We drove the Z Roadster one stormy afternoon in Atlanta, but even in the stop-and-go traffic and hit-or-miss thunderstorms, we could tell that the good stuff that goes into the coupe survives nearly intact from the cranial surgery. Nissan says it's because their engineers spent a lot of time penning the original shape with a convertible conversion in mind-and then, a lot of time in the delicate work that makes the Roadster appear different from the hatchback. It helps that the Roadster also gets a V-shaped support brace under its floorpan, and an A-shaped cross brace under the hood.
The top mechanism is straightforward and simple-no articulating hardtop, 17-hydraulic-motor nonsense here. Press a button inside and the top descends in less than 20 seconds and hides under a clean tonneau cover that smooths out the Z's silhouette. Top up, it isn't the most handsome profile in the world, but it's a rare convertible that looks good that way, anyway, and it does have a glass window that bums in awe can clean at stoplights. A wind deflector between the seats smooths out the airflow, making it possible to ride shotgun with a buddy and St. Anger and still hear both of them.
The powertrain's a carryover from the 350Z, but that's almost an insult to the 3.5-liter V-6. Its 287 hp and, as we drove it, five-speed automatic make great noise together, deliver perfect torque when you need to leave an appealing impression on the honey in the Neon behind you, and cruises along at Interstate speeds with the loafing ease of the starship Enterprise. We'll bet it's better yet with the six-speed manual rower.
When you're ready to step into your own, you'll have to choose between the 350Z Roadster Enthusiast and the Touring model. The Enthusiast gets standard power seats, power-operated soft top, rear wind deflector, 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, automatic climate control. in this model you have a choice of a five-speed automatic for $33,850 or a six-speed manual transmission for $34,82). The Touring adds on a Bose stereo with a six-disc CD changer and seven speakers, leather heated seats, heated mirrors, and side-impact airbags. This one costs $36,220 for a manual car and $37,190 for the autobox. Add-ons include six-spoke, 18-inch wheels and a DVD/navi system on the Touring Model.
Honda's Latest Inspire-ation: Future Braking
Honda says it's going to be the latest company to predict the future--the near future, as in when your car is about to slam into an obstacle. Honda says its Japanese-market Inspire (think Acura TSX in size) is getting a new computerized braking system that senses impending crashes and responds by applying the brakes and tightening seat belts. They're calling the setup, which is like new systems from Mercedes-Benz, a "collision mitigation brake system," not a "prevention" system, meaning that Japanese lawyers probably had a say in the process, you think? By the way, at the same press conference where he showed off the braking system, Honda president Hiroyuki Yoshino said American car companies have one option in beating back the growing tide of imports in the U.S.: "They should try harder."