Nissan Releases Special Edition 40th Anniversary 370Z

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The original Z was sold in October 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and was also exported to the U.S. as the Datsun 240Z that same year. Since this year Nissan has been building and selling the newest Z, the 370Z, which is now the 40th year for the Z line of sport coupes and convertibles.

The Z car has been an overwhelming success for Nissan, with more than 1,685,000 models in five different generations being sold over that time.

Nissan is now celebrating the 40th anniversary milestone with the launch of a special edition 370Z Coupe that goes on sale next spring (the first Datsun 240Z actually went on sale in the U.S. on October 22 1969).

The special edition model is based on the Touring spec of the regular 370Z and comes with a six-speed manual transmission and Nissan’s nifty Synchro-Rev automatic rev-matching function. The car also gets a limited-slip differential, bigger brakes than the regular model and 19-inch Rays forged wheels. Special touches include red leather trim, red stitching throughout the cabin and a number of commemorative plaques. Finally, the car’s exterior is also finished in a unique "40th Quartz" paint scheme.

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The 25th anniversary is silver, the 50th is gold. And the 40th? Another precious metal, or more correctly metal, rubber and glass – the Nissan Z®. Forty years ago, on October 22, 1969, the Datsun 240Z arrived in North America, heralding a new era in sports car design.

Where previous sports cars were primarily a.) imported from England or Germany b.) expensive c.) fragile or unreliable or d.) all of the above, the new import from Japan offered the performance of a Porsche, the looks of a Jaguar and the price and reliability of, well, a Nissan. The 240Z was a revelation to the automotive world – an affordable sports car that could be driven every day and was accessible to anyone with the $3,626 base price.

And though the price of a new Z® might have changed a little in the past 40 years, its unmatched value, style, performance and segment leadership remains stronger than ever. To celebrate, Nissan has created a special, limited production version of the current 2010 Nissan 370Z Coupe, the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. It will be available at select Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in spring 2010.

“Throughout the history of the automobile, a rare handful of cars stand apart as vehicles that not only capture the imagination of the world but also embody the essence of the automaker’s brand, engineering and ideals. The Z® is just such a vehicle,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

Changing Times – Literally

When the original Datsun 240Z debuted as a 1970 model, its design and performance were considered state-of-the-art: a 150-horsepower 2.4-liter single overhead cam inline 6-cylinder engine, 4-wheel independent suspension, 14-inch wheels, choice of a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission, and a quarter-mile acceleration time of 17.1 seconds at 84.5 miles per hour. The 240Z was conceived as a closed coupe body, rather than the typical open-top sports cars of the age, to enhance body rigidity and, therefore, improve handling and durability.



Needless to say, a lot has changed. Today’s definition of state-of-the-art, as expressed in the sixth generation Nissan 370Z, includes a 332-horsepower 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift), lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension with extensive use of aluminum components, available 19-inch super lightweight forged alloy wheels, choice of 6-speed manual transmission with innovative SynchroRev Match™ or refined 7-speed automatic and independent quarter-mile acceleration times of 13.5 seconds at 106.6 miles per hour. And today, the recently introduced 370Z Roadster – with its automatic-operation fully lined cloth top, offers nearly the same body rigidity and performance as the rock-solid 370Z Coupe.

Also, where the 240Z offered what many considered “luxuries” in a sports car – including roll-up windows and radio, today’s 370Z is offered with items such as Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Push Button Start, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio and an advanced Nissan Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, XM NavTraffic® Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather® (XM® subscription required, sold separately), Zagat® restaurant guide, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and a USB fort for iPod® connectivity.



About the Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition

The 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition starts out as a 370Z Coupe Touring model equipped with manual transmission and Sport Package (including SynchroRev Match™, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous limited-slip differential) and adds a premium “40th Quartz” exterior color and red leather-appointed interior.

Additional exclusive equipment includes a high-luster smoke wheel finish, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges on the rear hatch and front strut tower brace. Inside, along with the red leather-appointed seats are red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary seatback and floormat embroidery, red stitching on the center stack, shift boot and kneepads, smooth leather steering wheel with red stitching and a plaque of authenticity. Every 40th Anniversary Z® also comes with a commemorative premium satin car cover.

General Information
Vehicle Type: 2-door coupe, production car

Drivetrain
Configuration Front Engine/RWD
Engine: V6
Displacement: 3700 cc
Horsepower: 332 bhp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 270 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
Max RPM: 7500 rpm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Dimensions
Weight: 3175 lbs
Height: 51.8 in
Length: 167.1 in
Width: 72.6 in
Wheelbase: 100.4 in

Performance
0-60 mph: 5.1 sec
0-100 mph: 12.8 sec
Quarter Mile: 13.7 sec @ 104 mph
Lateral Acceleration: .97g
Braking, 60-0 mph: 117 ft
Slalom Speed: 71.4 mph

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