The thrill of Z uncovered

If you’re Nissan, how do you make a 370z more exciting? You take all the stuff going on outside the car while it’s motoring along and you bring it inside.

In addition to the already thrilling experience of driving a 370Z, you get the wind rushing all around your face, the sounds of other cars as the 370Z goes whizzing past and the sunshine beating down on your thinning hair (maybe that’s just me but with a starting price of $47,000, don’t be surprised if there’s less up top by the time you can afford one).

The new roadster replaces the previous generation’s 350Z, with the change in name indicating the bigger and better version of the Nissan VQ V6. The previous generation had some neat features, some of which have carried over.

Most notable are the two seats individually tailored to driver and passenger – the driver’s seat has a bit different support to lessen the tediousness of driving (if there can ever be such a thing in this car). It still takes a bit of work to settle in behind the wheel, but you’re comfy and supported once you’re there.

The fabric is unique, with a kind of raised mesh laid over the cushions. On the previous generation, this was the material for the seatbacks, and allowed natural cooling of the back when the top was down and the rush of air swirled into the back of the cabin (welcome on those hot summer days, not so much on those cool sunny spring days when you’re ready to welcome summer or their fall counterparts when you want to get in one last open-top trip).

As presented, it preserves the feel of the previous gen while providing a natural grippy surface to hold you in handling exercises. It also provides a bit of natural coolness on sunny summer days and warmth on the edges of the drop-top season. Electric heat and coolness takes care of the extremes.

The top itself is of fabric composition, which means it lets in more outside noises than a hard version would. It also means that Nissan was able to keep the overall weight down fairly close to that of the 370Z coupe, even with all the added weight of the top mechanicals (the roadster is actually lighter by a couple kg). And, it preserves the flavour of the classic sports car.

It also keeps handling in check without the need to beef up the suspension, which also often results in harsher ride over smaller ripples and more noticeable body shake when the top is down. As presented, the handling is remarkable stable for an open-top vehicle and the ride stay nicely composed surfaces you’re going to encounter on your every day commute.

And with the ability to seat another person, a full trunk in which to carry just about anything you need to take along (with plenty of room to spare) and a return of reasonable economy if you work the standard six-speed manual right, it’s probably one of the best personal vehicles in which to travel to and from the office.

And, you get the added enjoyment of runs out into cottage country, once your weekend homebody duties are all settled, or a drive to the country club for an afternoon 18 (there are instructions inside the trunk lid about how to fit in a golf bag!).

Power comes from the same 3.7-litre V6 that powers the full-bodied counterpart, so all things being equal (weight, aerodynamics, etc.), you shouldn’t see a difference between roadster and coupe performance.

The only difference you’ll notice is the wisps of hair, licking at your face.