The lack of LED lighting in the 370Z Nismo really struck me as odd when briefly testing the 2014 model in October of last year. Here is a car that is too-cool-for-school in almost every other way, but still lacking one of the most sought-after pieces of aesthetic technology?

That is rectified for 2015, with the new 370Z NISMO not just tacking on some Pep Boys mods: the entire front clip and nose aerodynamics have been redesigned. The red accent on the chin spoiler is sinfully delicious, as are the aforementioned LEDs themselves.

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO Facelift

Other tweaks abound but are very minimal overall, without a headline power increase. The headlights themselves are now tinted a dark shade, while the wheels are a new style of Rays alloys.

New venting appears in the lower front air-dam and slats appear in the rear bumper for 2015 as well. It looks good, but not super fresh. The convex roofline of this generation Z-car does not appeal to me like the previous model did.

Inside, all-new Recaro seating is interesting. The new chairs promises more comfort and more support, which is a nice balance for an upgrade. A Tech package also upgrades the normally-stripped NISMO audio system back to a thumping Bose unit.

Overall, the 370Z Nismo is still a cool operator. The enhancements are subtle, indicating a price jump from today’s $44,000 base price will be modest when arrivals begin to US dealers in July 2014.

We cannot help but feel the 370Z NISMO is down about 100 horsepower from greatness, even in this 2015 specification. As it stands, the car reaches 60-mph in about 4.8-seconds.

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO Specs

KEY U.S. DIMENSIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Vehicle:  2-passenger sports car
Drive Configuration:  Rear-wheel drive

Engine:

• 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL), rated at 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft torque

• Bore x Stroke (mm):  95.5 x 86

• Compression Ratio (:1):  11.0

• Maximum Engine Speed:  7,500 rpm

Exhaust: 

• NISMO-tuned dual exhaust with H-pipe configuration and polished tips

Transmission: 

• Close-ratio 6-speed manual with SynchroRev Match

• 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with paddle shifters

Final drive ratio: 

• 6-speed manual 3.916 (versus 3.692 standard 370Z)
  7-speed automatic 3.692 (versus 3.357 standard 370Z)

Suspension: 

• NISMO-tuned; independent double-wishbone with stabilizer bar front, independent multi-link with stabilizer bar rear;

• NISMO-tuned shock absorbers front and rear; NISMO-branded front strut tower brace; vibration dampers

Brakes: 

• Nissan Sport Brakes with red calipers; 14.0×1.3-inch vented disc/4-piston opposed caliper front, 13.8×0.8-inch vented disc/opposed 2-psiton caliper rear; highly rigid brake hoses and R35 Special II Fluid brake fluid

Steering: 

• Vehicle-speed variable-assist rack-and-pinion

Wheels:     

• 19-inch NISMO super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels by RAYS – 19×9.5-inch front, 19×10.5-inch rear

Tires:   

• Bridgestone Potenza S001 Y-rated performance tires – 245/40R19 front, 285/35R19 rear

• Wheelbase:      100.4 inches  

• Length:      170.5 inches

• Width:  72.6 inches

• Height:      51.8 inches

• Min. ground clearance:  4.7 inches

• Headroom:      38.2 inches

• Legroom:      42.9 inches

• Hip room:      54.6 inches

• Shoulder room:    54.4 inches

Exterior Features: 

• NISMO aerodynamic body design with unique front and rear fascias, side sills and low-profile rear spoiler;

• aluminum hood;

• bi-functional xenon headlights,

• LED Daytime Running Lights and automatic on/off headlights;

• distinctive vertical door handles;

• heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals;

Exterior colors – Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White

Interior Features: 

Recaro leather-appointed seats with Alcantara accents, red seat trim and stitching with NISMO logo,
Alcantara-appointed leather-wrapped steering wheel;

NISMO red tachometer; serialized plaque of authenticity with model year designation; aluminum-trimmed pedals;

Bose audio system; available Nissan Navigation system with 7.0-inch touch-sensitive display, Rearview Monitor
Models:  370Z NISMO, 370Z NISMO Tech

*U.S. specifications only, current as of May 2014. Subject to change without notice.

