2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe Continues to Offer Unique Combination of Performance, Value and Exhilaration
10/07/2011
Nissan
For 2012, the iconic Nissan 370Z Coupe remains one of the most vibrant and dynamic sports cars available in North America, as well as one of the best performance values. The 370Z Coupe is again available in three models, 370Z Coupe and 370Z Coupe Touring and the NISMO 370Z, which features unique performance and design attributes (please see NissanNews.com for complete NISMO 370Z information). The 370Z Coupe and 370Z Coupe Touring are each available with a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine and choice of 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission. An oil cooler has been added for the 2012 model year as standard equipment.
A Sculptural Yet Functional Exterior Design
The 370Z Coupe's dynamic styling offers dual benefits - an aggressive appearance and a light, highly rigid structure for enhanced performance. The taut exterior design incorporates intentional 240Z styling cues, a sleek aerodynamic shape, a "dynamic motion" feel with a dramatic cantilevered roof and a "low visual gravity."
The 370Z Coupe's FM platform provides a refined foundation for the well-proportioned body, with a 100.4-inch wheelbase, 167.2-inch overall length, 72.6-inch width and 51.8-inch height, giving it a classic sports car look and feel. The body features aluminum door panels, along with an all-aluminum hood and an aluminum hatch. A front suspension cradle is designed to help reduce front body lateral bending (versus the previous generation design), while rear structural reinforcements and an underbody "V-bar" help reduce rear lateral bending. The design also uses a carbon fiber composite radiator housing and strengthened rear fender and hatch areas.
The sleek silhouette is defined by its upswept quarter window design that is echoed by the dynamic upward curvature in the lower rocker panel and the sense of the taut sheet metal molding itself around the wheels and frame. Another distinctive feature of the bold exterior design is the headlight/taillight treatment, which features a fierce "boomerang" shape. High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with auto on/off feature are standard. The intense broad-shouldered rear shape is highlighted by the integration of the boomerang taillights and wide, flared rear fenders. Attention to detail and functionality is evident throughout the exterior design, including a flashing (repeater lamp) side marker lamp/emblem.
The coefficient of drag is 0.30 (0.29 with the Sport Package). The 370Z also provides zero front lift and zero rear lift when equipped with the rear spoiler, thanks to extensive aerodynamics efforts - including an "inverse area" front bumper design which smoothes the flow of air to the sides of the vehicle, while the rear design maximizes the control of air flow from the roof to the rear hatch.
Performance body pieces are available as part of the optional Sport Package, including a front chin spoiler and rear spoiler. The 2012 370Z is offered in seven exterior colors: Pearl White, Monterey Blue, Brilliant Silver, Magnetic Black, Solid Red, Gun Metallic and Black Cherry.
A Cockpit Equipped To Make Car and Driver Feel Like One
The interior of the 370Z Coupe continues the longstanding Z(R) tradition of enhancing driving pleasure. The traditional 2-seat layout is built around a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length center console separating the driver and passenger's seat. In the rear is an open cargo area with ample storage and accessibility. The design focus incorporates a "layer concept," with an information layer, an operation layer and a holding layer.
The information layer provides good visibility with easy access to all key data. The gauges are attached to the steering column, so the driver doesn't have to choose between their preferred steering wheel position and visibility of the gauges. The large upper steering wheel opening in front of the gauges is designed to provide a good view of the readouts.
The instrument panel retains the traditional 3-pod cluster with oil temperature, voltmeter and clock, while the speedometer and tachometer include an "initial sweep" function, coming alive when the Z(R) is first started.
The operation layer includes the steering wheel, shifter and switchgear. The steering wheel is an "oval" 3-spoke design, which offers baseball-style stitching and large 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 padded in different areas to improve the accuracy of diagonal shifts and to feel softer in the hand for forward and backward motions.
The holding layer includes the seats, knee pads and door trim support. The driver's seat is uniquely different from the passenger's seat, with lower seat cushion cut-outs on the sides where the thighs rest - allowing the driver to push on the pedals without the seat fighting them. The seat frame is constructed to help hold the driver in place during cornering. Both the driver and passenger's seats are structured with an anti-slip material in the main seating surface. The sporty woven cloth seats feature standard 8-way driver's/4-way passenger manual adjustments, with heated 4-way power-adjustable leather-appointed seats standard with the 370Z Touring model. Adjustable front seat Active Head Restraints are also standard. The door armrests have been designed to provide extra support when cornering and the kneepads are integrated to help the driver maintain the proper position while cornering.
The interior features standard Black cloth. Nissan 370Z Touring models include a choice of Gray, Black or Persimmon leather-appointed and synthetic suede seating. Standard interior comfort and convenience features include Nissan Intelligent Key(R) with Push Button Start, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature, a center console box with a non-intrusive cover design, automatic climate control, rear window defroster with timer, two 12-volt power outlets, three cupholders, dual overhead map lights and a AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.
