NISSAN has resisted the temptation to fit a folding hard top to its iconic rear wheel drive 370Z Roadster, favouring a canvas top for the latest model.
And it looks great as well as offering the pleasures of genuine drop-top motoring for purist customers.
The roadster is not a cobbled-up version of the coupe with heavy additional reinforcements underneath, but was designed and engineered from the outset to be roofless.
That paid dividends on the scales with the manual variant only 55kg heavier and the auto 60kg up on the respective hard top models.
Both are 25kg lighter than the previous 350Z roadster.
Better yet is the fact that roof removal is a one-touch operation with no pesky catches to release before going topless.
The whole operation takes a scant 20 seconds, which means it can comfortably be carried out waiting at the traffic lights without hitting the panic button.
The soft top also take less stowage room than a folding hard-top, leaving the roadster with enough boot space for a set of golf clubs and other sundry items.
The new 370Z Roadster is basically the same as the coupe underneath, sharing underpinnings, transmissions and engine.
It’s powered by a 3.7litre, naturally aspirated, petrol V6 with variable valve timing that’s good for a healthy 345kW/363Nm of rumbly, grumbly output.
It mightn’t be the smoothest or quietest engine around but it certainly propels the 370Z with serious intent.
The engine is matched to a six-speed manual with short gear throws and close ratios or a brilliant, optional seven-speed auto with paddle shift.
The auto is pick of the two even though both have a throttle blip function on downchanges to synchronise engine speed with road speed.
It’s smoother, changes gears in a flash and taps into the engine’s power more efficiently due to the extra cog.
Like the coupe that came out last May, the roadster is highly specified to justify its $75/78 grand price tag.
Standard equipment includes: Nissan’s Intelligent Key with push-button engine start; automatic climate control; two 12-volt power outlets; three cup holders; a six-disc Bose audio system with eight speakers (complete with subwoofer) and MP3/WMA playback; power windows with one-touch auto up/down feature; power door locks, and a Bluetooth hands free phone system is also standard.
Other standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminium-faced pedals, a premium braking system backed up with ABS and a stability control system.
Six airbags are also standard, but the touch screen satnav will be optional, which also brings with it USB and iPod connectivity.
The car’s level of performance can be measured by a low 5.0second 0-100km/h sprint time and a taut chassis that imparts the roadster with a race feel from behind the wheel.
It steers precisely thanks to the short wheelbase, holds the road tightly and has sensational brakes, as expected from the large multi-piston discs.
Helping to make the driving environment more pleasant is a glass wind deflector between the headrests that prevents turbulence and a fully lined roof to cut noise and reduce the effects of hot and cold.
Visibility to the rear with the roof up is improved with a large, fixed glass, heated rear window.