In the United Kingdom, the Nissan Z car has been prowling the streets for 40 years. In order to celebrate, Nissan UK has released a special edition of the current Z car, the 370Z GT. The hat-tip to the original Z offers special paint schemes, big 19″ wheels, and performance suspension tuning.
The GT’s special decals can be put on three colors: Pearl White, Kuro (metallic) black and Black Rose. The 370z’s dampers have been tuned to support high speed handling and the available seven-speed automatic has recalibrated shift points. “The combination of outstanding performance and the dramatic looks of this very special 370Z more than lives up to the heritage of its illustrious forebear while its strong links to the race track shows its true pedigree,” said Pierre Loing, Vice President Product Planning, Nissan International SA.
Read the full press release below.
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NISSAN 370Z GT EDITION: A CELEBRATION
- Special limited edition race-themed Coupé
- Three special body colour choices, side stripes and darkened 19″ alloy wheels
- Suspension changes to enhance ride comfort, high speed handling
To celebrate in Nissan’s global success in GT racing and 40 years of Z in the UK a special ‘GT Edition’ is being unleashed. Offering special body colours, unique GT stripes, darkened 19inch RAYS forged alloy wheels and a number of significant suspension and equipment changes.
The GT Edition recognises its heritage with a nod to the 1970s and the birth of the original Z car: special side stripes.
Grey ‘GT’ stripes running along the flanks of the car contrast with each of the special edition’s three body colours – Pearl White, Kuro (metallic) black and Black Rose, the latter shade is exclusive to GT Edition. The exterior is set off by the standard 19inch RAYS forged alloy wheels finished in a dramatic dark anthracite colour.
In deference to the higher average speeds routinely enjoyed in Europe, changes to the GT chassis have been engineered by technicians from Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) based in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. The principal modification has been to retune the dampers to provide the ideal balance between ride comfort and high-speed handling.
Equipment changes include the arrival of a rear view parking camera as part of the Premium Connect satellite navigation system and the fitment of a tyre pressure monitoring system. The advanced seven-speed automatic option now has a snow mode which, when applied, sets the car off in second gear and controls engine revs to prevent wheel spin on ice or snow. Refinement is enhanced by revisions to underbody insulation to reduce road noise.
“The 370Z is an iconic sports car and the GT Edition underlines its appeal to enthusiasts everywhere,” said Pierre Loing, Vice President Product Planning, Nissan International SA. “The combination of outstanding performance and the dramatic looks of this very special 370Z more than lives up to the heritage of its illustrious forebear while its strong links to the race track shows its true pedigree.”
As the name implies, the GT Edition celebrates Nissan’s presence in GT racing on the world stage. As well as its continuing commitment to Super GT in Japan, Nissan has been one of the leading lights in the new GT1 World Championship, winning the prestigious Tourist Trophy in 2010 with the fearsome GT-R. The Nissan Z family has been a race winner in the FIA GT4 European Cup since its inception and competes annually in various 24 hour races – the highlight being the Nürburgring 24 hours.
The Nissan 370Z GT4 Cup race car has raced toe to toe against competition from Aston Martin, Porsche and BMW across Europe in the real world while it is also the racing gamers’ vehicle of choice in the virtual world.
An innovative link with Gran Turismo 5 game for PlayStation® 3 has seen cyber racers compete against each other to win a drive in a real 370Z GT4 cup car. The 2011 GT Academy series, already underway, with on-line gamers ready to swap the virtual world for the real thing.
The best will become part of the Nissan GT Academy, a motor racing ladder that could take top drivers from local series through the European Blancpain Endurance series right the way to international GT1 World Championship.
The new GT Edition 370Z is available to order from participating 370Z dealers with first deliveries expected from 1 June 2011 and priced from £35,000
