2016 Nissan 370Z Roadster Review

The 2016 Nissan 370Z Roadster continues to offer unique design, performance and value of the 370Z Coupe – with the added exhilarating sensory experience of an advanced fully automatic convertible design.

Following last year’s extensive number of enhancements – including the addition of the 370Z Touring Sport Roadster trim level, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System for all models, revised suspension tuning and new 18-inch black-finished aluminum-alloy wheels – the major change for 2016 is the addition of a new Deep Blue Pearl exterior color.

The 2016 370Z Roadster again features a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL) and a choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or close-ratio 6-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match® (370Z Roadster Touring Sport only).

A Stylish, Easy-to-Operate Top

The 370Z Roadster’s standard power automatic latching top was designed with an emphasis on providing a sleek silhouette with the top up or down. With its easy single-action open-close operation, it provides an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.

In the closed position, the top design imparts a sophisticated sloped-back appearance, the perfect balance between the soft top and the Z® body design. The shortened windshield and aerodynamically rounded rear deck enhance the Z®’s kinetic and dynamic character lines. When in the down position, the convertible top is concealed beneath a full body-color hard tonneau cover, which extends forward to help create the Z® Roadster’s classic “double cockpit” style interior.

The standard black (a Bordeaux color top is available with the Wine colored interior) cloth convertible top features a fabric inner liner, which provides a quality appearance and helps reduce noise intrusion into the cabin, along with a large glass rear window with an integrated electric rear window defroster. The top operation takes approximately 20 seconds and is controlled by either a center console-mounted switch or by a button located on the doors (top lowering only). The automatic latch system secures the top to – or releases it from – the windshield header without driver intervention.

The shape and position of the glass wind deflector, located between the fixed headrest bars, has been optimized to reduce turbulence into the cabin.

Along with careful attention to convertible top operation and design, the 370Z Roadster’s exterior features an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk for reduced weight. The body includes additional structural reinforcement (over the 370Z Coupe), including in the A-pillars and side sills.

The Z® Roadster’s exterior design incorporates the signature Z® long nose/short cockpit proportions. The distinctive headlight/taillight treatment features an aggressive “boomerang” shape. The headlights are a High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon design with auto on/off feature and integrated LED daytime running lights.

Eight exterior colors are offered for 2016 –Magma Red, Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Black Cherry, Pearl White and new Deep Blue Pearl (replaces Midnight Blue).

A Full-Feature Interior

Inside the stunning 370Z Roadster exterior, is an interior that is completely driver-centric, with its three-layer design grouping items by how a driver sees information, operates the controls and is held in place – so drivers feel completely connected and engaged whenever and wherever they drive, top up or down.

The base 370Z Roadster features high back black woven “Carbon” cloth seats with 8-way manual driver’s/4-way manual passenger’s seat adjustments. The Touring and Touring Sport models include unique leather-appointed seats with 4-way power/4-way manual operation on the driver’s seat (4-way power on the passenger’s seat). The seats also have integrated heating and cooling functions – ideal for open air driving no matter what the outside temperature.

The Z® Roadster’s 2-seat layout includes a deeply scooped instrument panel with a full-length center console separating the driver and passenger’s seat. The instrument panel retains the traditional Z® 3-pod cluster with oil temperature, voltmeter and clock, while the speedometer and tachometer include an “initial sweep” function, coming alive when the car is first started.

The steering wheel is an “oval” 3-spoke design, which offers baseball-style stitching and large thumb grips/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 specially padded to improve the accuracy of diagonal shifts and to feel softer in the hand for forward and backward motions.

Standard interior comfort and convenience features include Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature, power door locks with auto-lock feature and a center console box with a non-intrusive cover design. Other features include automatic climate control, two 12-volt power outlets, three cupholders (two in door panels, one in center console) and an AM/FM/CD/AUX 4-speaker audio system with illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Touring and Touring Sport models add a Bose® audio system with eight speakers (includes dual subwoofers) and MP3/WMA playback, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, aluminum-trimmed pedals, synthetic suede door panel inserts, auto-dimming inside mirror and glove box damper.

The 2016 Nissan 370Z Roadster interior is available in Black cloth, while Touring and Touring Sport models are available in a choice of Gray, Black or Wine (available exclusively with Pearl White and Black Cherry exterior colors) leather-appointed cooling and heated ventilated seats.

Open Air, Open Roads – An Unbeatable Combination

The 370Z Roadster once again features one of the most advanced drivetrains available for affordable sports cars today. The long list of cutting edge performance-focused technologies includes a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The VVEL system 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 6-speed manual’s SynchroRev Match® system, which is standard with the Touring Sport grade, allows drivers of any skill level to experience professional-like gearshift performance. The SynchroRev Match® function automatically controls and adjusts engine speed when shifting to the speed of the next gear position, essentially “blipping” the throttle to smooth out 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 available 7-speed automatic includes Downshift Rev Matching (DRM) and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and is designed to offer quick, manual-like shifting when operated in manual mode. Drivers can use the standard paddle shifters or the shift lever. 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.

Estimated fuel economy for the 2016 370Z Roadster is 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the 7-speed automatic and 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway for the 6-speed manual transmission.

The 370Z Roadster also utilizes the Z® Coupe’s advanced 4-wheel independent suspension. The double-wishbone front suspension uses lightweight forged aluminum arms and a lightweight rigid aluminum-alloy cradle, along with a hollow construction stabilizer bar. The 4-link rear suspension integrates the rear cradle into a single part. “High response” shock absorbers are utilized on each corner for enhanced ride comfort.

The suspension was revised last year to better meet the needs of sport and daily driving. Enhancements included better steering feel through use of revised steering column bushings and steering software, as well as better noise isolation through use of a revised front engine mount design and improved body insulation.

The standard 370Z Roadster wheel and tire package features 18×8.0-inch front/18×9.0-inch black-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with 225/50R18 front/245/45R18 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A summer tires. Unique 19-inch RAYS forged lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A 245/40R19 front/275/35R19 rear tires are standard with the Touring Sport model.

The Z®’s standard 4-wheel vented disc brake system includes Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. The Touring Sport 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 red-finish calipers.

Steering is provided by a vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion design. Unwanted steering kickback and vibrations are reduced with the use of a solenoid valve that acts like a damper when there is a harsh impact load. A Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is standard and the Touring Sport model includes a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD).

The Nissan 370Z Roadster’s list of standard safety 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; door-mounted curtain air bags; and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. Other standard equipment includes 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).

Choice of Models

Along with the long list of standard equipment on the base 370Z Roadster, including Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, USB input and black-finished 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, the 370Z Touring Roadster adds Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch touch-sensitive display, Bose® Audio System, cooling and heated ventilated leather-appointed seats and RearView Monitor.

The top-of-the-line 370Z Touring Sport Roadster includes Viscous Limited-Slip Differential, SynchroRev Match® (manual transmission only), 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels and Nissan Sport Brakes.

In addition to the open-air 370Z Roadster, the icon Nissan Z® is also available in four hardtop 370Z Coupe models, plus for buyers seeking the ultimate in factory tuned Z® performance and style, the motorsports-inspired Nissan 370Z NISMO.

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