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I MUST admit, when Nissan Philippines booked this writer for a week with the company’s iconic Z car, the 370Z Nismo, my heart skipped a beat. This is not the Z car of the garden variety because the Nismo badge means that this two-seater is performance-oriented and equipped with an aesthetic that makes the car stand out like Brad Pitt from a crowd of monkeys.
The Nissan 370Z Nismo is the extreme version of the V6-powered sports coupe. For those who live under a rock, Nismo is the skunk work of the Japanese brand. All the cars leaving this facility are lethal and notoriously fast. The Nismo wizards were the same technomancers who transformed a Juke crossover into a Ferrari killer by cutting the subframe off a Gran Tourismo Racer and bolting it onto a Juke body.
The sheer looks of this version of the Nismo is enough to make any car enthusiast drool and feel weak on their knees. It has a full racing body kit, equipped with wide alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile tires, a thick spoiler, and red accents throughout the exterior. The subtle roar of the engine and the two exhaust ports give away the true nature of the car.
Powered by an upgraded version of the 3.7-liter V6, the 370Z’s powerhouse is rated at 342 bhp and the tuned sport suspension provides the car with stiffness and balance when going through fast corners. My test unit had an automatic gearbox that made stop-and-go traffic bearable.
I love the dash design, the body that hugs the Recaro seats, and the telescopic steering wheel. The Nismo-branded tachometer and badge on the gearbox add to its exclusivity, and the sound system is something Quincy Jones to write about. This sports coupe is all about style, performance and looks.
Driving this car allows you to lock the horns with the Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ, Toyota 86, and even the revered Supra, which I think is on par with the 370Z. Although this sports coupe is a JDM certified two-seater without any identity issues.
As for this writer, I’ve been betting the lottery for the past few days in hopes of hitting the jackpot and buying one of Nissan’s biggest hits. P3.89M is a big change for a low-income person like me. It’s the car of my dreams, next to the GTR, of course.
TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DINO RAY V. DIRECT 3ER
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