Chicago 2012: Nissan Goes Minor With The 2013 370Z

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

February 7, 2012

Today, Nissan revaled the 2013 370Z before its debut at the Chicago Auto Show tommrrow. The 370Z gets minor changes on the outside with a new grill, vertical LED daytime running lights, and a red reflector out back.

The 2013 370Z will be offered in a coupe, converible, and NISMO trims. The coupe gets new 18-inch wheels, and two new exterior colors, Magma Red and Midnight Blue. Those who opt for the sport package get red-finished brake calipers, redesigned 19-inch rims, and retuned shocks.

Power remains the same; a 3.7L V6 332 HP mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic. The NISMO 370Z also has the same 3.7L V6, but produces 350 HP.

The 2013 370Z goes on sale in June.

Updated: Some Live Pics of the 2013 370Z

Press Release is on Page 2

CHICAGO - If it’s February in Chicago, it’s time for one thing – sports cars. Bringing a taste of hot performance to the Windy City winter, Nissan today debuted the revised 2013 Nissan 370Z on the floor of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. The new Z®, which is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide next June, features a number of enhancements designed to keep the legendary sports car fresh and exciting. For 2013, the Nissan 370Z will once again be available in Coupe, Roadster and NISMO Z configurations.

The updates for the new model year include:

• Refreshed front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights
  
• Red reflector added to rear fascia (replaces previous black center cover)
  
• Revised 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (Sport Package equipped models)
  
• New 18-inch wheels for 370Z Coupe
  
• Red-finished brake calipers (Sport Package equipped models)
  
• Dark-finish fuel gauge trim
  
• Euro-tuned shock absorbers (Sport Package equipped models)
  
• And two new exterior colors – Magma Red and Midnight Blue
  

The NISMO 370Z also adds a new Bose® Premium Audio Package with two additional speakers and two subwoofers, premium gun metallic dark-finish 19-inch wheels, and Nissan GT-R style high-rigidity brake hoses and performance brake fluid. The NISMO 370Z does not adopt the new front fascia/rear reflector, Euro-tuned shocks or Midnight Blue exterior color.

“Since the original 1970 Z® was first introduced our goal has always been to keep the design moving forward. The changes for 2013, though subtle, go a long way in enhancing its dynamic appearance inside and out,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

As in 2012, the 2013 370Z Coupe and 370Z Coupe Touring will each be available with a standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine and choice of 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic transmission. The 2013 370Z Roadster and 370Z Roadster Touring will be offered with the same engine but with the 6-speed manual offered only with the Touring model (the 7-speed automatic transmission is available with both).

The Nissan NISMO 370Z, a tuner-Z® enthusiast’s dream, will once again cap off the lineup – offering racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a specially tuned suspension and unique super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. Its 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine is matched with an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control – creating 350 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. Only one transmission is available, a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with standard SynchroRev Match®, which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting.

Additional details on the 2013 Nissan 370Z will be available closer to the June on-sale date.