Nissan on the Roadster to recovery

NISSAN Australia, flushed with demand for its 350Z Coupe, has begun pre-selling the rag-top version, the Nissan 350Z Roadster, in the lead-up to the full launch of the car locally in mid-October.

The Roadster is part of Nissan's plan to use the 350Z model as a product platform on which to re-build its image as it implements, with some success, its recovery from near bankruptcy.

The Roadster will be available in one model with only a choice of transmission and will be sold at a $10,000 price premium over the Coupe.

The 3.5 litre V6-powered six-speed manual Roadster will cost $69,990 and the five-speed automatic version will cost $72,790.

This compares with the Alfa Spyder 3.0-litre V6 at $72,950, the 2.5-litre six-cylinder entry level BMW Z4 at $78,500, the Honda S2000 at $74,590, the Mercedes 3.2-litre V6 SLK at $112,074 and the Porsche Boxster starting at $108,500 Unlike the 350Z Coupe, there will be no Track version of the Roadster. Nissan believes the Roadster appeals to a different, more image-conscious buyer than Track owners who are more interested in outright performance.

So far Track has accounted for 52 per cent of 350Z sales in Australia, which have reached 906 units in the first five months - more than Nissan's local sales arm promised Nissan in Japan it would sell in the first year.

Apart from the open-top motoring, the Roadster shares all the features of the Coupe besides curtain airbags for reasons that are obvious. But front and side airbags are included.

The soft-top itself features a heated glass rear window and is designed to be deployed in about 20 seconds.

Nissan says its designers placed great emphasis on reducing wind noise and buffeting. A tempered glass wind deflector has been placed between the seats to channel wind out and over the cabin, and the Bose Audiopilot sound system self-adjusts to increased wind and road noise with a roof down.

The body has been extensively strengthened to reduce the flexing that comes with the territory when you eliminate the roof structure of a coupe. This structural work results in the Roadster weighing about 80kg (about the weight of an adult) more than the Coupe.

At this point, the car has not been available to drive.

Nissan 350Z price range:
350Z Touring manual $59,990
350Z Touring auto $62,690
350Z Track manual $65,990
350Z Track auto $68,690*
350Z Roadster manual $69,990
350Z Roadster auto $72,790
*Not available until late 2003