Nissan 370Z

Nissan has  finally pulled the wraps from the 370Z Roadster and the race-inspired 370Z Nismo at a top-secret press event the night before the New York Show opened its doors.

Auto Express was there to snap the latest additions to the ‘Z’ car family in the flesh.

Sticking to the same formula as it’s predecessor, the 350Z convertible, the all-new sun seeker shuns a more-expensive and heavier folding hard top in favour of an electric cloth mechanism. And with the roof down, the Roadster looks every bit as good as the Coupe – accentuating the muscular rear haunches that have become a trademark of Nissan’s rear-wheel drive muscle car.

Under the bonnet is the same 332bhp 3.7-litre V6 as its fixed-roof stablemate, hooked up to either a seven-speed automatic, or a six-speed manual gearbox featuring Nissan’s revolutionary SynchroRev Match technology.

But hardcore performance fans have been catered for too, with the even more focused Nismo 370Z. Nissan’s tuning arm has been hard at work creating a more extreme interpretation of the 370Z Coupe, featuring an eye-bulging bodykit and specially tuned drivetrain and suspension setup.

The 3.7-litre engine has been pumped up to 350bhp and remapped for more mid-range grunt, while 19-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels and an even stiffer body, promise to take the driving experience to the limit. The interior features Nismo branded bucket seats, tachometer and steering wheel to finish off the visual assault.

Unfortunately it appears there’s no plans to bring the Nismo to the UK, with sales in the US and Japan only, although a handful of imports should make it to our shores. Both cars go on sale later this year.