There’s something about sports cars that really gets my motor revving, it could be the power, performance or simply because I look much cooler than I am behind the wheel.
Whatever the reason, when you’re driving a car that demands attention you usually get it.
When you watch The Italian Job, you want to drive a Mini. When you watch James Bond, you want to drive an Aston Martin. When you watch Batman, you want to drive the Batmobile … but, you don’t need to watch Fast and Furious Five to want to get behind the wheel of the Nissan 370 Z.
It’s a brawny and seductive- looking model that turns heads wherever it goes, with good reason. It boasts an aggressive-looking front end, which is complimented by flowing lines across the bonnet and it’s well-rounded rear is just as impressive thanks to twin exhausts.
The interior is also worth bragging about. The cockpit is well laid-out and there’s ample room for the driver and passenger in this swanky two-seater. The modest shelf behind the seats leaves just enough room to store a laptop but there’s definitely no room for rear passengers.
The finishes inside the 370 Z are fantastic. The seats in the model I drove were a combination of leather and suede and were so supportive and comfortable it felt like I was being hugged.
There is also a touch-screen display in the centre stack, which relays various infotainment options including Bluetooth, satellite navigation and radio/CD/MP3 displays.
One of the best features of the model I drove was the eight speaker BOSE sound system, which delivers crystal clear sound quality at deafening volume … sorry to all the drivers in Juffair last week who don’t like Metallica as much as I do!
As impressive as the design and infotainment is, it’s what’s under the bonnet that matters most and this model is something special.
The 3.7-litre, 328bhp engine paired with a 7-speed automatic gearbox (with manual shift mode) is, in a word, awesome.
The pleasure of driving this model starts from the second you turn on the engine and it begins to purr majestically.
Once I hit the highway the 370 Z came into its own and, thanks to the low centre of gravity, it held the road well.
What I liked most about the drive was the acceleration and the surge in power with even the slightest tap of the pedal. This is a race car, through-and-through, but it differs from models I’ve driven in the past because it’s designed for drifting.
Drifting is a driving technique where the driver intentionally over-steers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels, while maintaining control from entry to exit of a corner.
This took some getting used to; especially while driving at speed, but for the young petrol-heads on the island I believe this feature will be a welcome one. Bahrain International Circuit hosts several events.
Thanks to the tiptronic gearbox, you can switch to manual driving mode, which is a nice touch for feeling more connected to the drive. I love using paddle shifters to change gear, so much so that I’ve almost forgotten how a clutch works.
If you’re looking for a fast and furious drive, this may be the model for you.
The 370 Z is available in several variants. Prices start from BD13,995.
Contact Y K Almoayyed & Sons on 17732732 for more details.
