Nissan 370Z Roadster

Expert Rating:

What is it?

A rear-wheel drive drop top that's got the firepower to better Porsche's Boxster, BMW's Z4, Audi's TT and the Mercedes-Benz SLK. Nissan's Z cars have always been an enticing, high power, high value proposition, but the 370Z Roadster makes some leaps in ability and quality that make it a very appealing choice indeed.

Is it any good?

Thumbing the big starter button in the Z may no longer result in the sort of near anti-social burble from the exhausts that its 350Z predecessor produced, but the 3.7-litre V6's aural civility shouldn't be mistaken for any loss of potency. Three hundred and twenty six bhp is produced by the Nissan's engine, it driving through a pleasingly mechanical feeling six-speed manual gearbox. There's an auto option, but choose it and you're denying yourself a large part of the Z's appeal.

The V6 provides strong performance throughout its entire spread of revs. Nissan has yet to reveal an official 0-62mph time but it is likely to be very near the coupé's 5.3 seconds. It certainly feels as fast as its closed relative, the 370Z delivering some serious punch. There's some real dynamic ability too, the steering nicely weighted and sharp, the 370Z changing direction quickly with the smallest movement of the chunky steering wheel. The brakes are strong and the ride remarkably settled, only the nastiest bumps revealing any loss in rigidity over its coupé sibling.

A brawny machine that rewards talented drivers with plenty of throttle adjustability, the Z is a real drivers' car. But it's more than that; it's now a classy act inside with Nissan finally giving the Z a quality interior. That more upmarket look and feel is demonstrated by the fully automatic hood, the multi-layered canvas roof showing off the Z's interior in just 20 seconds.

It looks great too, the Roadster's lines arguably more appealing than the coupé's. It'll turn heads with the roof up or down, the squat proportions and busy lines making sure you're noticed. As with all Roadsters there is some trade off for access to the open sky above: the boot is smaller and with the roof up it's not as refined, while the slight weight penalty all the additional stiffening and hood brings does mean a slight drop in performance. Not that you'd notice on the road, the Z Roadster feeling every bit as fast and composed as the coupé.

Should I call the bank manager?

Prices have yet to be confirmed for the 370Z Roadster, but a starting price of £30,000 is likely. On a pound to horsepower ratio there's not much out there that can beat the Z, making it a sensible buy in the roadster market. At least, as sensible as a two-seat, drop-top, rear-wheel drive, 326bhp V6-engined buy can be. Your bank manager might suggest you don't spend your money on a toy, but we'd say ignore them.

Summary

Removing the top off any car results in compromise, but with the 370Z they're few. Feeling every bit as fast and fun as its coupé relative the drop-top Z's pace and ability - along with its new found quality, overt style and competitive pricing - make it a very appealing choice against its more expensive German rivals.

Kyle Fortune