2009 Nissan 370Z Nismo: Through Ian's Lens

At the 2009 New York auto show, I featured the soft-top roadster version of the newly redesigned Nissan 370Z in a Through Ian's Lens post. How could I pass up the chance to show off the same car with a hardtop, whale-tail spoiler, Nismo badge and — above all else — in candy apple red? It's too delicious.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Z.  In those 40 years Nissan (and Datsun) hasn't lost sight that this car is 1) about the driving experience and 2) about how awesome you look experiencing the driving. The newest edition delivers on both points. In spades. Did I mention that our test car was in candy apple red? I'll let my photos do the talking. Check out the full-screen player after the jump.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Starts at $36,970

September isn’t the best time to start selling convertibles. In much of the country, the weather is just starting to turn cold, and that may chill some to the idea of dropping nearly $40,000 on a droptop. Nonetheless, that’s when Nissan will send its new 370Z roadster to dealers nationally, with a starting price of $36,970.

The 370Z roadster is completely redesigned and sports a more powerful engine, which you can read about here. However, the new starting price is just $100 more than the outgoing 350Z roadster.

Full pricing details for the four 370Z models are below.

Deal or No Deal: Cars That Impressed at Road America

Last week, Cars.com’s editors took part in a rally at the Road America racetrack in Elkhart Lake, Wis. There were dozens of new cars on hand to take on the track or local roads. More so than in past years, we were surprised by many new models, and not always in good ways. Here’s what resonated most.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster: Through Ian's Lens

With round hips and flared wheelwells, the new Nissan 370Z Roadster carries on the longstanding design tradition of Z cars. With its sharp front and back light clusters contrasting with the curvy front and rear ends, the lack of a roofline gives this Z a winding-road-on-a-sunny-day feel. I was worried the soft-top would ruin the overall design of this car, but let’s be honest — no one is going to drive this bad boy in the rain or snow. Sun lovers rejoice.

A full set of photos is below; please leave your remarks in the comments section. Feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Video

Kelsey Mays walks us around the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster straight from a busy Manhattan sidewalk. That’s not exactly the ideal place to check out a new convertible sports car. While it’s nice to hear Kelsey make Eddie Murphy jokes in such a setting, you also get to see the top in operation, along with the cargo area’s decent size.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster: Up Close

One of the sexiest cars on display at this year's New York auto show is definitely Nissan's 370Z Roadster, and I got a good look at it last night.

Rest assured car-styling snobs and Z enthusiasts, it’s OK to exhale: The 2010 370Z Roadster does not have a crook in its backside, à la 350Z droptop. The union between roof and trunk is gentler and far less abrupt; the rear still comes across as a bit oversized, but it’s far from the 350Z Roadster’s carrier-deck hindquarters. Credit the beltline: The 370Z rises, straightens out and rises again over the rear fenders. It’s interesting at least and alluring at best, and it helps the convertible look every bit as good as the coupe.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster at 2009 New York Auto Show

• Competes with: Mustang convertible
• Looks like: Nissan built a better-looking convertible than coupe this time around
• Drivetrain: 332-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 with six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: Late summer

The last generation of Nissan’s Z had both a coupe and convertible model, but the droptop always looked like an afterthought. That’s not the case with the new 370Z; the Roadster is simply stunning. While the new coupe has a few odd angles thanks to its shorter length, the roadster looks sleek and stylish. It appears as if the car was meant to be a convertible first, not a coupe.

Of course, the company hasn’t provided a photo of the car with the canvas top in place, which will undoubtedly be not as appealing as the topless images. However, there were some improvements made to the top’s operation that should make buyers happy. It has one-button open and close that takes 20 seconds to complete and automatically latches to the windshield header.

The Z Roadster comes in two models, a base trim and a Touring model. Standard on the base are manual cloth seats, a CD stereo with steering-wheel-mounted controls, and smart key entry and keyless ignition.

The Touring adds cooled and heated leather seats, a six-disc Bose stereo with eight speakers and a subwoofer, satellite radio and Bluetooth. An optional navigation system and Sports Package are also available, but only on the Touring trim level.

Both trims come with the same 332-hp V-6, however, which Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays tested in the coupe in February. “Pulling power is fierce, particularly at higher revs, and there's no sign of letting up through the 7,500-rpm redline,” Mays raved.

Sales of the new coupe have been brisk, which means that, come summer, this may be one highly sought-after convertible.  

More photos below.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster: Early Look

Later today — 5 p.m. EDT, to be exact — we’ll have full details on the all-new 2010 Nissan 370Z roadster. Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays will be on hand at a Nissan event in New York City as well, checking out the car in person.

For now, all we’re able to show you is the single image Nissan has up on a promotional site for the car. In our opinion, it's not the most flattering angle of the roadster. We can’t say much more than that, but check back at happy hour for more looks and info.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Nissan 370Z

Nissan’s 370Z is more aggressive and refined than its predecessor, the 350Z, but how does it drive? The 370Z packs more horsepower and a lighter body for performance nirvana.

Will the 370Z’s track-tuned credentials sacrifice its appeal with weekday warriors? Cars.com’s Kelsey Mays is on the case, comparing this rear-wheel-drive beast with other notables such as the Mazda RX-8, Ford Mustang GT and BMW 128i.

2009 Nissan 370Z Review

Nissan to Unveil 370Z Convertible at New York Auto Show

Nissan announced that it will debut its 2009 370Z convertible at the New York auto show, which begins April 8. A retractable hardtop was considered and disregarded due to space and weight constraints. The 370Z fills a niche for buyers looking for performance at a bargain price, and adding a hardtop would have meant both a lot more weight to carry and a higher price.

The convertible variant of the 370Z will have the same 3.7-liter V-6 as the coupe, and buyers can choose between manual and automatic transmissions. The convertible will come in base and Touring trims.

We’ll let you know what we think of the 370Z convertible’s design when we get an up-close look at it in New York.

2009 Nissan 370Z Convertible to Debut at New York Auto Show (Autoblog)