Nissan 370Z Nismo

The 370Z NISMO is not ,as Nissan would have you believe, an entirely new addition to Nismo's portfolio.It has existed in the US since the regular 370Z was introduced in 2009, in coupe and manual-only specification. As with the standard manuals, the Nismo features rev-shift, the heel-and-toe-aping system that helps to smooth the Z's downshifts; because of the rather weighty springing of the gearshift it self, it's not too difficult to look clumsy.

That has always been part of the 370Z's appeal, though: feeling rather old-school and demanding in an all-too-easy new-school world.Nismo's target customers may come from gaming , but the Z is no uninvolving, digital experience.lts small 16bhp boost over the standard 370Z comes courtesy of cheat codes in the ECU, though, the only physical change being a freer-breathing exhaust. Those two pipes get a 10mm increase in diameter but still aren't intense enough to drown out the noisy V6.

The interior gets a sizeable shot of kit, with sat-nav and a reversing camera included in the no-options Nismo.Its status as the sporting flagship is highlighted inside in red, with Nismo badges, and leather and Alcantara are liberally smattered around the tough interior.There's a numbered plaque, too.

Outside, that red highlighting theme continues.The Nismo wears a body kit that aids high-speed stability by smoothing airflow around and underneath its body.lt is difficult to miss, adding a big boot-mounted spoiler and some width to cover those wider rear wheels ( the rears are half an inch wider) , while a protruding front splitter and rear diffuser add 150mm to the Nismo's length.

It's what's underneath that matters,though, and Nismo has added five body struts to increase rigidity.Suspention changes to the US model have been developed by Nismo's Japanese engineers with input from the Nissan Technical Centre Europe. The spring rates have risen by 14 per cent at the front , and damper rates are 23 per cent stiffer at the front and 41 per cent at thew rear. Despite the greater focus,it's not overly troubled by poor surfaces, and its composure and control impress.

The drivetrain reamains diminant.The small increase in power barely makes any difference in reality.It feels slightly more eager at highter revs, but the engine's ever-present sound and vibrations are much the same as you'll find in non-Nismo versions.So, too,is the Z's ability to oversteer, which it will do on demand . The steering feels slightly quicker, but the brakes get the biggest boost, with a confidence-inspiring shorter pedal movement and brake fluid and hoses borrowed from the GT-R.

The Nismo offers a faster, more composed 370Z drive. However, £26,995 and provides much the same thrills, if a lot less equipment.Price-wise, the Nismo is getting into Cayman territory, and although the Porsche is outgunned on performance and kit, the Nissan is outpointed on the road.

• Price:  £36,995
• 0-100km/h: 5.2sec
• Top speed: 250km/h
• Economy: 9.4km/L (combined,est)
• Co2: 248g/km (est)
• Kerb Weight: 1535kg
• Engine: V6,3696cc,petrol
• Installation: Front,longitudinal,RWD
• Power: 339bhp at 7400rpm
• Torque: 373Nm at 5200rpm
• Gearbox: 6-spd manual
• Fuel Tank: 72litres
• Boot: 235litres
• Wheels: 9.5Jx19in (f),10.5Jx19in (r)
• Types: 245/40 R19(f),285/35 R19 (r)

Almera Given The Nismo Touch

Nissan`s B-segment sedan will soon be sportier than ever

During the SUPER GT raceday,Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn.Bhd.(ETCM) and Nissan Motorsports International Co.,Ltd.(Nismo) unveiled the Nissan Almera Nismo Performance Package concept car at the Sepang International Circuit.The Nismo boffins have worked their magic on the standard Almera to make the B-segment sedan look,feel and sound a lot sportier.

This new performance package features new front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts ,rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels.Nissan`s tuning arm has also fitted the Nismo Almera with a Nismo Exhaust Muffler,which will provide the car with a sportier engine note to complement the aggressive styling.

According to the company,the aerodynamics of the performance package has been specifically optimised for the Almera.Coupled with a sports suspension,the aero pack enhances the handling characteristics of the standard car, allowing it to be more agile and an offer an improved dynamic driving experience.

From what we can gather,there is no performance boost.Besides the sports suspension,ETCM hasn`t divulged any information regarding upgraded internals,so this package is pretty much a cosmetic boost. Despite not being  able to sample the interior,we managed to get a sneak peak.From what we noticed,the car was fitted with sports seats.Whether or not the Almera during the launch of this performance package is fitted with them is pure speculation right now.

According to ETCM, the Nissan Almera Nismo Performance package has been scheduled for launch in the fourth quarter of this year,so we will have to wait and see if the company adds anything more to the package`s list of enhancements.

Nissan's Blitz of Friendly Fire

NISSAN HAS DROPPED a concept car bomb on its bland saloons and hatchbacks with the Friend-ME, an excruciatingly named but very desirable take on the compact saloon.

Like Audi with the A3 four-door and Mercedes with the CLA, Nissan clearly has an eye on the compact saloon market. It says the Friend-ME concept is 'applicable globally', though the hotspots are the USA and China, where the concept was uneiled.

You can't knock the business case: the C-segment is China's biggest, and the Friend-ME is aimed specifically at the Chinese equivalent of Thatcher's children (Deng Xiaoping's children?), the 240million people born in the 1980s.

This 20-something, middle class demographic - especially the males - 'will shape automotive trends worldwide for decades to come,'says Francois Bancon, not a famous Irish artist but a Nissan product planner.

Nissan envisages the Friend-ME as a sort of social club, where only-children can meet and share things swiped from their smartphones to big shared screens.

The exterior design is far removed from the long-gone Almera, and today's Versa/Tiida which is inflicted on US and Chinese buyers. The glasshouse is reminiscent of the GT-R's   ,and the flowing wings look shared with the Inifiniti Essence concept. The deep, U-shaped nose is a strong take on the front end that's being rolled out on Nissans globally. Under the skin, the Friend-ME adopts an existing platform, and runs hybrid power, as most concept seem to.

Heavily Scuplted Bodywork

• It's all about 'distilled Da Qi' or, gibbers Nissan, standing out while going with the flow. Presumably by wearing Vivienne Westwood clothes in the dark.

Long, Wide Stance

• The look of the car is given a boost by the low and wide stance, giving butch proportions and plenty of presence.

Hybrid Platform

• Underneath the swoopy bodywork is an existing Nissan floorpan with a hybrid drivetrain. Car is poised for a production green light.

Flying Buttresses

• There's a hint of Ferrari 458 about the C-pillar buttresses, and glasshouse very GT-R. All told, the Friend-ME stands out from typical bland Japanese saloons.