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)

First Drive: 2009 Nissan 370Z

By Thom Blackett for Cars.com

For what seems like an eternity, there’s been endless talk about the revived Chevrolet Camaro, the born-again Dodge Challenger and the original pony car, the Ford Mustang. Gas prices are as erratic as your Uncle Lester’s blood pressure, but the domestic manufacturers are still delivering modern-day versions of their automotive icons.

Nissan, for one, doesn’t seem content with sitting idly by. The brand’s Z has long been the import counterpart to Detroit’s mainstream performance vehicles; it promises an invigorating driving experience in an efficient, affordable package. Nearly 40 years after its introduction, the iconic Japanese sports car — now dubbed the 370Z — faces off against its American foes with 332 horses and a focus on quality. 

Models go on sale in January and prices start at $29,930, not including a $695 destination charge. 

2009 Nissan 370Z: Videos

The sequel to the 350Z comes with increased horsepower, serious braking ability and a V-6 engine that's nearly as quick as some cars with two more cylinders. Kelsey Mays sees another viable option in the 370Z for sports car fans, as described in the video above.

In the video below, Mays takes a look at the interior of the 2009 Nissan 370Z and finds a reason not to eat cookies in the car. He also explains the new syncro rev match option. What is the syncro rev match option? To find out, you'll have to watch the video.

No Nissan, Infiniti Models at Detroit, Chicago Auto Shows

Nissan recently announced that it will not attend this year’s Detroit or Chicago auto shows. The news wouldn’t come as a shock if it were just Nissan canning the usual media conferences and presentations, like GM and Chrysler did at the L.A. auto show, especially given Nissan doesn’t have any new products to reveal. However, an Infiniti spokesman confirmed with us that Nissan and Infiniti will be completely missing from the shows’ public days as well; no Nissan or Infiniti products will be on the show floor.

So to those Nissan fans who plan to attend the Chicago and Detroit shows during public days this January and February: You’re out of luck. If you want to see Nissan’s newest offerings, like the 2009 Nissan 370Z sports car, Nissan Cube subcompact and Infiniti G37 convertible, you better head to a dealership. Those cars are expected to go on sale soon enough (370Z by January; Cube and G37 convertible by spring) but the major advantage of car shows is poking around without the pressure of a salesperson in your buffer zone.

Up Close: 2009 Nissan 370Z

If photos of the 370Z make it look like the spitting image of its 350Z predecessor, the similarities are even greater in-person. This Z assumes the same stance, complete with oversized rear fenders and vertical door handles. Aside from the reshaped headlights — Nissan calls them “boomerang” shapes, but hardcore nerds might see a Star Trek symbol — the most noticeable changes are the front and rear bumpers, which seem busier than before. Gone are the old Z’s vertical reflectors on each side of the air dam; the air dam itself, by contrast, has a bit more going on. Ditto for the lower rear bumper.

Inside, quality has improved decisively over the outgoing Z, with stitched wrappings around the A/C and climate controls. Inboard kneepads, a clever feature on the old Z, are still there, as are power seat controls mounted next to the seat cushions themselves. Don’t eat and drive — those crevices will collect crumbs like the Tennessee Titans collect wins.

The seats themselves feel more comfortable than I remember the old Z’s being; alas, the steering wheel still doesn’t telescope, although it carries the gauge pod along with it when you tilt it. Nissan’s short-throw shifter feels as perfect as ever, and we’ll be interested to see how that downshift rev-matching feature works.

More live shots below.

2009 Nissan 370Z Priced at $29,930

Nissan announced today that the redesigned 370Z coupe will start at $29,930. The car comes in base and Touring trims, and spokesman John Schilling said Nissan will announce full pricing for the car in a few weeks. The new price represents a $1,420 increase over the 2008 350Z coupe — the '09 350Z is available only as a convertible — but new standard features include an electronic stability system and steering-wheel audio controls. Both were previously optional.

The 370Z goes on sale in January, with a convertible version to follow.

2008 L.A. Auto Show: 2009 Nissan 370Z

• Competes with: Mazda RX-8, Chevy Camaro
• Looks like: Nissan took a hatchet to the old Z
• Drivetrain: 332-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 with six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic
• Hits dealerships: January 2009

It took Nissan a few years to get the previous-generation Z just right. The company quietly refined the car almost every year after it debuted for 2003, but the 2009 is the first complete redesign. And it’s a doozy.

Besides the new look — sharp headlights, a sharply slanting roofline and a short rear end – the car is also shorter. Both the wheelbase and overall length have been shortened, by 3.9 and 2.7 inches, respectively. This change radically impacts the look of the car.

2009 Nissan 370Z Power Numbers Revealed

We first saw teaser images of Nissan’s successor to the 350Z sports car last month, and now we have some specs and a new image to satisfy your Z needs. The full reveal of the new 370Z takes place Nov. 19 at the L.A. auto show, and the car will be available in early 2009. For now, though, we can tell you that the 3.7-liter V-6 will officially make 332 hp. Along with the additional power, Nissan has shortened the wheelbase, increased the use of lightweight materials and stiffened the chassis.

First Look: 2009 Nissan 370Z

The rumors have proven to be true. Nissan’s redesigned Z will be called the 370Z. Nissan hasn’t released any specs, but we’d assume it will pack the 3.7-liter V-6 found in the G37. In that car the engine produces 330 horsepower. 

What we can talk about are the 370Z’s looks: immediately striking is the higher roofline and a truncated rear. The proportions look a bit odd, but we’ll have to reserve final opinions until we see it at the L.A. Auto Show in a few weeks. The Z goes on sale in early 2009. More photos below.