What’s the Difference Between a 370Z and a Z?
That’s not to say the new Z is identical to the 370Z under the skin, but it’s not all that different, either. Nissan would later admit it updated the cars’ FM platform (which dates back to the 350Z) with new reinforcements around the upper engine bay area, in the roof, around the taillights, and between the rear wheels. This increased both body rigidity and torsional rigidity (bending), which should help the car handle better. (Chassis flexing makes the suspension less effective when cornering.)
Structural work done, the engineers went about fitting a modern engine. Out went the old 3.7-liter V-6, replaced by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 borrowed from the Infiniti Q50/Q60 Red Sport 400. New exhaust plumbing was needed to fit the Z chassis, and a boost recirculation valve was added to the turbochargers to keep them spinning when the throttle closed, but output remained at 400 hp and 350 lb-ft. It was still a substantial improvement over the 370Z’s 350 hp and 276 lb-ft.
Behind the engine, Nissan carried over the same six-speed manual transmission, albeit with upgraded synchronizers on the first two gears, a new flywheel, and new, smoother shift linkage. The automatic transmission option, at least, was a major improvement. The old seven-speed was replaced by a new nine-speed with a lightweight magnesium case and Z-specific programming.
The drivetrain sorted, engineers turned their attention to the suspension. The 370Z handled well in its day, but things had changed in the past 12 years. Lower-friction Tokico monotube shocks allowed engineers to increase spring, damper, and anti-roll bar rates without hurting ride quality. The front suspension caster was also increased, giving the front wheels a longer contact patch and improving the steering’s centering and sense of straight ahead. Finally, the front tires were widened to further increase the size of the contact patch as well as lateral grip.
Next, the job turned to the interior. The old analog instrument cluster was replaced with a reconfigurable screen controlled by buttons on a new steering wheel. Next to all that, the ancient infotainment system was replaced with a big, new touchscreen. Below that, the climate control knobs got a glow-up, and the sail panels around the shifter we reworked. Revised door cards were fitted, and between them, new seats. Up on the top of the dash, the analog water temperature and batter voltage gauges, plus digital clock, were replaced with new analog turbo speed, boost pressure, and battery voltage gauges.
Finally, the whole thing was wrapped in new body panels channeling all previous eras of Z car design. Up front, headlights and a rectangular grille inspired by the original 240Z, in the back, the pill-shaped taillights of the later 300ZX.
By industry standards, we would consider this a heavy refresh, not a new car. Most of its chassis and suspension are the same, as is the fundamental design of the interior. Things certainly look different, and the key components including the powertrain, dashboard, and shock absorbers have been replaced, but at its core, the new Nissan Z is an updated 370Z, itself a heavily updated 350Z, dating back decades.
