2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster Launch

BEFORE THE CURRENT 370Z Coupe's great-grandfather, the 240Z, rocked the sportscar establishment, there existed another sporty Nissan.

Called the Fairlady 2000 in its homeland of Japan and sold elsewhere as the Datsun Sports 2000, the pint-sized sportscar was available only as a roadster and was released with the aim of beating the established European marques in the budget sports segment.

Its low price, track-ready performance and outstanding reliability saw it gain popularity in the USA and Australia. For Nissan, it laid the groundwork for the affordable sportscar revolution that would be launched with the 240Z in 1969.

It was also the direct predecessor of the Z-car line, but since the arrival of the 240Z in the late 1960s there hasn't been a convertible derivative that appeals on all fronts - timeless style, performance and driving experience.

The all-new 370Z Roadster aims to change all that. New levels of comfort and refinement elevate it over the outgoing 350Z Roadster, and improved performance from its 3.7 litre V6, capable RWD drivetrain and stiffened chassis means it's definitely no hairdresser's car.

Like its Datsun-badged ancestor, the new Roadster once again has the Europeans squarely in its sights. However rather than MGs and Triumphs, this time it's the Audi TT, BMW 135i convertible and BMW Z4 sDrive35i that Nissan is targeting.