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Photos: 2009 Nissan 370Z

Nissan launched the 2009 Nissan 370Z, the successor to the 350Z, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. This new Z features a bigger engine, shorter wheelbase, and impressive available cabin tech.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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1 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Z tradition

Nissan has been building Z cars since 1969, starting with the 240Z. For the 2009 model year, Nissan has launched the latest iteration of this car, the 370Z, replacing the 350Z launched in 2002.
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2 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

2009 Nissan 370Z

The 370Z is Nissan's dedicated sports car. It's a two-seater with a little extra cargo room in back. There isn't a roadster version yet--Nissan will continue selling the convertible version of the 350Z.
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3 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Changes

Nissan made significant changes to the Z for the 2009 model year, widening the track, shortening the wheelbase, and taking some weight out.
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4 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

GT-R touches

The 370Z borrows a number of design touches from the GT-R launched last year, including these boomerang headlights. The taillights have a similar design.
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5 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Upgraded engine

The previous model used a 3.5-liter V-6. Nissan ups that to a 3.7-liter V-6 using variable lift and timing on the intake valves. This engine puts out 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.
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6 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Reshaped body

Nissan gave the Z a longer nose and a faster back for the 2009 model year, a significant reshaping over the previous car. The 370Z looks like a mini-GT-R.
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7 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Suspension

Cornering is very good in this car because of its sport-tuned suspension, V-brace under the rear of the car, and wide tires, but long runs on the freeway can be uncomfortable.
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8 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Cargo area

The cargo area is long and wide, but too shallow to hold big bags.
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9 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Sports car cabin

The fit and finish in the cabin feels very good, and this is definitely a sports car cockpit. The seating position is nice and low to the ground.
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10 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Tight steering

The steering is very tightly tuned, and exhibits oversteer. It doesn't take much input to change the car's direction.
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11 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Instrument cluster

Appropriate for a sports car, the tachometer is front and center on the instrument cluster, with the speedometer off to the side.
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12 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Gauge pods

As in the previous model, three pods rise from the center dash. Two show gauges for battery and temperature, while the third has a clock.
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13 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Six-speed manual

Our car had a six-speed manual. This transmission uses an innovative feature called SynchroRev Matching, which blips the throttle during downshifts so you don't lose engine speed. A seven-speed automatic is available.
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14 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Stock stereo

The stock stereo is pretty poor. Its single CD player doesn't even read MP3 CDs. But the unit does have an auxiliary jack in the face plate.
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15 of 16 CBS Interactive

Navigation option

This picture is from the new Nissan Maxima, showing the hard drive-based navigation system and controls that are also available in the 370Z.
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16 of 16 Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive

Rear visibility

Rearward visibility is very poor in the 370Z, with just a gun-slit view in the mirror.

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