Nissan 370Z launch in India in Jan 2010

It looks like we would be the last ones to write this story. As you have all heard from two dozen sources, the Nissan 370Z sportscar would be launched in India soon – probably at the upcoming Auto Expo 2010.

Photo: Nissan 370Z

If the rest of the world has already said this several times over, why are we mentioning this again?

Because there is always someone who has not heard this particular story, and he would be browsing through this site, and then he might come across this story and voila! We gain a new dedicated reader. Dedicated readers are hard to come by in these days of recession, and we can’t afford to lose one.

Nissan 370Z roadster

Why did we never mention the Nissan 370Z, however? Because writing about cars which 99.99 per cent of the Indian automobile market cannot buy is a bit saddening. Most of us are stuck with cars that cost around Rs 5 lakhs, a few of us can buy a Rs 10 lakh car, an extremely small number can go to Rs 20 lakh. The Nissan 370Z costs Rs 14,36,640 in the US – imported to India as a CBU, the normal import duties apply. Not sure exactly how much it is, but it is around 100 %. That would mean a price of Rs 30 lakh or so in India. On the road price would be even higher. Nissan already brings two cars into India through the CBU route – the Nissan Teana and the X-Trail. That price we mentioned above is still cheaper than some of the other comparable import cars in India.

Anyway, none of that means that the 370Z is not an amazing car. It is the successor to the iconic 350Z and is called the Fairlady Z in Japan. The 3700 cc engine of the 370Z produces 332 bhp, and a maximum torque of 374 Nm at 5200 rpm. The car is available in both roadster and coupe versions. You get a 7 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual transmission. Top speed is limited by drag to 160 mph, or 257 kmph. Does anyone remember the maximum speed on our roads? Just asking…

Nissan has announced that they would be launching the 370Z next month – that is January 2010, the month of the Auto Expo. Expect to see the 370Z near the upcoming Nissan Micra compact car for India which would be the most important car launch from the company.

Nissan 370Z specifications

DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection
Displacement: 226 cu in, 3696cc
Power (mfr’s claim): 330 bhp @ 7000 rpm
Torque (mfr’s claim): 270 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm

6-speed manual, 7-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

Wheelbase: 100.4 in

Length: 167.1 in

Width: 72.6 in

Height: 51.8 in

Zero to 60 mph: 5.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 13.0 sec
Top speed : 160 mph (257 kmph)