 

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO makes surprise world debut at North Carolina “ZDAYZ” event

• Refined 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO makes global debut today at annual gathering of Nissan, Datsun and NISMO sports car owners and performance enthusiasts

• Refreshed 370Z NISMO features distinctive new exterior appearance, redesigned wheels and enhanced interior; 7-speed automatic transmission is also available

• Performance enhancements include retuned suspension and Recaro co-developed seats exclusively designed for 370Z Nismo

• 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO goes on sale at U.S. Nissan dealers in July 2014

FONTANA DAM, North Carolina – There was a surprise “guest” today at ZDAYZ, the annual gathering of hundreds of Nissan, Datsun and NISMO owners and enthusiasts – the world debut of the new 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO. A solid progress for 2015, the new 370Z NISMO model features exterior, interior and performance refinements, along with an expanded model selection that includes both 6-speed manual and 7-speed automatic transmissions and a new 370Z NISMO Tech grade.

“NISMO is the heart and soul of Nissan performance, both for the track and on the street, so it’s fitting that we are showing the dramatic new 2015 370Z NISMO for the first time at a gathering of our most loyal and enthusiast owners,” said Nissan Chief Planning Officer and Executive Vice President Andy Palmer. “The new 370Z NISMO joins the recently introduced Nissan GT-R NISMO and Nissan JUKE NISMO RS, giving performance fans a range of fresh, factory tuned NISMO models to enjoy.”

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO

The most striking change for the 2015 370Z NISMO is its revised exterior design. Its GT-R-inspired functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces have been redesigned to provide an aggressive and more aerodynamic new appearance – as well as optimizing front and rear downforce. Key changes include a new, deep front fascia with LED Hyper Daytime Running Lights, black headlight bezels, NISMO emblem and signature NISMO red stripe accent on the integrated front chin spoiler. The red accent continues down the redesigned side sills, on the black-color sideview mirrors and across the lower portion of the redesigned rear fascia. The unique NISMO rear spoiler has been reshaped and downsized.

The standard 19-inch NISMO super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels by RAYS also have been restyled for 2015 with a twin-five spoke design and a charcoal gray machine-finish (formerly silver).

Inside, the unique NISMO-styled interior is enhanced with redesigned black-and-red Recaro leather-appointed seats with Alcantara accents. The new seats, co-developed with Recaro, are exclusively designed for the 370Z NISMO to provide more uniform body pressure and better all-direction holding during spirited acceleration, braking and cornering. They also play a key role in providing driving excitement by maximizing the harmony between driver and machine. The interior also features red seat trim and stitching with NISMO logo, an Alcantara-appointed leather-wrapped steering wheel and NISMO red tachometer.

Also new for 2015 is the 370Z NISMO Tech model, which adds a hard drive-based Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch VGA touch-sensitive display, RearView Monitor, Bose Audio System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Streaming Audio via Bluetooth, auto-dimming rearview mirror and HomeLink Universal Transceiver.

As in previous years, the 2015 370Z NISMO is powered by a potent 350-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The engine is matched with an exclusive, tuned H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and  an optimized calibration is installed to help create 18 horsepower more than a standard 370Z Coupe. Torque is rated at 276 lb-ft.

Two transmission choices are offered for the first time on the Z NISMO model. The close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission features standard SynchroRev Match, the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission, which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting. Newly available is a refined 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with paddle shifters.

The 370Z NISMO also features a refined 4-wheel independent suspension, NISMO-branded strut tower brace for enhanced body rigidity and a pair of performance dampers to help minimize road-input vibrations and help contribute to the NISMO 370Z’s high levels of handling and performance feel. The NISMO tuned suspension includes special springs and stabilizer bars. Large Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) – with a shorter final drive ratio for better acceleration feel – are also standard on the 2015 370Z NISMO.

The 2015 370Z NISMO is offered in just four exterior colors – Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White. It is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2014.

“There’s much more to love about the 370Z NISMO than ever before – the new appearance inside and out, enhanced handling, new wheels, more technology and a choice of transmissions,” added Palmer. “Our fans here at ZDAYZ want only the best and that’s what this new 370Z NISMO delivers.”

About ZDAYZ
ZDayZ is an annual Z car enthusiast gathering that takes place in various locations around the United States. Each year the event draws hundreds of Nissan Z, GT-R and other Nissan performance car enthusiasts from all over North America. This year’s ZDayZ is being held May 15-19 at Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam, North Carolina. Activities include a car show, exhaust sound-off competition, 5/10K race, group dinners and multiple group mountain road drives.