2009 Nissan 370Z Private Preview

I like it quite a bit. The restyle brings in cues from the original 240Z, particularly in the side windows and roof/hatch line. I was never much of a Z fan, but this one has my attention.

Must be you.

Although I've yet to see it in person, it's very photogenic. I'm looking for a sports car and this just may be the ticket. Nissan got rid of the elongated look of the previous version. Bulging wheel wells and a more luxurious interior don't hurt either. Bring it on.

A "failed redesign?" Not in my book. I think it's gorgeous.

The headlights will take some adjusting, but I love the overall design. Very appealing. I wish I were in the market for a sports car.

I like the exterior styling. To those of you that dont like it give it a while to grow on you. I hated the rear quarter window at first but its growing on me.

Now id like to publicly make some predictions based way to much time researching cars:

In your preview of the 370z, in one of the pictures, you so nonchalantly asked the question of what do the buttons near the shifter do. Either you know and cant tell us or you truly dont know. I however am 80% sure that at least one of those buttons is to turn on and off automatic rev matching for the MANUAL transmission.

Secondly, has anyone noticed that on the g37 convertible articles they always say "at least 320 horsepower." Either there is a simple solution that differnet exhaust routing could lead to slightly less than 330 horsepower in the coupe or.... They may have realized that twin turbos are the way to go and come out with a smaller engine with similar (but slightly better) performance than BMW's 335i. This would also work to silence complaints about the VQ engines appetite for gas.

just my 2 cents...What do you guys think?

Interesting.. Is it me or is the Z's silhouette starting to look more and more like a P car?
Almost like a fat 911! Does Porsche still hold copyrights on it's ancient yet timeless design?
Perhaps they've expired?

Joseph
San Diego

Looks good. Looks fast. Looks modern.

Most important, looks Nissan.

http://msp240.photobucket.com/albums/ff39/ajaroslav/240z.jpg

Very cool, Edmunds. I wish I lived in SoCal and could take part. So when are you opening a Toronto office?

I really like it. To me, this one contains a fair bit of 240Z retro: The straight-sloping rear, the long hood, short wheelbase and aft-positioned cab, and the rear quater windows. I can't wait to see it in the metal.

Do an event like this on the East Coast, please!

Will reserve final judgement after seen in person. Initial impressions: Recognizable as japanese vehicle, Concerns about overall proportions including front overhang

Looks like a Japanese BMW Z4.
Since I am not a fan of the Z4, this redesign does not look good to me.
I really like the proportions of the current Z. The long nose, short deck of the redesign doesn't do it for me.
Sorry Nissan.

Truly ghastly. Nissan has outsone themselves.

"Failed re-design"? Look at his screen name, e46 and what does that tell you...

I looks gorgeous.

I like it. I can understand why fans of the current 350 might be taken aback at first. It is a bit bold especially with the zigzag motifs in the lights.

I do see the P car profile, and that was a bit of a turn off at first as well.

But overall, its a well executed, interesting design. Among the Japanese makes, Nissan's design is way above Toyota and Honda trailing only Mazda.

Reduce the weight and you have a winner.

JMAROUN: YES! that's the first thing I thought when I saw it: a Porsche 911. Beyond that: I'm not sure Nissan knew how to wrap up this design. I don't doubt it will be a great, affortable sportscar, but Nissan continues to finish strong in overall design.

This Nissan does not look like a Porsche 911, and here's why.

#1 No lights in the bumper and the headlights are not round.

#2 The hood is much longer and is already arching downwards at the windshield. On a 911, the hood is almost straight and peaks at the windshield.

#3 The Nissan has a vestigal side window. The 911's side window is much bigger and functional.

#4 The window line down the side of the car arches downward. The same line on a 911 sweeps up.

#5 The 911 does not have a bubble-type roof line.

I don't think I have to mention the fact that the 911 is rear engined, has a deployable wing, and has a back seat.

Other than all those things, yes it has four wheels and two doors and a tear-drop-like overall shape. So it does look like a 911.

If your wearing George Burns' glasses.

And taking medicinal herbs.

I love this new re-designed 2009 370Z. It reminds me of the old Z in more ways than one. Definitely not a failed redesign. However, there is one aspect about the 370Z that I'm going to have to get use to and that's the headlights...

Just my two cents!

The boomerang lights and the silly door handles ruin it for me. Fail.

It's not bad looking, but there are things that bother me too much to actually buy one. First, the head and tail lights. Kinda silly. Then, the door handles, which are the worst thing about the current version too, are just REALLY silly looking. I can't drop 40k on a car and be greeted by such a poor design every time I walk up to it, no matter how well it might perform. I'd rather have a G37 I guess.

What a fantastic looking product! Like the GT-R event I think this will be just as popular.

I'm getting the vibe from alitmadude's post that the 911 is far better engineered. Despite the engine being in the wrong place, it has a back seat, and it has a functional side window!

I think its one of those cars that doesn't look that great until you get used to it. Well I'll find out on Saturday.

Autoblog states the that the new Z has 332 hp. Wow. That's pretty sweet.

I also heard rumors that this event will have a taco truck serving food for all guests? Is that true?

Thought I like the overall shaped of the cars, cartester has a good point about the boomerang lamps, and I've always hated vertical door pulls.

O Hell Yes! I wish I had my 1973 240Z to together as I would have driven it down to the event. I hated the 350Z as it had no soul. The 370Z has a fun wickedness about it. I may have to buy one! So what if I ran out of garage space two cars ago…

Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a better deal

Genesis Coupe? I'll still pay a premium for the Z.

Just saw one of these in person. Pics do NOT do it justice. Wait to judge before you see it in the metal. (saturday!)
-mike

Boxermike is right; I certainly wouldn't say the car isn't photogenic, but it IS pretty damn impressive in person.

I agree with e46fanatics! I'm not impressed by the exterior styling of this car!

I stopped by. The 370Z is ok. It's too much like the old one. They just chopped off a few inches at the rear so it looks like the bubble is set further back. Still has the stupid looking door handles.

The interior materials were improved, but with no nav there is still a big hole in the prime real estate at the top of the center stack. The non-leather seats are covered with really cheap nylon. It's a gross feeling material and it's in the doors as well.

We went to the event, the car is really cool here is a video of the event:
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Nissan-370Z-Reveal-before_199444.htm

And we've got the video too...AND a full gallery of pics:

http://jalopnik.com/5089010/2009-nissan-370z-unveiled-live-at-secret-la-event