 370Z Roadster’s roof is designed to provide a sleek silhouette, matching the Z Coupe’s stunning styling, while offering an easy, single-action open-close operation. The quiet, all weather cloth top provides an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all climate driver/passenger comfort.
The standard black cloth convertible top features a fabric inner liner, which provides a quality appearance and helps reduce noise intrusion into the cabin, along with a large glass rear window with an integrated electric rear window defroster. The top operation takes approximately 20 seconds and is controlled by a center console-mounted switch. The automatic latch system secures the top to or releases it from the windshield header without driver intervention. The shape and position of the glass wind deflector, located between the fixed headrest bars, has been optimized to reduce turbulence into the cabin.
370Z Roadster exterior features an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk for reduced weight. It includes additional structural reinforcement, including in the A-pillars and side sills. The exterior design incorporates the look and feel of the Z Coupe, including its signature long nose/short cockpit proportions, vertical door handles and distinctive headlight/taillight treatment, which features a fierce boomerang shape along with a new fascia design with integrated LED daytime running lights.
Inside the 2-seat layout includes a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length center console separating the driver and passenger’s seat. The instrument panel retains the traditional Z 3-pod cluster with oil temperature, voltmeter and clock, while the speedometer and tachometer include an initial sweep function, coming alive when the car is first started. The fuel gauge/trip computer finisher has been refined for 2013 with a new dark finish.
The sporty steering wheel is an oval 3-spoke design, which offers baseball-style stitching, improved thumb grips and palm rest areas for improved feel on long drives. The surface of the leather wrapped wheel is shaved to provide a more kidney like shape to better fit in the hand. The manual transmission shifter is specially padded to improve the accuracy of diagonal shifts and to feel softer in the hand for forward and backward motions.
Standard interior comfort and convenience features include Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature and a center console box with a non-intrusive cover design. Other features include automatic climate control, two 12-volt power outlets, three cup holders and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.
Touring model adds a 6CD Bose audio system with eight speakers and MP3/WMA playback, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (Subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and aluminum-trimmed pedals.
The optional Navigation Package includes the touch-screen Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), USB connectivity that is iPod compatible, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, on-board Zagat Survey restaurant ratings database, along with an in-dash DVD player and Rearview Monitor.
Under the hood, the 2013 370Z Roadster once again features one of the most advanced drivetrains available for affordable sports cars today. The long list of cutting edge performance-focused technologies includes a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control and choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match, the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission.
The standard 4-wheel vented disc brake system includes Anti-Lock Braking System with Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist. The optional Sport Package includes Nissan Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers. For 2013, the Sport Brakes now include a red finish caliper color.
2013 Nissan 370Z Roadster’s list of standard safety features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; door-mounted curtain air bags; and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. Other standard equipment includes Active Head Restraints, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Vehicle Security System and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail base price starts at $44,170.00, the one I drove included the sports package, Nissan navigation system and carpeted floor mats it came in at $49,275.00. The EPA fuel economy estimates 17 MPG City and 24 MPG.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
