Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
As factory track models go, the 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z is not the most hard-core beast ever built on a production line. Then again, it's no sticker-and-stripe-job either. Underneath the aggressive new bodywork is a substantially revised suspension and a slightly more powerful version of Nissan's latest 3.7-liter V6.
So how does it all work, you say? Well we wanted to find out too, so we took the new Nismo out to our test facility to run some numbers. Then we compared the results to our long-term 2009 370Z Touring.
It was a moderate day in terms of temperature for both tests, but both of the 370s had auxiliary engine oil coolers so all the track work wasn't much of a problem. Once the results started to come in, however, the Nismo continually failed to deliver any better numbers than our standard car. Whether it was braking (worse), acceleration (same) or handling (same, but scarier), the Nismo never came out ahead. Actually, it did beat the standard 370Z in one category -- full-throttle decibel level. See the full results and explanations after the jump.
Vehicle: 2009 Nissan Nismo 370Z
Odometer: 1,027
Date: 06/16/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $39,340
Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,696cc (226 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 350 @ 7,400
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 276 @ 5,200
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double-wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 245/40R19
Tire Size (rear): 285/35R19
Tire Brand: Yokohama
Tire Model: Advan Sport
Tire Type: Summer performance
Wheel Size: 19-by-9.5-inches front; 19-by-10.5-inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,356
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.1
0 - 45 (sec): 3.6
0 - 60 (sec): 5.3
0 - 75 (sec): 7.7
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.6 @ 103.2
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 5.1
30 - 0 (ft): 28
60 - 0 (ft): 115
Braking Rating: Poor
Slalom (mph): 70.4
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.91
Handling Rating: Very Good
Db @ Idle: 47.1
Db @ Full Throttle: 84.8
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 72.9
Acceleration Comments: More than enough power to blow off its tires at launch. Best launch from about 4,800 rpm with some wheelspin. Gnarly rubber going into 2nd. Can't try too hard, however, or you'll miss entirely. It hates fast shifts.
Braking Comments: Clearly, pad bedding is important on the Z and this car doesn't appear to have had this done properly. Standard Z stopped shorter; this car feels like it has wooden pads. There's no fade, but also no effectiveness. Wildly inconsistent pedal feel, too.
Handling Comments: (Slalom) Added stiffness makes Nismo harder to handle in our slalom which isn't very smooth. I'm confident this car is quicker on a racetrack, but the sharp bump at cone 3 makes it a challenge here. Same speed as the normal car, but a lot more work to get there. (Skid pad) Communication is good, but overall this doesn't seem like a great street setup, and grip is inexplicably less than the standard Z.
Vehicle: 2009 Nissan 370Z
Odometer: 1,971
Date: 03/03/09
Driver: Josh Jacquot
Price: $40,320
Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: 6-speed manual
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3,969cc (226 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 332 @ 7,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 270 @ 5,200
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Double-wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): Multilink
Tire Size (front): 245/40R19
Tire Size (rear): 275/35R19
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE050A
Tire Type: Summer performance
Wheel Size: 19-by-9.0-inches front; 19-by-10-inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,374
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.0
0 - 45 (sec): 3.5
0 - 60 (sec): 5.2
0 - 75 (sec): 7.6
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 13.5 @ 103.7
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 4.9
30 - 0 (ft): 26
60 - 0 (ft): 108
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 72.0
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.94
Handling Rating: Very good
Db @ Idle: 49.2
Db @ Full Throttle: 82.7
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 70.3
Acceleration Comments: More revs are required here to get a sub 5.5-second 60-mph time, but I essentially use the same technique. The Z doesn't seem to like a lot of wheelspin -- it only gets slower. So getting the clutch out quickly and using WOT early is the key. This engine doesn't inspire at high rpm, but it does make power and lends itself to hard driving.
Braking Comments: Very good distance and pedal feel. We're not anywhere near approaching the thermal limits of these brakes in the succession of stops completed for this test.
Handling Comments: The more time I spend in the Z, the more comfortable I become. As of now, I've yet to drive it on the street -- only track testing. This is a communicative, direct-responding, focused sports car and it shows when it's asked to turn. Fun and fast. Around the skid pad there's immense grip, which seems to increase in direct proportion to how hard it's pushed. The rear doesn't want to step out and won't until something drastic (like instantly snapping off the throttle) is done. Even then, it's asking the driver if he really, really wants to do this. But it will play tail out it you want. And it's fun.
How We Test: Behind the Numbers With the Inside Line Test Team
kyolml says:
09:31 PM, 06/16/09
All these make it less grip? How come u r confident that Nismo is faster on the track with less grip?
zigzagz94 says:
09:58 PM, 06/16/09
Leaving off an oil cooler on your TRACK model is unforgiveable.
Every test of the 370Z has noted the unusually high oil temps during spirited driving (or in some cases stop in go traffic on hot days). You can't even buy an oil cooler as an option from a Nissan dealer and if you add an aftermarket one nissan will void your warranty. My dealer doesn't even know when the nismo cooler will be available.
