The Nissan 370Z  - one of the top cars that dominates both road and track according to AutoTrader

Almost as soon as cars were invented, people were racing them -- the same way they raced horses, and the same way they raced on foot. The Encyclopedia Britannica states that the first organized motor race in the United States was on Thanksgiving Day, 1895, running from Chicago to Evanston, IL, and back. Not only are motorsports a whole lot of fun, they also improve automotive technology and drum up sales. AutoTrader lists the Nissan 370Z  as one of the cars that owes at least part of their fine reputations to the laudable human trait of wanting to do better than the next guy.

“Most drivers try not to move their cars sideways. But in the sport of drifting, sideways is the only way to go. Big, tire-smoking power slides from one end of the course to the other -- it's a fabulous spectacle. Formula Drift is an import from Japan, and perhaps unsurprisingly, many of the participating cars are also Japanese imports. The current 2014 Formula Drift leader is American Chris Forsberg, driving a Nissan 370Z. It's perfect for drifting, because it has a front-engine/rear-drive layout resulting in a fine balance of weight between the front and back. A carbon fiber drive shaft transmits engine power to the rear wheels, meaning it gets lighter weight and quicker responses than it would with a regular metal shaft.”

Do you have a need for speed? The Nissan 370Z is available at all 7 Mossy Nissan locations.

Find yours today!

Credit:

http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/best-cars/227332/9-cars-that-dominate-both-street-and-track.jsp

Nissan Z Takeover: San Diego

Hundreds of Nissan Zs took over the streets of San Diego last weekend for the 27th Annual ZCON. With more eye candy than a sweets shop, here are some of the best shots from the show.

WANNA JOIN THE FUN? GET YOUR OWN Z NOW!

THE KING OF DRIFT

DUBAI (Aug. 14, 2014) - GT Academy Middle East judge Abdo Feghali - aka Dado, aka King of Drift - shows the new international recruits how to boss an epic drift in a 370Z.

DUBAI – GT Academy Middle East judge Abdo Feghali – aka Dado, aka King of Drift – shows the new international recruits how to boss an epic drift in a 370Z.

Salman Al Khater won the first GT Academy Middle East competition in 2012. He has won an international endurance race and, along with Ashley Oldfield and Tomas Scheckter, took a class win at the Britcar 1000kms at Silverstone.

"GT Academy is getting huge international interest," said Nissan's Director of Global Morosports, Darren Cox. "We know that there are gamers outside of the traditional GT Academy territories that want a shot at winning. Nissan is an international company with global ambitions, and it's exciting that GT Academy reflects that."

More in GT Academy Middle East 2014: http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/the-king-of-drift-at-gt-academy-finals-middle-east

Hop in your Nissan and get on the road with our top 5 San Diego Road Trips:

NISMO Global Debut

FONTANA DAM, North Carolina - There was a surprise "guest" today at ZDAYZ, the annual gathering of hundreds of Nissan, Datsun and NISMO owners and enthusiasts - the world debut of the new 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO. A solid progress for 2015, the new 370Z NISMO model features exterior, interior and performance refinements, along with an expanded model selection that includes both 6-speed manual and 7-speed automatic transmissions and a new 370Z NISMO Tech grade.

"NISMO is the heart and soul of Nissan performance, both for the track and on the street, so it's fitting that we are showing the dramatic new 2015 370Z NISMO for the first time at a gathering of our most loyal and enthusiast owners," said Nissan Chief Planning Officer and Executive Vice President Andy Palmer. "The new 370Z NISMO joins the recently introduced Nissan GT-R NISMO and Nissan JUKE NISMO RS, giving performance fans a range of fresh, factory tuned NISMO models to enjoy."

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO

The most striking change for the 2015 370Z NISMO is its revised exterior design. Its GT-R-inspired functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces have been redesigned to provide an aggressive and more aerodynamic new appearance - as well as optimizing front and rear downforce. Key changes include a new, deep front fascia with LED Hyper Daytime Running Lights, black headlight bezels, NISMO emblem and signature NISMO red stripe accent on the integrated front chin spoiler. The red accent continues down the redesigned side sills, on the black-color sideview mirrors and across the lower portion of the redesigned rear fascia. The unique NISMO rear spoiler has been reshaped and downsized.

The standard 19-inch NISMO super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels by RAYS also have been restyled for 2015 with a twin-five spoke design and a charcoal gray machine-finish (formerly silver).

Inside, the unique NISMO-styled interior is enhanced with redesigned black-and-red Recaro® leather-appointed seats with Alcantara® accents. The new seats, co-developed with Recaro®, are exclusively designed for the 370Z NISMO to provide more uniform body pressure and better all-direction holding during spirited acceleration, braking and cornering. They also play a key role in providing driving excitement by maximizing the harmony between driver and machine. The interior also features red seat trim and stitching with NISMO logo, an Alcantara®-appointed leather-wrapped steering wheel and NISMO red tachometer.

