Nismo is keen to break into Europe and off the back of the new Juke Nismo launch, Nissan's tuning wing has unveiled the 370Z Nismo. Faithful to its anticipated enthusiastic audience the 370Z Nismo will only be offered in manual and coupé form, with neither Roadster nor automatic options offered. It's still to be properly homologated, and the engine revisions liberate 26hp more for a maximum of 344hp, dropping the 0-100km/h time from 5.3- to 5.2 seconds. Not massive improvements, but Nismo's people admit the changes aren't necessarily about outright speed and instead how the 370Z Nismo delivers its performance.
Exterior
As with any higher performance derivative the 370Z Nismo gains some aerodynamic revisions to improve stability at speed. They're successful visually too, Nismo's subtle styling make-over very effective indeed. The lower skirts, front splitter and diffuser-style rear are all finished in contrasting dark grey, while the red pinstripe detailing, larger alloy wheels in smoke grey and red brake callipers - fed by high performance hoses pinched from the GTR - add some real appeal to the 370Z's familiar shape.
Interior
Again, Nismo's cabin alterations come straight from the tuner's handbook. There are deeply bolstered sports seats, an Alcantara covered steering wheel and plenty of Nismo badging. Like the red pin-striping outside the stitching is in red inside, too.
Mechanicals
Tweaks rather than wholesale changes here, the 3.7-litre V6 engine's output increasing by just 26hp, torque rising by a similarly modest 8Nm. Achieving this is a freer breathing exhaust system and revisions to the ECU, Nismo's engineers keen to improve engine responsiveness over chasing big power figures. All the better for catching a slide they suggest, which bodes well... The suspension too will be tweaked to deliver more control and precision on road and track.
Anything else?
The Nismo brand will continue to be rolled out over various current, and expected Nissan models. That includes a Nismo driver's pack for the electric LEAF, though whether it will reach Ireland remains to be seen.