Nismo 370Z on sale at a price under $40k

The Japanese automaker Nissan has just released pricing information regarding their factory tuned, Nismo version of the latest interpretation of the Z car. With an MSRP of only $39,130 “The new NISMO Z is a tuner and Z enthusiast’s dream – straight from the factory,” said Pat Steiner, Director of Specialty Vehicles, at Nissan North America. “With its dramatic exterior, custom interior, sport-tuned performance and under $40,000 price, this new NISMO Z is possibly the best ‘bang-for-the-buck’ sports car available today.”

The Nismo treatment consists of more than just body mods. Thanks to a free flowing exhaust and reprogrammed ECU the Nismo 370Z makes 350 HP 276 lb-ft of torque, that is 18 HP more than the standard 370Z Coupe’s 332 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque. The Nismo Z will only be offered with the company’s close-ratio 6 speed manual transmission with the heel-toe replacing SynchroRev Match. The chassis receives some additional bracing thanks to a reinforced strut tower brace. The Nismo car rides on unique 5 spoke RAYS forged aluminum alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter and wrapped with Yokohama ADVAN Sport high-performance rubber. Inside of the rims, Nissan engineers have utilized a set of the company’s sport brakes and there is a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential in between the rear ones.

The most striking aspect of the Nismo car is the functional and fully integrated aerodynamic enhancing body kit that is made up of an extended nose complete with canards at each corner for improved down force and a fully integrated chin spoiler to keep air from getting underneath the vehicle at speed. The modifications don’t stop at the vehicles exterior, inside you will find a pair of red and black racing buckets wearing the NISMO name across its back. There is also a special edition NISMO tachometer in the gauge cluster and a smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel complete with red stitching. The one item that will truly set the Nismo Z apart from all imitators is a small tag that identifies the car as a genuine product of Nissan Motorsports.

Press release after the jump.

Press release

Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) announced pricing for the all-new 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z™, which goes on sale today at Nissan retailers nationwide. The new, second-generation NISMO Z® continues the tradition of the original, offering unique performance and design attributes that true sports car enthusiasts are looking for – including a functional aerodynamic body design, 18 additional horsepower and a special sport-tuned suspension.

The 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z™, which is equipped with a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match, has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price* (MSRP) of US $39,130. Only three accessories are available on this well equipped vehicle – NISMO carpeted floor mats, illuminated kick plates and a carpeted trunk mat.

“The new NISMO Z® is a tuner and Z® enthusiast’s dream – straight from the factory,” said Pat Steiner, Director, Specialty Vehicles, Nissan Division, NNA. “With its dramatic exterior, custom interior, sport-tuned performance and under $40,000 price, this new NISMO Z® is possibly the best ‘bang-for-the-buck’ sports car available today.”

About the 2009 NISMO 370Z

The NISMO 370Z™ was developed by Nissan’s Specialty Vehicles Group in conjunction with Autech Japan, Nissan’s longstanding conversion partner. The NISMO Z®’s standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL) develops 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque (versus the standard 370Z Coupe’s 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque), thanks in part to an exclusive free flow dual exhaust system, muffler tuning and an optimized Engine Control Module.

As expected of a true performance machine, the NISMO 370Z™ is offered with only one transmission – a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with standard SynchroRev Match-the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission introduced earlier this year on 370Z Coupe (which simulates perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting).

The NISMO 370Z™ also features a refined 4-wheel independent suspension, a reinforced strut tower brace for enhanced body rigidity and a pair of performance body dampers to manage road-input vibrations and help contribute to the NISMO 370Z™’s stability and performance feel. The NISMO-tuned suspension includes specially tuned springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars. Wider, unique 5-spoke 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires. Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential are also standard on the NISMO 370Z™.

Along with its standout performance, the new NISMO Z® stands out from the crowd with its dramatic performance-oriented exterior and interior styling. The functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body modifications include an extended nose with a canard design at each corner for improved downforce and a fully integrated chin spoiler. Special side sills and a unique rear fascia help manage airflow under the vehicle, while the functional rear spoiler also increases downforce.

The interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and red stitching, a NISMO tachometer, a smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel with red parallel stitching, a smooth leather-wrapped shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. A serialized plaque of authenticity is also matched to each NISMO Z®, identifying its unique serial and model year designation.