2009 Nissan Limited Edition 370Z 40th Anniversary Model

Nissan Celebrating Four Decades of Leadership In Sports New Car, Limited Edition 370Z “40th Anniversary” Model Forty Years After the debut of the original Datsun 240Z, the Iconic Z To Take Imagination and Passion Sports Car Enthusiasts Worldwide

Franklin, Tenn. (October 15, 2009) – anniversary of the 25 silver, 50 were gold. And the 40? Other precious metals, or rather metal, rubber and glass – Nissan Z. Forty years ago, on October 22, 1969, Datsun 240Z arrived in North America, heralding a new era in sports car design.

Where previous sports car, especially a.) imported from England or Germany b) expensive c) brittle or unreliable, or d.) all of the above, new imports from Japan offers Porsche performance, which was of a Jaguar and price and reliability, well, a Nissan. The 240Z is a revelation to the automotive world – an affordable sports car that can be driven every day and can be accessed by anyone with basic price of $ 3626.


And although the new Z price may have changed slightly in the past 40 years, with unparalleled value, style, performance and leadership segments remains stronger than ever. To celebrate, Nissan has created a special, limited production version of the current 2010 Nissan 370Z coupe, the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. This will be available at select Nissan dealers nationally in early spring 2010.

“Throughout the history of cars, a handful of rare cars stand apart as a vehicle that not only captures the imagination of the world but also contains the essence of the brand of car, techniques and ideals. Z just like a vehicle,” said Al Castignetti, Vice President and general manager, Nissan Division , Nissan North America, Inc.

Changing Times – It is literally when the original Datsun 240Z debuted as a 1970 model year, the design and performance are considered state-of-the-art 150-horsepower 2.4-liter single overhead cam inline 6-cylinder, 4-wheel independent suspension, 14 — inch wheels, a choice of 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission, and a quarter-mile acceleration time 84.5 seconds at 17.1 miles per hour. The 240Z is understood as a closed coupe body, not a typical open-top sports car of age, to increase body rigidity and, therefore, handling and increase durability.

Needless to say, a lot has changed. Today the definition of state-of-the-art, as disclosed in the sixth generation Nissan 370Z, including the 332-horsepower 3.7-liter dual overhead cam V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift), lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension with extensive use of aluminum components, available 19-inch super lightweight forged alloy wheels, option 6-speed manual transmission with innovative SynchroRev Match or enhanced 7-speed automatic and independent quarter-mile acceleration time 13.5 seconds at 106.6 miles per hour . And today, recently introduced the 370Z Roadster – with automatic operation, fully lined fabric top, offers a similar body stiffness and performance as a rock-solid 370Z Coupe.

Also, where the 240Z offers a lot of what is considered “luxury” in a sports car – including the roll-up windows and radio, today‘s 370Z is offered with items such as Nissan’s Intelligent Key with Push Button Start, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, XM Satellite radio and Nissan’s Advanced Hard Drive Navigation System with touch screen, XM NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information and NavWeather (XM subscription required, sold separately), the Zagat restaurant guide, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback, and the castle USB connectivity to your iPod.

About Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition 40th Anniversary Edition 370Z started out as a 370Z Coupe Touring model is equipped with manual transmission and the Sport Package (including SynchroRev Match, front chin spoiler, rear spoiler, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum-alloy wheels and viscous limited-slip differential) and add premium “40 Quartz” exterior color and red leather-appointed interior.

Additional equipment includes exclusive high luster finish smoke wheels, red brake calipers and the 40th Anniversary badge on the rear hatch and front buffer tower brace. Inside, along with red leather-appointed seats red door panel inserts, 40th Anniversary seatback and floormat embroidery, sewing the red in the center stack, shift boots and kneepads, soft leather steering wheel with red stitching and a plaque of authenticity. Each 40th Anniversary Z also comes with a premium car warning satin cover.

