QUOTE(bop001 @ Mar 8 2009, 07:12 PM) [snapback]1283699408[/snapback]
i agree with u about the front angles.
front bar looks similar to the r35.
and looks like they have ATTEMPTED to put cannards on the front bar and failed.
sooo....how did it handle, dont keep us in suspense
Those triangular pieces on the front bar looked really out of place. Mines make a more aesthetic front bar in my opinion.
The chassis was excellent - it was well planted and very stable - you could dive into a corner carrying what may be considered far too much speed and the front tyres never gave in - under steer was virtually non existent. It really has a great footprint at both ends.
The Subaru on the other hand gives a lot in understeer when thrown into a corner but it's progressive, you can literally feel the point where the front is starting to find grip and then you can mash the throttle and blast out of the bend - you drive the STi with it's nose.
With traction control turned on inside the 370 Z S-Tune, there was a noticeable intrusion from the computers on acceleration and cornering which to me seemed overly intrusive but with more than 330hp on tap, and this being a one off, it was probably safer to leave it on.
I could feel the computer checking my every movement - it cut fuel and spark when i applied to much throttle and adjusted the cars dynamics when it thought I was too far out of angle for its liking.
Acceleration was underwhelming. It seemed a little breathless at low revs but did give a powerful surge between 3000 and 5000, at which point, the engine picks up an understated rasping growl all the way to the 7500ropm redline.
If this car had 330hp, it certainly didn't feel like it did except for the meaty surge of power in the middle of the power band. For an N/A is was adequate but could use more low down grunt. No doubt there are fan-boys and tech-heads working on a snail to fit to the manifold.
From a standard start and with the 370's traction control off, it will get to 100 in around 5.5 seconds but is completely hosed by the Sti, which when launched, pulls 2 car lengths within a second or two. The 370 suffers from wheelspin, with the wide rear tyres struggling a little for grip while the Subaru, lifts hard from all four corners, pulling a 4.9 second 0-100.
The 370 claws back ground once it is rolling - 3rd and 4th gear between 100 and 140 are good zones for the Z, the midrange torque of the 3.7 liter VQ37 pulling the 2.5 Forester EJ25T back a bit which is losing ground having to scramble through gears and a lack of power at the top of the rev range.
This brings me to the gearbox which, on the Z has incredibly long gears. It seems to take forever to get through 2nd and then again in 3rd. We all agreed it needs shorter 2nd and 3rd gearing. Shift throw is beautiful, short and precise, not a snick in ear shot and the billet aluminium gear stick is a nice touch.
Brakes wise, the 370Z is a bit of a let down. To be fair, the majority of it's failings here could be put down to brake fluid that has a lower boiling temperature than it needs but that doesn't really matter when your going for a bend and find yourself pushing your right ( or left ) foot in towards the firewall...
The brakes are big Nissan badged aluminum 4 pot Brembo mono-block calipers on the front, single pot on the rear. Ventilated discs all round complete the package. Nismo has added S-Tune pads to the mix which, although great for stopping power and have a high resistance to fade, need to be combined with better fluids and braided lines.
Compared to the Nissan, the Subaru has much better brakes. I experienced a mildy spongy pedal after 4 hard runs up and down hill, while the pedal in the Nissan was to the floor and that with relatively the same brake package. The Brembo's on the Subaru though are a slightly better caliper than those on the 370Z but the Subaru is carrying used, standard pads!
