Nor'West News: October 12, 2023

Thursday October 12 2023 11
New Nissan Z pays homage to its history
A NEW and long overdue
version one of Japan’s most iconic
sport coupes, the Nissan Z, is
keeping the torch burning for
these models, at time when many
car makers are hitting the delete
button on them.
This is a Nissan with a
colourful history, dated back
54 years to 1969, when the
great granddad of today’s Z,
the Datsun 240Z, made its
world debut. The new seventhgeneration
Z dropped its
numerical prefix and in the
process a little bit of the car’s
heritage.
The new Z adopts a traditional
www.drivesouth.co.nz
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
rear-wheel drive sports car
design, with a long bonnet, lower
rear end stance and a silhouette
that pays homage to the firstgeneration
Z.
All models run a high-energy
3.0-litre V6 twin turbo engine
with the choice of a close-ratio
6-speed manual gearbox
complete or a 9-speed automatic
with paddle shifters. Both wear
the same $84,990 price tag. The
test vehicle was an auto, which
most buyers are expected to opt
for.
The motor features variable
valve timing, force-fed by
small-diameter turbochargers,
regulated for maximum
spooling speed
to balance power
output and throttleresponse
time. These
enhancements improve
the vehicle’s power to
weight ratio by over
Incorporating
best motorbuys
12 per cent and deliver sharper
acceleration compared to its
impressive predecessor, the 370Z,
and it was no slouch. Peak power
and torque rise in the new engine
to 298kW and 475Nm – the
latter being 31 per cent higher
than its predecessor. With its
strong, almost turbine-like power
delivery there are few other sixcylinder
coupes that provide the
exhilarating acceleration of this
one for its asking price. It even
knocks the performance spots
off a number of more expensive
rivals.
The new 9-speed automatic
offers direct and rapid gear
changes that are executed with
pinpoint precision. It gave the test
a car an extra lively feel thanks to
its wide gear ratios and standard
launch control system.
Designed to fit the driver
and passenger like a glove, the
snug cabin seamlessly blends
modern technology with vintage
Z touches. The centre stack uses
a three-zone approach, placing
three analogue pod gauges on the
instrument panel (boost, turbo
speed, volt) and all within the
driver’s gaze.
Comfy black woven cloth seats,
with an 8-way manual driver’s
seat, are a great place to enjoy
all this iconic sport car has to
offer. A full range of convenience
technology includes Nissan
Intelligent Key with Push Button
Start, Intelligent Cruise Control,
auto-dimming rearview mirror,
Rearview Monitor, two 12-volt
power points, and two USB
points (Type-A and Type-C).
There’s a modest 8.0-inch touch
screen, a lot smaller than you
would expect in a car costing this
much.
There’s been a worthwhile rejig
of the suspension. The front and
rear dampers have switched to a
new mono tube shock absorber
design with a larger diameter
than the outgoing 370Z. The
upshot is an estimated 20 per
cent reduction in dampening
force to help minimise impact
shock over uneven surfaces,
and unleash better handling
stability. The front doublewishbone
aluminum suspension
features uprated geometry
with mathematical wizardry
improving the vehicle’s straightline
stability. A two-point front
Ratings out of 10:
Performance 8; Handling
8; Styling 7; Comfort 6;
Fit and Finish 8; Avg fuel
consumption on road test
6.2L/100km; Value for money
7; Safety – Five Star ANCAP
crash rating. Possible clean
car fee of $3248 and $6900
Overall points out of 10:
7.5
strut tower brace is standard.
The rear independent multi-link
aluminum suspension has also
been reconfigured with new
settings.
The low speed ride in finest
Z traditions is almost as still as
a British upper lip in low speed
town driving, particularly over
the worst badly worn road
surfaces. The road holding
is simply superb. Whether it
a long sweeping corner or a
tight and unforgiving one, the
test car navigated them with
consummate ease. Its low-slung
stance and the huge footprint of
the meaty tyres have the excellent
grip required to take charge on
bumpy undulating surfaces, with
plenty of adhesion in reserve if
needed.
EST 1973
Opposite
Uprising
Rock
Climbing
CAR CITY
196 FERRY
ROAD!
Ph (03) 379 4254
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $19,990
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $11,990
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $8,990
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $11,990
5 sPeed
2010 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4
3 litre, diesel/turbo, reverse camera, hi-low.
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $5,990
biG 22 iNCH wHeels
2009 Holden Commodore SV6
Multibags, 22 inch wheels, low 151,000kms, cool look.
4x4
2005 Toyota Rav 4 Ltd
2400cc, auto, 4x4, cruise control, cam chain.
lOw 119,000kms
2008 Lexus IS250
6 speed auto, alarm, immobiliser, tranction control,
sharp in red.
FROM NO
FROM NO
FROM NO
FROM NO
FROM NO
DEPOSIT NOW $11,990 DEPOSIT NOW $5,990 DEPOSIT NOW $5,990 DEPOSIT NOW $19,990 DEPOSIT NOW $34,990
lOw 95,000kms
2006 Nissan March
1240cc, auto, multi bags,
cheap runner.
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $6,990
98,000kms
2012 Volvo V60 S/W
1800cc, auto, leather, 2 keys, lane
departure, brake assist, accident
avoidance system, 5 star safety rating.
3 litre
2005 Subaru Outback 4WD
Multibags, cam chain, ski season is
coming, drives good.
CHeAP tO rUN
2005 Hyundai Getz TB
1400cc, auto, multibags, cheap
transport, goes good.
6 litre V8
2007 Holden Crewman
V8 SS
6 litre, LS2 Gen 4, auto, multibags,
sounds and goes good.
FROM NO
FROM NO
FROM NO
FROM NO
DEPOSIT NOW $7,990 DEPOSIT NOW $16,990 DEPOSIT NOW $11,990 DEPOSIT NOW $7,990
3 litre
Toyota Hi Ace Jumbo Mini Van
Diesel/turbo (12 seats), 5 speed.
FROM NO
DEPOSIT
NOW $6,990
lOw 76,000kms
2006 Peugeot 206 Sport
Multibags, NZ new, 1600cc auto, full
moon glass roof, very nice.
8 seAter
2008 Nissan Serena Coach
2 litre, auto, twin sliding doors,
1 owner.
lOw 119,000kms
2013 Sanyong Actyon Sport
2WD, 2 litre, diesel/turbo, ABS
multibags, leather. electric seats,
drives great.
lOw 63,000km's
2005 Mercedes SLK 280
3 litre auto, electric roof, ABS, CD, low
km's leather, reversing camera.
eleCtriC CONVertible
2001 Audi TT
1800cc, 5 speed, multi bags, goes
grouse, low 100,000kms, leather.
biG 22 iNCH wHeels
2003 Holden Commodore
3800cc, auto, 176,000kms, multibags,
viewing will impress.