Nissan Fairlady 370Z

Overview

Nissan's successful 350Z coupe was replaced in late 2008 with the 370Z sports car, which enjoyed its world debut at the '08 Los Angeles Auto Show. Starting at $29,930, the 370Z Coupe is about $1,500 more expensive than the 350Z it replaces. The base model comes with a 6-speed manual, while upgrading to a 7-speed automatic brings the total to $31,230.

FEATURES

MECHANICAL

3.7L DOHC SMPI 24-valve V6 engine

Variable valve event and lift (VVEL)

Continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS)

Micro-finished crankshaft & camshaft

Small pitch silent cam chain

Nissan direct ignition system (NDIS)

Drive-by-wire throttle

6-speed manual transmission w/OD

Carbon fiber driveshaft

Rear wheel drive

Double wishbone front suspension

Multi-link rear suspension

Front/rear stabilizer bar

Front strut tower brace w/urethane bushings

Vehicle speed-sensitive pwr rack & pinion steering

Pwr front/rear vented disc brakes

Dual chrome-tipped exhaust tailpipes

EXTERIOR

18" 5-spoke aluminum wheels

P225/50WR18 front/P245/45WR18 rear high-performance tires

Spare tire cover w/wheel wrench, front tow hitch, jack

Aluminum hood

UV-shielded glass

Fender-mounted Z emblems & side markers

Flush-mounted bi-functional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights

Auto on/off headlights

LED taillights

Dual power mirrors

Variable intermittent windshield wipers

INTERIOR

Cloth seat trim

8-way manually adjustable driver seat

4-way manually adjustable passenger seat w/seat back fall down function

Front bucket seats

Active head restraints

Center stack storage box

Aluminum interior accents

(4) cup holders

Leather wrapped tilt steering wheel w/illuminated cruise controls, integrated gauge cluster, audio controls

Driver-side analog gauge cluster -inc: fuel, coolant temp, speedometer, tachometer, trip computer, programmable shift up indicator light

Center-mounted 3-bay gauge cluster -inc: oil pressure, voltmeter, digital clock

Dual trip odometers

Power windows w/one-touch auto up/down, auto reverse, seal-tight feature

Power door locks w/auto-lock

Nissan intelligent key keyless entry/ignition system

Push-button ignition

Vehicle security system

Immobilizer key system

Automatic climate control

Rear window defroster w/timer

Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors & sunvisor extensions

Dual overhead map lights

Leather-wrapped shift knob

Lockable glove box

Storage box behind passenger seat

Passenger storage net

(2) 12V power outlets

SAFETY FEATURES

Tire pressure monitor system

Anti-lock braking system w/brake assist

Electronic brake force distribution

Traction control system

Vehicle dynamic control

Driver & front passenger dual stage airbags w/occupant classification sensor

Side-impact airbags

Curtain side-impact airbags

Active head restraints

Front seat belts w/pretensioners/load limiters

Tether anchor

Energy absorbing steering column

Pipe style side door beams

Front/rear crumple zones

Driver knee bolster

Dual note horn

Mitsubishi Evolution X

First previewed in 2007, the all-new tenth-generation Lancer Evolution was introduced by Mitsubishi for the 2008 model year, continuing the nameplate's tradition of high performance in a small-displacement four-passenger sedan.

The Evolution X is offered in two trim levels. The entry-level GSR is offered with a five-speed manual transmission, Recaro Sport seats and Enkei wheels, as well as optional spoiler, HID headlights, and upgraded sound system.

The upgraded MR includes Mitsubishi's new Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST), Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers, lightweight brake rotors and BBS forged-alloy wheels, and extra sound insulation, as well as optional navigation, upgraded audio with Sirius Satellite reception, and leather seats.

Both trim levels feature the new all-aluminum 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder MIVEC4 motor producing 295 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) drive system.