Also new for 2015 is the 370Z NISMO Tech model, which adds a hard drive-based Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch VGA touch-sensitive display, RearView Monitor, Bose® Audio System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, auto-dimming rearview mirror and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver.

As in previous years, the 2015 370Z NISMO is powered by a potent 350-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The engine is matched with an exclusive, tuned H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and  an optimized calibration is installed to help create 18 horsepower more than a standard 370Z Coupe. Torque is rated at 276 lb-ft.

Two transmission choices are offered for the first time on the Z NISMO model. The close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission features standard SynchroRev Match®, the world's first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission, which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting. Newly available is a refined 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with paddle shifters.

The 370Z NISMO also features a refined 4-wheel independent suspension, NISMO-branded strut tower brace for enhanced body rigidity and a pair of performance dampers to help minimize road-input vibrations and help contribute to the NISMO 370Z's high levels of handling and performance feel. The NISMO tuned suspension includes special springs and stabilizer bars. Large Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) - with a shorter final drive ratio for better acceleration feel - are also standard on the 2015 370Z NISMO.

The 2015 370Z NISMO is offered in just four exterior colors – Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White. It is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2014.

"There's much more to love about the 370Z NISMO than ever before – the new appearance inside and out, enhanced handling, new wheels, more technology and a choice of transmissions," added Palmer. "Our fans here at ZDAYZ want only the best and that's what this new 370Z NISMO delivers."

credit:

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/channels/us-united-states-nissan-nismo/releases/a-special-global-nismo-debut

The 2014 Nissan 370Z Coupe

A DESIGN MORE THAN 40 YEARS IN THE MAKING

It's a living legend. With the emphasis on living. The iconic lines, low center of gravity, wide track, and short wheelbase give it that unmistakable, instantly recognizable profile.

DRIVER OBSESSED COCKPIT

The 370Z® employs a three-layer design philosophy that makes you feel completely connected the instant you sit down.

STORAGE FOR THE REAL WORLD

Trunk Space

The rear cargo area offers plenty of open space for the important things in lif - like golf clubs. An available retractable cargo cover helps keep things out of sight. Inside the cabin, clever built-in storage means everything has a place, and a hidden compartment behind the passenger's seat helps conceal valuables.

IT'S NOT A CAR, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE

332-hp 3.7-L V6.

The 370Z® is powered by a 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. The engine features Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL®) technology that continuously tunes valve timing for quicker response and optimal fuel efficiency. All this engineering may sound intriguing on paper, but the exhilaration from idle to the 7,500-rpm redline is pure magic.

MAY THE G-FORCE BE WITH YOU

Handling & Brakes

A low center of gravity and a wide stance give it ultra-responsive handling and enhanced cornering. The relatively short wheelbase and overall length of the 370Z® make for incredible maneuverability. But you still need to stop, so the most powerful 370Z® Coupe ever has available 14" front rotors and the gripping power of 4-piston front calipers.

Aerodynamics

All 370Z® models feature zero front lift. If you're after even more performance, go with the Sport Package. It includes a lower front chin aero deflector and rear spoiler for zero rear lift.

Smart Engineering

To harness all 332 hp, our engineers improved the design and material composites for key rotating components. The available 19" RAYS® forged alloy wheels are stronger and lighter than typical cast wheels. And the reduced-rotating mass on the lighter, incredibly strong carbon-fiber composite driveshaft helps the engine rev more quickly.

A SHIFT IN CONSCIOUSNESS

SynchroRev Match® Manual Transmission

SynchroRev technology monitors the clutch, shift lever, and vehicle speed so that when you downshift, the system "blips" the throttle to the ideal engine rpm for a supremely smooth downshift. It also works when upshifting to give you seamless acceleration. If you want more traditional performance, you can turn the system off with the touch of a button.

7-speed Automatic Transmission

A 7-speed automatic transmission gives you the best of a manual and an automatic—a wide spread of gearing for heart-pounding acceleration, while still providing improved efficiency and quiet cruising at higher speeds.

350 HP WITH ATTITUDE

Its name is synonymous with passion, expertise, and especially the height of Nissan performance. NISMO® puts it all into everything it builds, from championship-winning racecars and accessories for street cars, to one of the world's most desirable sports cars—370Z® NISMO®. With bumped up power and pumped-up handling, it has transformed into a sports car singularly worthy of being branded NISMO®.

THE SOUND OF PERFORMANCE

Dual Exhaust

A free-flow dual exhaust combined with H-pipe configuration reduces back pressure up to 30%. The result: responsive upper-end power for an exhilarating redline rush and an exhaust note that's pure performance.

SERIOUS POWER

Engine

Combine the Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL®) technology with a free-flowing dual exhaust to reduce back pressure and ultimately increase high-end power. Listen to the deep, mellow rumble turn into an unmistakable battle cry as it revs to its 7,400 RPM redline. Feel the exhilaration of responsive power that proves this 370Z® is truly for the pure performance aficionado.

The Nissan 370Z is available at all 7 Mossy Nissan locations in San Diego.

SHOP for yours today

Credit: http://www.nissanusa.com/sportscars/z-coupe/features 

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