Adding Zing to a Winning formula; Building on the strengths of the 350Z, Nissan's latest sports car ups the power to deliver even greater driving thrills than its legendary predecessors, writes CHRIS RUSSON.

Byline: CHRIS RUSSON

AN ICON among sports cars is blasting back with more power and sharper handling.

Nissan Z cars have become legendary, and the new 370Z is sure to keep delivering the driving thrills.

Available to order now from pounds 26,895 - deliveries start in July - it is a car for the enthusiast as much as the purist.

As performance coups go, the 370Z is almost as correct as a Porsche.

Handling has always been a strong point for Nissan, and the 370Z is true to form - it's delightfully balanced and responsive.

It also has a few tricks up its sleeve, such as an electronic rev control that enables a driver to change down more accurately than a Grand Prix racer - and that's on the six-speed manual.

A seven-speed automatic, complete with rapid-fire paddle shifters and a delightful throttle blip when downshifting, is also available from pounds 31,595.

Powered by a 3.7-litre V6 engine delivering 326bhp, the 370Z outperforms the 350Z it replaces in every department.

At 5.4 seconds for zero to 60, it's 0.3 seconds quicker - and it's more efficient, too.

CO2 emissions are down from 280 to 249g/km, while average fuel consumption improves from 24.1 to 26.9mpg.

Thanks to its clever electronic engine management, the auto is even cleaner at 247g/km.

The new model definitely looks the part, with aggressive but flowing lines and a beautiful profile.

Compared with the 350Z, the wheelbase is shorter by some four inches, which improves stability, while some 2.5 inches have been chopped off the overall length.

Despite this, there's more storage space behind the front seats. There is also 235 litres of room under the tailgate.

The body is stiffer by 30 per cent, but it's also much lighter, which all adds to the car's potential on the road.

The cockpit is proper sports car - two seats with all the controls wrapping around the driver.

Instrumentation is similar to that on the 350Z, and the whole package has a hi-tech feel, especially when sat-nav is fitted. That's a pounds 1450 option on the mid-range GT Pack model or standard on the flagship GT Ultimate.

Leather upholstery on all but the entry-level model and fine trim make the cockpit decidedly posh. But it still has the workman-like feel a good sports car should possess.

The 370Z is based on a platform from Nissan's luxury Infiniti brand and also features that marque's scratch-resistant paint and powerful Bose sound systems.

With near perfect weight distribution - it is set up 53/47 to the front - the 370Z can jink through bends with astonishing precision.

Let it loose and there is a wonderful sound, not to mention sling-shot acceleration.

Electronic stability and a limited slip differential are standard, and so are beefy brakes.

As real sports cars go, this is impressive kit and true to the lineage of Nissan's Z models.

The 370Z is everything a two-seat muscle machine should be and packs plenty of firepower to deliver maximum pleasure.

Factfile:

Model: Nissan 370Z

Engine: 3.7-litre V6 petrol

Power: 326bhp

0-60mph: 5.4 seconds

Fuel economy: 26.9mpg

CO2 emissions: 249g/km

Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles

Price: From pounds 26,895

On sale: Order now