The price of the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition will be announced closer to the date of the sale next spring. A Brief History: Six Generation of the Z travel of the original 240Z current 370Z, of course, made some interesting stops along the last 40 years. Interestingly, the 240Z will probably not travel to America in the first place, if not for the efforts of one man.

Although many, many people responsible for design and engineering of the first generation 240Z, its success in North America can be associated with Yutaka Katayama, who the U.S. president at Nissan’s operations. Honey is known as “Mr. K,” he was convinced that the company’s new sports car design will be a hit in the U.S. There’s only one problem – the vehicle’s name: Fairlady Z (which is still used in the Japanese market today).

With the change of name for this market for the “240Z” and some aggressive marketing, including early success motorsports, Z direct hit – bringing the attention and buyers not only to Z, but also for the entire brand.

After watching the growth of Nissan in the United States in the 70s, Katayama returned to Japan and remain, to this day, associated with the Z’s success here and throughout the world. On September 15, 2009, Mr K celebrates 100th birthday and received cards and birthday greetings from Z lovers everywhere.

In 1974, as an engine displacement increase to 2.6 liters of name changed to 260Z. The 2 +2 model with a long roofline and small rear seats also appear. In 1975, engine size increased again to 2.8 liters and its name changed to 280Z. Z cars continued to dominate on the racetrack, with Pete Brock, John Morton, Bob Sharp and PL (Paul) Newman of the many talented drivers.

Z sales continue to rise with the introduction in 1979, the new second generation 280ZX. Now the price below $ 10,000, which 280ZX named Motor Trend “Import Car of the Year” and through the sale of 86,000 units. T-top and a turbocharged engine followed in the early ’80s.

In 1984, Z engine displacement increased again, with a 3.0-liter V6 replaces the classical Z inline-6, and the 300ZX was born. Also, the company completed a special model to celebrate the 50th anniversary and with the price of $ 25,999 was introduced. Z in 1984 is the best-selling sports car in America.

The next breakthrough in the history of Z came in 1990 with the arrival of a truly redesigned, fourth-generation 300ZX. Offered in two-seat and four chairs 2 +2 model, it offers too much from the 222 horsepower and a top speed of 150 mph. A few months later, followed 300ZX Turbo – with 300 horsepower, a 160-mph top speed and $ 33,000 price tag.

1990 300ZX capture both Z Motor Trend “Import Car of the Year” award, along with a spot on Car and Driver and Road & Track “10 Best” list. The 300ZX was also arrested Automobile’s “Design of the Year” and the first of four “All-Stars” award.

In the mid ’90s, however, sports car sales are generally slow and Z has lost its “affordable” sports car position. With Z sales dropped sharply and the core “value” positioning is no longer part of the “Z DNA,” Z in the U.S. sales and sales slumped to stop following the 1996 model year. Last 300ZX imported into the United States was appointed to the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.

The next chapter of the history of Z came just before the end of this century. In 1999, Nissan and Renault to form what has become a very successful Renault-Nissan Alliance.

Mr. Carlos Ghosn was commissioned by Renault to lead the new management team. Among his first tasks is not only to see the business aspects, but to find the “soul” of the company. In interview after interview, people inside and outside the company raised a model for him, one letter: Z.

Development of new Z that began last year, with a return to the original values 240Z – a car that sports car fans will be hoping to drive day-to-day; fast, inspiration and affordable.

In the summer of 2002, Z was reborn in 2003 with the introduction of the 350Z. Was delivered, as promised, with a MSRP under $ 30,000.

Following the success of the 350Z is unprecedented, the sixth-generation Z, 2009 370Z was launched last December. Now a small sports car that could come full circle with the announcement 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition.

“It’s almost inconceivable that there has been 40 years since the beginning of Nissan 240Z change direction and the concept of affordable sports cars everyday,” said Castignetti. “In one year, 1969, marked by the first person to walk on the moon, the first step 240Z to make extraordinary self. Happy anniversary, Z.”