The S-AWC system, which regulates torque and braking at each wheel includes a bevy of acronyms: ASC (Active Stability Control), ACD (Active Center Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control) and Sport ABS, an ABS system designed for aggressive driving. The biggest difference over the outgoing car is the large number of yaw sensors included in the system, all designed to keep the Evo X on its intended path. The S-AWC system can be set for three different road surfaces: tarmac (standard), ice and gravel

The Twin Clutch SST on the MR appears similar to Audi/VW's DSG system; even and odd gears are on separate clutches for rapid-fire shifting and no torque loss between gears. Shifting of the TC-SST is controlled by alloy paddles on the steering wheel or the gear shift lever when in manual mode, and by the engine computer in automatic mode. The system has three modes: Normal, Sport and S-Sport, the latter providing the most aggressive, fast shifts.

Safety measures include the Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) unibody system to disperse energy in front and side impact collisions and protect the fuel system from rear impact, and front and side impact air bags, plus a driver's knee air bag.

Lexus RX 350

MECHANICAL

3.5L DOHC SFI 24-valve V6 engine -inc: dual variable valve timing w/intelligence (VVT-i)

6-speed sequential-shift automatic electronically controlled transmission -inc: OD, snow mode

Front wheel drive

Independent MacPherson strut front suspension w/coil springs

Independent double wishbone rear suspension w/coil springs

Front/rear stabilizer bars

Pwr rack & pinion steering w/pwr assist

Pwr front ventilated & rear solid disc brakes

Tool kit

EXTERIOR

8" x 7.5" 5-spoke alloy wheels

P235/60R18 tires

Compact spare tire

Integrated rear spoiler

Automatic on/off headlamps w/delay-off feature

Integrated front fog lamps

LED brake lamps

Pwr heated mirrors w/built-in LED turn lamps

Acoustic noise-reducing windshield glass

Water-repellent front door glass

UV ray-reducing window glass

Privacy glass

Variable intermittent windshield wipers

Intermittent rear wiper

Chrome door handles

INTERIOR

Cloth seat trim

10-way pwr front bucket seats -inc: pwr lumbar, adjustable headrests

Driver seat easy exit -inc: auto away/return

Reclining/sliding rear 40/20/40 split fold-down seat -inc: adjustable headrests, 1-touch fold levers

Center console -inc: storage bin, cupholders

Rear center armrest -inc: cupholders, storage box

Cut pile carpeting

Carpeted front/rear floor mats

Pwr tilt/telescoping steering wheel w/audio controls

White LED instrument cluster display -inc: maintenance indicator

Front seat belt warning light

Pwr windows -inc: 1-touch auto up/down, jam protection

Pwr door locks -inc: anti-lockout feature

SmartAccess remote entry system -inc: multi-function remote, remote window down, volume-adjustable confirmation tone, rolling code technology

Lexus personalized settings

HomeLink programmable garage door opener

Pwr fuel door release

Vehicle theft-deterrent & immobilizer system

Automatic dual-zone climate control -inc: dust filter, pollen filter, deodorizing air filter, rear seat heater ducts

Rear window defogger

Wood trim -inc: center console, switch plates, doors

Metallic accents -inc: center instrument panel

Chrome inside door handles

Front door map storage pockets

Dual sun visors -inc: adjustable-illum vanity mirrors, slide extensions

Dual front/rear assist grips

Lighting -inc: LED glove box, center console box, incandescent dome light w/white LED spot lights, incandescent foot lights, door courtesy lights, front cupholders, front/rear map lights, cargo area

Front seatback pockets

Coat hooks

(2) 12V auxiliary pwr outlets -inc: rear of center console box, cargo area

Rear storage compartment under cargo area floor

Auto-retracting tonneau cover

SAFETY

Wheelanti-lock braking system (ABS) -inc: brake assist

Vehicle stability control (VSC) w/cutoff switch

Traction control (TRAC)

Side-impact door beams

Enhanced side-impact protection

Daytime running lights

Dual front advanced airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) -inc: crash severity & occupant detection sensors

Front seat-mounted side-impact airbags

Front/rear side-curtain airbags w/roll sensor

Dual front knee airbags

Dual front seat active headrests w/whiplash protection

3-point front seat belts -inc: pretensioners, force limiters, anchor height adjusters

3-point rear seat belts -inc: pretensioners

All-outboard seating emergency locking retractor (ELR)

Front passenger and rear outboard seating automatic locking retractor (ALR)

Child safety rear door locks

Tire pressure monitoring system

Impact-dissipating upper interior trim

Brake pedal regression prevention

First aid kit