Nissan shows Almera - 370Z connection at 2021 Trans Sport Show
Kindred cars that inspire innovation and excitement
Two totally different cars that couldn’t be more connected at the ball joints than brothers from the same mother, this is the all-new Almera and the 370Z NISMO from Nissan.
While these models are exactly 10 years apart – the 370Z was launched in 2009 while the 4th-gen Almera came out in 2019 – both were brainchildren of Nissan Japan’s acclaimed R&D department and both took learnings and inspiration from the automaker’s 52-year Z heritage.
For the uninitiated, Z heritage traces its roots all the way back to car zero, the Fairlady Z that first came out in 1969. It was such an example of performance, sophistication, and beauty that it took the automotive industry by storm and sold 550,000 units in just nine years.
Body designs are totally distinct from one another and that’s dictated by function and the market it serves, but there’s no denying the fact that they share the same DNA.
The Almera has expressive lines along the sides of the long hood, slim LED reflector-type headlamps (with daytime running lamps), and a modern adaptation of the chrome V-motion grille. It sits on 16” N-Sport design alloy wheels and uses 205/55 R16 tires.
Nissan’s 370Z is a little long in the tooth design-wise, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of style. This shape will never get old. The wide façade, the way it squats close to the ground, the fastback silhouette, and of course, the NISMO trimmings with the 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels with the NISMO two-tone finish and Dunlop Sport Maxx tires do the nameplate proud.
Both bodies are carved for aerodynamic efficiency, from the hood to the rake of the front glass, all the way to how it tapers to the rear so that it cuts through air resistance with ease and delivers a smooth drive.
In the Almera is an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system firing music into six speakers with Apple CarPlay connectivity. It has a flat-bottom, multifunction (audio, telephone, multi-info display, and even voice recognition) steering wheel, single-zone automatic air-conditioning system, three USB ports, and a 12v outlet. Body-hugging seats are manually adjustable and come in black leather with gray trim.
NISMO flavor gives the 370Z cabin some flair. The black with red accent color combo matches all the branded, equipment including the red tachometer, steering with the centerline indicator and Alcantara trim, and the Recaro seats with Alcantara inserts. On the off-chance you prefer music over exhaust notes, it comes with a Bose 8-Speaker Audio System with a subwoofer.
Powering the Almera is a 1.0L three-cylinder, multi-point injected, Euro 4 turbo engine with Start/Stop technology. It sends 100 PS and 152 Nm of torque to the front wheels via an XTRONIC continuously variable transmission (CVT). Limber and light, power delivery is spread out evenly throughout the rev range and it handles as gracefully as it looks.
Under the hood of the 370Z NISMO is a naturally-aspirated 3.7 V6 with 344 PS and 371 Nm of torque. It is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Engineers gave it a 55 front / 45 rear static ratio so the weight distribution shifts rearward and balances itself out at 50/50 for better grip, acceleration, and overall pace. It goes from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and uses Nissan sport brakes (by Akebono) to come to a grinding halt.
When it comes to safety, the Almera has Nissan Intelligent Mobility that includes Intelligent Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Hill Start Assist, Blind Spot Warning, and even Rear Cross Traffic Alert; not to mention Vehicle Dynamic Control now comes standard on all Almeras. For added peace of mind, the all-new Almera also comes with a 5-Year (150,000 km) warranty.
In the 370Z NISMO are SRS driver, passenger, side and side curtain airbags; Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), and Traction Control System (TCS).
Equally sporty (in their own right), these nameplates create a mutually beneficial relationship with motorists who seek an engaging and responsive drive so that every single second behind the wheel is time well spent.
Externally different but intrinsically the same, the Almera and the 370Z NISMO embody the automaker’s new slogan ‘Innovation that excites’ so no matter the segment and the budget, these Nissans are sure to make you enthused to drive any day of the week.
To know more, visit https://www.nissan.ph/vehicles/new/almera.html or https://www.nissan.ph/vehicles/new/370Z.html.