The 370Z Touring model adds standard 4-way power adjustable heated leather-appointed and synthetic suede sport seats with adjustable lumbar support, 6CD Bose(R) audio system with eight speakers (includes dual subwoofer) and MP3/WMA playback, XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver, auto-dimming mirror, aluminum-trimmed pedals and retractable cargo cover.
Also available is the Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with 7-inch VGA touch-sensitive display, USB connectivity and iPod? connection, XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information and XM NavWeather(TM) (XM subscription required, sold separately), automatic phonebook download (select phones), Bluetooth? Streaming Audio and RearView Monitor.
The Pure Performance of a 332-horsepower V6
All 2012 370Z Coupes utilize the fourth generation of Nissan's award-winning VQ-series V6. The 3.7-liter VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) is rated at 332 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm and 270 lb-ft of torque @ 5,200 rpm. Key to the outstanding performance is the VVEL system, which is able to optimize intake valve open/close movements, allowing the needed air to be sent promptly to the combustion chamber at the precisely optimized time. Since the VVEL system can adjust to open the valves slightly, it improves fuel efficiency by reducing camshaft friction and fuel waste. It also provides cleaner emissions by allowing for quicker warm-up of the catalyst and by stabilizing combustion when the engine is cool.
The engine is backed by a choice of two advanced transmissions, both designed to improve driver performance. The close-ratio 6-speed manual includes an available synchronized downshift rev matching system, which allows drivers of any skill level to experience professional-like gear shift performance. The SynchroRev Match(R) function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the exact speed of the next gear position, essentially "blipping" the throttle to smooth out any up/down shifts. This not only allows the driver to focus more on braking and steering, it improves the smoothness of gear shifts by reducing the typical "shock" when the clutch is engaged. The system can be deactivated with a button next to the shifter for drivers who prefer to shift on their own. The SynchroRev Match(R) system is offered as part of the optional Sport Package.
The 370Z's 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode with a target time of 0.5 seconds between shifts. Drivers can also use the standard paddle shifters or the shift lever. With optimized torque converter lock-up logic, the 7-speed automatic feels very direct, like a manual transmission. The 7-speed's wide gear ratios offer improved fuel efficiency (versus a 5-speed automatic), while the Adaptive Shift Control is designed to adjust to the driver's driving style.
Fuel economy is rated at 19 mpg City/26 mpg Highway for the 7-speed automatic and 18 mpg City/ 26 mpg Highway for the 6-speed manual transmission.
The Z(R)'s suspension has been designed to offer reduced weight, improved strength and improved camber change and lateral displacement (versus the previous 350Z suspension). The double-wishbone front suspension uses lightweight forged aluminum arms, a lightweight rigid aluminum-alloy cradle, and hollow construction stabilizer bar. The independent multi-link rear suspension is also stiffer and lighter than the previous generation design, with the rear cradle entirely integrated into a single part (no welding). "High response" shock absorbers are utilized on each corner, with ride comfort enhanced through reduced shock friction.
The standard 370Z wheel and tire package features 18x8.0-inch front/18x9.0-inch 5-spoke lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with P225/50R18 front/P245/45R18 rear Yokohama ADVAN Sport high performance summer tires. Also available, as part of the optional Sport Package, are 19-inch RAYS forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A P245/40R19 front/P275/35R19 tires.
The Z(R)'s standard 4-wheel vented disc brake system includes Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The optional Sport Package includes Nissan Sport Brakes with large diameter 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors (versus 12.6-inch front/ rear standard rotors) with 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers.
Steering is provided by a vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion design that provides improved response. Unwanted steering kickback and vibrations are reduced through use of a solenoid valve that acts like a damper when there is a harsh impact load. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is standard.
The Nissan 370Z's long list of standard safety and security features includes the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor; front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags; roof-mounted side-impact air bags; seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, Active Head Restraints, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Vehicle Security System and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Two Models, Two Options
The 2012 Nissan 370Z Coupe model line-up consists of two models - 370Z and the 370Z Touring and two available packages, along with NISMO 370Z.
In addition to the long list of standard features of the 370Z, the 370Z Touring offers heated leather-appointed and synthetic suede 4-way power seats, adjustable lumbar support, HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver, Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, 8-speaker Bose(R) audio system (including 2 subwoofers), XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately), auto-dimming inside mirror, cargo cover and aluminum-trimmed pedals.
Just two options are offered. The Sport Package features 19-inch RAYS forged wheels, Bridgestone Potenza tires, aerodynamic front and rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, SynchroRev Match(R) (6-speed manual transmission only) and Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD). The Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System Package includes the navigation system and RearView Monitor.