ABDC 2018: Nissan 370Z NISMO

13th place

Why is it here?

This is the second model launched in Australia by Nissan’s NISMO performance arm, following the hyped-up GT-R.

Developed from the standard 370Z, which has now been around for more than eight years, the NISMO is a traditional rear-wheel drive coupe with a big, naturally-aspirated V6.

In a market increasingly dominated by hot hatches and turbocharging there’s not too many vehicles like this left on the market. Its obvious competition is the Ford Mustang GT V8.

What’s under the bonnet?

The NISMO pumps up the VQ-series 3.7-litre V6 from 245kW to 253kW and from 363Nm to 371Nm.

The chassis cops more of a workover; the suspension is retuned the brakes upgraded and stickier Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT 600 high-performance tyres replace Bridgestone Potenza RE050As.

They’re fitted to unique 19-inch RAYS alloy wheels measuring half an inch wider at 9.5-inch front and 10.5-inch rear.

>>Get all the 2018 Australia's Best Driver's Car results here

How does it perform?

Eighth fastest time at the dragstrip was a decent result, as was seventh at the track. Mid-pack stuff.

When it came to fuel consumption the NISMO fell down the order, the big naturally-aspirated donk slurping through an average 16.5L/100km.

Funnily enough, it was thirstier on the road than track. Only the Mazda MX-5 skewed the same way.

Out on the road the NISMO really divided opinion. If you could put up with the poor ergonomics, the six-speed manual’s heavy gearshift and a ride that seemed to delight in amplifying rather than smothering bumps, then there was pleasure to be found.

Massive grip, real in-gear grunt and feel-some steering delivered a hunkered down experience that suggested the NISMO crew have a pretty decent understanding of what they are trying to achieve.

Is it worth asking price?

Priced at $61,490, the NISMO is $14,000 more expensive than the standard 370Z. But that car has been moved way down in price so the NISMO looks like a pretty good deal.

Its keen pricing means the NISMO is within cooee of the aforementioned Mustang and undercuts the mid-size two-door offerings from the German big three.

Unique equipment includes a NISMO body kit including a specific rear spoiler, plus Recaro sports seats, a black/red NISMO Alcantara/leather steering wheel with red-stitched centre marker, red start button and, for auto versions, red paddle shifters.

Equipment shared with the standard car includes six airbags, a reversing camera, HDD satellite-navigation with 3D mapping, eight-speaker Bose audio system, automatic climate-control, Xenon headlights and a viscous limited-slip differential.

The 370Z NISMO offers a three-year/100,000km warranty and six-month/10,000km service intervals.

What do the judges think?

The Nissan 370Z NISMO is surely the most highly complemented competitor to finish second-last in the history of Australia’s Best Driver’s Car.

The praise the beefy coupe earned from some judges was more appropriate for a vehicle vying for a top six finish, not 13th out of 14 finalists.

James Whitbourne described it as a “capable and enveloping driver’s car”.

Paul Gover thought it “well balanced” and a better drive than the GT-R NISMO. Feann Torr “loved it”.

But others were not so enamoured. Matt Brogan saw many positives but also found the Z “busy, twitchy and difficult to bond with”.

Marton Pettendy bemoaned the “awful driving position”, flat engine, firm ride and lack of steering wheel reach adjustment in this company.

And that was the NISMO’s great challenge; impressive highs blotted out by dispiriting lows. The NISMO 370Z accolytes simply could not move the needle of the non-believers.

Considering the GT-R’s poor showing last year when it finished 11th and also second last, ABDC’s not been a happy hunting ground for NISMO.

Revisit last years action with ABDC 2017

2018 Nissan 370Z NISMO pricing and specifications:

Price: $61,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.7-litre six-cylinder petrol
Output: 253kW/371Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 10.4L/100km (ADR combined), 16.5L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 247g/km (estimated)
Safety rating: N/A

2018 Nissan 370Z NISMO performance figures (as tested):

0-100km/h: 7.1sec
0-400m: 14.760sec @ 162.9km/h
Lap time: 1:38.400

Related reading:

>> Nissan 370Z NISMO Review