An oil cooler should have been standard as part of the sport package, or at least an option but it isn't, and that is one of the things stopping me from purchasing one of these cars. There is a thread over at the370z.com reporting on the numerous instances of people encountering high oil temps during normal street driving. Granted they haven't gotten to the point where limp mode had to intervene (track and autox excluded- if you do these you're f'ed after 5 mins w/o an oil cooler) but that's still unacceptable. It's a $250-500 part--stop being cheap Nissan. It's a sports car for Christs sake, I would like to drive it like one without having to keep my revs under 3500 rpms just because it's a hot summer day and I'm going uphill.
carfreak8394 says:
10:00 PM, 06/16/09
Um.. so, what's the point of the Nismo package, again?
zigzagz94 says:
10:15 PM, 06/16/09
http://blogs.edmunds.com/roadtests/2009/04/2009-nissan-370z-touring-oil-cooler-install-and-first-service.html
"The unit we got was recommended by Nissan as it was designed for the 370Z by Nissan Motorsports. This is not the upcoming NISMO unit, nor will you be able to buy one or have it installed from your local Nissan dealership. The cost of the kit you see here is $780.
Installation was handled by Nissan of Santa Monica working closely with Nissan's North American operations and took about 4-hours at a labor rate of $115/hr. That's $460 for labor and $780 in parts. Total cost for oil cooler and install: $1,240."
Even Edmunds admits that they had to buy an aftermarket oil cooler as it's not an option from Nissan. They are lucky to have a local dealership willing to work with them by installing the unit and covering any repairs under warranty. In my neck of the woods all of the Nissan dealers have told me they absolutely would not do this. Completely unacceptible Nissan. I have money and want to buy this car but won't until you fix this oversite. Unfortunately this will probably be like the 350z tire feathering issue and wont get fixed for another 2 years.
cwmoo740 says:
10:21 PM, 06/16/09
I'm pretty sure they said that you can have a factory oil cooler installed by the dealer. And a differential oil cooler. Although it is kind of amazing that Nissan declined to leave these off of the 370Z, one of the purest "sports" cars. By the way, zigzag, you might want to read the straightline article about this before talking too much more.
zigzagz94 says:
10:27 PM, 06/16/09
Cwmoo740 are you high or is reading comprehension too hard for you.
The article I linked to right above your retarded post clearly states that edmunds had to install an aftermarket oil cooler because one is not available from the dealer even as an option. Unlike you I have been to the dealer and talked with them numerous times about this issue. And yes if an "average joe", not an internationally known automotive website, tries to install an aftermarket oil cooler the dealership will void your warranty.
huyracing says:
11:01 PM, 06/16/09
it looks better i think and that is the majority of the mods...
rsholland says:
05:04 AM, 06/17/09
The Rev-Match feature on the 6-speed manual is ONLY available on the sportiest models. I was hoping it would be standard on all manual 370Zs.
qualitycontrol says:
06:18 AM, 06/17/09
The only logical explanation I can think of is that the Nismo hasn't been properly broke in yet; barely 1,000 on the clock. It's possible that since the car is so new, they're not going to get the bet numbers it's capable of. I noticed that with alot of nissans (infinitis) and bmws, they actually get better as time goes on. Maybe the results would've been different with a well broken in example. And yes, the absence of an oil cooler on a machine that caliber is pretty inexplicable. Come on Nissan
iskch says:
08:32 AM, 06/17/09
Humm... Nissan took a page from BMW. Remember 335i?
stovt001 says:
11:04 AM, 06/17/09
+1 to qualitycontrol. I bet miles have something to do with it.
beermagazine says:
05:34 PM, 06/17/09
So I want to clarify, these cars were NOT tested on the same day? Data is worthless.
carswapper says:
10:48 AM, 06/18/09
I agree with beermagazine..2 different days? There have to be too many varible in heat and humidity and road conditions. Data is flawed as a result.
yellowmiata says:
11:06 AM, 06/18/09
Were these tested on different days? I read the dates as 6/16/09 for the Nismo and 6/16/09 for the 370. Am I missing something for the testing days? If so, I completely agree that the data is useless. If not, I don't see a reason to get the Nismo except for cosmetics (which I'm not into).
I completely agree with the previous posts - Nissan made a mistake and I won't be upgrading to the next Z until the oil cooler problem is fixed.
Finally, as for all the name calling - are we adults here? I hope so.
Cheers,
Kevin
carswapper says:
07:51 AM, 06/19/09
"It was a moderate day in terms of temperature for both tests" Indicates different days.
mmichael says:
11:40 PM, 06/19/09
I love the looks of the Nismo 370Z.
That additional 7 inches of length, the rear wing and general tweaks, makes the Nismo look so much better!!!
M Michael
http://easyclicks.wordpress.com
charlesb says:
11:46 AM, 06/20/09
For the ninety-plus percent of future NISMO 370Z owners that were buying it for the unique look the fact that it is a "POSER package" won't make a dimes worth of difference to them.
I serioiusly doubt most track disposed Z owners would go NISMO to begin with. A base manual would likely be the ticket there.
boost_tt says:
07:58 PM, 07/12/09
We really need a test between the NISMO 350Z and the NISMO 370z. Per these results the older NISMO actually did better than the newer one. I drove a newer NISMO and it did not feel near as good as my NISMO 350z.
boost_tt says:
07:59 PM, 07/12/09
The 350Z NISMO is far from a poser package as it really does shine on the track. This 370z is missing items the 350z did on it's package that helped it. Seam Welds. Big advantage. The car does really well on the track, better than a few Porsche's I know. :)