Driving the Nissan Z was incredibly fun.
Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider
Nissan really delivered in terms of driving behavior.
On a winding road, the car, equipped with Bridgestone Potenza tires, mastered the curves with the confidence expected from a world-class sports car.
Although it is heavier than its predecessors, the 350Z and 370Z, it felt noticeably lighter on its feet and more balanced.
The Zs I used to drive felt more like powerful Japanese muscle cars than actual sports cars. They were monsters in a straight line, but they felt heavy and unstable in the corners.
They also offered a surprisingly comfortable ride, handling bumpy roads and small potholes with ease, which is unusual for a car with low-profile tires and a sport-tuned suspension.
Even though it is now lighter in the corners, it has lost none of its performance on straight roads.
The Z’s VR30 engine pulls off the line like a furious draft horse, with no hint of turbo lag, and quickly accelerates 3,500 cars to highway speeds.
The twin-turbo V6 has a torque curve that peaks at 470 Nm at just 1,600 rpm and remains constant through 5,600 rpm. Combined with a launch control system that allows you to change gears without lifting your foot off the throttle, the Z’s throttle response delivers smooth, uninterrupted power and acceleration.
According to Motor Trend, the Nissan Z Performance with manual transmission can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.
Unfortunately (for us sports car purists) this time will probably pass a little faster with the automatic.
My only criticism of the driving experience was the unsatisfying engine sound, which lacked the high crescendo of a high-revving four-cylinder or the deep growl of a V8. It just sounded like a dull and listless drone.
