Shifting tricks
Switching gears is accomplished with a smooth and grabby clutch, as well as a stubby and solid shifter. The process isn’t quite as precise and refined as drivers will experience in something like an RX-8 or S2000, though the Z’s shifter remains entertaining to row through its gate.

Combining the peaky engine with the wide tires, very powerful brakes and quick, direct and communicative steering, the 370Z feels like driving one great big, high-revving contact patch. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)/Auto123.com)

Turn the auto-blipping Synchro Rev Match system on, and things get even better. By monitoring clutch and gearshift position in real time, the system automatically and instantly blips the throttle for perfectly rev-matched downshifts, nailing each one perfectly and turning out racing-inspired sound effects every time. Don’t tell your passengers about Synchro Rev Match, and they’ll think you’ve had 3 years of heel-and-toe lessons from Michael Schumacher himself.

It’s hugely entertaining, though of course, the average enthusiast will prefer to do the footwork themselves.

Track first for the ride and handling
Combining the peaky engine with the wide tires, very powerful brakes and quick, direct and communicative steering, the 370Z feels like driving one great big, high-revving contact patch.

The overall experience of pushing the Z to its limits is both electrifying and rewarding. The car does exactly as requested, and perceptive drivers will even be able to feel the body undulating tightly over the track-tuned suspension when pushing hard through a corner. The Z’s performance limits are exceptionally high-- and only exploitable on a circuit by drivers wishing to keep their license intact.

The Catch
Of course, for all the performance, there are a few compromises.

If the Z sounds like your kind of car, you’ll probably give the tight cabin, terrible rearward visibility, limited storage and often-rough ride little second thought. There’s precious little space for your things, big or small, and incoming road noise is also generous.

Redemption for the storage-challenged cabin comes in the form of gorgeous trim and exciting looks-- which feature great colour contrast and trim materials that appear to be moonlighting from a day job lining the cabin of an Infiniti G37. It’s a whole lot more exciting to look at than a comparable two-seat, track-ready German car.

Incidentally, said German car would cost you bit more than the fifty grand Nissan wants for a fully loaded Anniversary Edition 370Z model. In fact, when it comes to fantastic performance, styling and entertainment value, the latest Z is actually sort of a bargain.

Four decades of existence have only made the Nissan Z stronger, lighter, smarter, tighter, firmer and more agile than ever. (Photo: Justin Pritchard)/Auto123.com)