Ahora Nismo: The 2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The 2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo.

It having been a few decades, there are only a handful of phrases from high school Spanish that I remember off the top of my head.  One is "ahora mismo", which means "right now".  And thus, the headline of this review...because when you put your right foot down on the accelerator pedal of the 2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo, things happen right now.

2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo.

Mind you, a stock 370Z is no slouch, the 3.7-liter V6 having been pumped up in recent years to 332 horsepower.  The Nismo is only 18 horses more, at 350, but the athleticism of the entire Nismo package means you can put that power to use much more effectively.

$45,490 is the price of admission for the 370Z Nismo, and it brings a six-speed manual transmission with synchrorev match, a viscous limited-slip differential, front and rear stabilizer bars, Nissan sport brakes, high-rigidity brake hoses with R35 Special II fluid, speed-sensitive power steering, a Nismo-tuned engine underneath a Nismo Signature red engine cover, Nismo-tuned exaust with polished tips, Nismo-tuned suspension, a Nismo 3-point front strut tower brace, front and rear vibration performance dampers, Nismo 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels, Recaro leather-appointed seats with Alcantara inserts, an Alcantara and leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Nismo leather-wrapped shift knob, Nismo signature red stitching throughout the interior, a Nismo red tachometer, and Nismo aerodynamic body design kit, with a special front and rear fasica, body side sills and rear spoiler.

The sound from the exhaust is glorious.  The thrust when you mash the throttle is remarkable.  The cornering and handling abilities are impressive.  The Nismo is a track day special, based off a car (the base 370Z) that has so many of the right attributes baked in.

2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo interior.

But unlike so many track cars, the Nismo makes a perfectly fine daily driver.  Nissan wisely kept comfort and convenience as part of the mix.  The Recaros may be the best seats I've ever sat in (and that's driving 100 cars a year for the past 18 years).  The climate control is flawless, the satnav is readable and useful and the 8-speaker audio system with two subwoofers has enough power to overwhelm the booming exhaust and ever-present tire noise.

With all the standard equipment, the only option on our tester was $125 for Nismo carpeted floor mats. So, with $810 destination charges, the bottom line comes to $46,425.  A reasonable price for this level of performance and refinement, which, by the way, comes with very little penalty in fuel economy.  The EPA rating for the 370Z Nismo is 18 city/26 highway....which is just one mpg less in the city than a stock Z, and identical on the highway.