At the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan unveiled a new concept co-developed with tuner Nismo, though at the present, the 370Z Nismo Roadster Concept still represents a “performance study,” or a concept launched mainly to gauge customer interest ahead of a potential production release.
Compared to the standard 370Z Roadster, the 370Z Nismo Roadster Concept is a bit more powerful, coming with a 3.7-liter V6 engine rated at 350 horsepower and sporty suspension courtesy of Nismo. The car also sports some aerodynamic features, plus a customized carbon fiber rear spoiler, black bezels around the headlights, LED daytime running lights, and Nismo accents and emblems. The car’s interior features include black Recaro seats with leather stitching and off-white Ultrasuede inserts, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and accents, and fixed headrest bars.
Speaking at the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan Sales and Marketing and Operations U.S. senior vice president Fred Diaz said that the 370Z Nismo Roadster Concept has “potential as a production model,” even if it was unveiled with the purpose of testing customer response. “We’ve injected all the performance equipment from a 370Z Nismo Coupe,” Diaz added. “Inside, since the interior is on display whenever the top is down, it features the full Nismo treatment, as well as a few special custom touches.”