2010 Nissan 370 Z Touring Coupe By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.Net Recently, it was a gorgeous 370 Z that showed up at my office for a test drive.  It was a very bright blue called Monterrey Blue and definitely stood out on a parking lot.  The Z cars are legendary for their sports car appeal to the public and it is so much fun to get behind the wheel of a Z.  Although we had a little bit of rain, it was a beautiful spring week.  Young men’s hearts turn to love, girls, and sports cars.

      Nissan upgraded the Z coupe for their 2009 model, so there isn’t a lot of change in the couple edition for 2010.  But a new convertible body Roadster has joined the lineup.  Both the coupe and convertible come in either the Base or Touring trim levels.  My test model was the Touring edition which provided a lot more upscale and sporty features.

            When you drive a sports car, you want performance first, followed by style second.  The 370 Z delivers on both counts.  It is powered by a 332 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 engine.  The base model includes a six speed manual shift.  My Touring model had a seven speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.  Looks are nice, but performance is great.  When you start the engine, you hear that deep, throaty growl that accelerates your grip of the wheel.  The Z body is impressive in its ability to hold the road on twists and turns.  Only on rare occasion did I hear a rattle or feel a shake.

            Inside, the 370Z is simply fun to sit and enjoy.  My test model included a lengthy list of standard equipment such as heated seats, suede and leather sport seats, aluminum trimmed pedals, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and even heated outside mirrors.  Maybe it was more important to run the air conditioner than use all the heated seats and mirrors, but it is nice to know they are they when you need them. 

            Options added on included the Sport Package and Navigation system.  The Sport Package included a special Viscous Limited Slip Differential, front and rear spoilers, 19 inch forged alloy wheels, and Nissan sport brakes.  Safety features included six airbags, tire pressure monitoring, active head restraints, electronic stability control, traction control, and electronic Brake-force distribution and brake assist.

             The 370 Z is EPA rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.  When it is springtime and you are behind the wheel of a sports car with paddle shifters, it is very difficult to control your driving dynamics to EPA specifications.  It is more likely the engine will be humming.  My test model had a base MSRP of $36,130.  With all the extras added on, the bottom sticker price was $42,595.

            Overall, the appearance of the 350 Z catches your eye, whether it is the coupe or the convertible.  The lines are similar and include muscular fenders and an aggressive face.  It simply looks good, whatever color the exterior might be.

            The 370 Z is perfect for driving enthusiasts and there is no doubt this is a sports car to enjoy.  Check it out yourself at a Nissan dealership.