Apr 20, 2009

Nissan Goes Topless in New York

The auto business is in the doldrums these days, but one way to get consumers buying cars again is to give them exciting products. And one of the most exciting cars unveiled at the New York International Auto Show was the all-new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. Maybe we’re just suckers for the now-endangered soft-top, but there is something wonderfully appealing about classic open-air motoring in a vehicle with the capabilities of the 370Z. While the Z Roadster offers a wide range of convenience equipment, our interest immediately turned to the 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine. Then comes the difficult choice between the seven-speed automatic transmission with downshift rev control and the close-ratio six-speed manual with available “SynchroRev Match.”  

As to that convertible top, it is always black no matter what the body color is, and it has a fabric inner liner and a glass rear window. If you want it to retract, you simply push a button on the console or doors, and it’ll disappear under its hard tonneau in 20 seconds or less. In the unlikely event you want it to go up, it will automatically latch to the windshield header without you doing anything but activating the button. To make top-down driving a bit less of a trial on cool or super-hot days, the Roadster offers optional heating and cooling ventilated net seats. Electronic niceties include Bluetooth hands-free, satellite radio and the Nissan navigation system. 
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