If there was one word to describe the Nissan 350Z, it was 'masculine'.
 
From its pumped-up wheelarches to its sledgehammer 3.5-litre engine, it wasn't what you'd call subtle.
 
And on first glance, there's more of the same from the new-and-improved Nissan 370Z. The same basic shape remains, and there's still a big V6 up front developing more than 300bhp.
 
But drive through a few bends in the new car, and it feels very different.
 
While the 350Z was excellent, it felt like a muscle car; more at home devouring straights with ferocious pace. And although the 370Z is frighteningly quick, it's quickly apparent there's more depth to the new car.
 
The steering feels more direct and linear, and there's more feedback than ever. It’s a car that wants to be driven on the limit; but when you're there, it's far more controllable than the old car. And the importance of a shorter wheelbase and a widened track shouldn't be understated either.
 
But perhaps most significant is a lowered centre of gravity and a 53:47 front:rear weight distribution, which shifts to a perfect 50:50 under hard acceleration.
 
Nissan has made a great deal of the new engine, which at 3.7-litres is 200cc more than the old car, as the names suggest. That sees power increased to 326bhp – up from 305bhp – and pulling power boosted to 270lb/ft. That adds up to a slug more low end power and more torque at the top end, making it even more rewarding to get the rev counter's needle bending to its 7,500rpm redline.
 
Lucky then there's a big set of brakes to haul the speed in. The car employs a variable brake pedal ratio, which adjusts the pedal travel depending on the speed of the car. At low speeds, there's a long travel to modulate the brake force, while at higher speeds, the pedal firms and there's a short travel for increased confidence.
 
Performance (manual/auto):
0-62mph: 5.4/6.1 seconds
Top speed: 155/155 mph
 
For the first time in this shaped Zed, an automatic gearbox is offered. The seven-speed auto is a £1,400 option and features Downshift Rev Matching, which blips the throttle when changing down for smooth shifts. It works well, and the gearshifts are hugely quick.
 
The standard six-speed manual is slick too, and Nissan expects around 70 per cent of buyers to stick with the self-shifter. GT models feature a world first: Synchro Rev Control, which blips the throttle during downshifts to improve stability and control under braking. Think of it like computerised heel and toeing; and it's something few will tire of.
 
Nissan has shed 32kgs from the 370Z, thanks to lighter body materials, which has helped keep fuel consumption and emissions in check. Even so, it's not a cheap car to run; especially when factoring in insurance bills.
 
Running costs (manual/auto):
Fuel consumption: 26.9mpg/27mpg 
CO2 emissions: 249/247g/km
 
Many Nissan 350Z owners are likely to trade up to the 370Z thanks to its new looks. Its new lights and bumpers represent the main changes, but these alone give the car a more contemporary image. Although the tarmac-hugging front bumper became speed hump-scraping on several occasions.
 
The discreet side indicators integrated into the 'Z' logos on the front wings are a wonderful touch.
 
There's a new interior too, which features larger dials and more soft-touch materials which help to raise the perceived quality of the car.
 
The Nissan 370Z looks like it should be an easier car to live with, thanks to a few minor tweaks. The rear strut brace, which made the 235 litre boot all but unusable in the old car, has been removed (replaced by less intrusive structural reinforcements) and a shelf behind the seats makes for a useful storage area. A boot cover means luggage can be hidden, and a locking glovebox will come in handy when Nissan launches a convertible version.
 
Like the old car, road noise is still present, but the boot cover helps to mute it; and while the ride is firm, it's not uncompromisingly stiff.
 
There's a simple model line-up in the Nissan 370Z range: 370Z, GT Pack and GT Ultimate.
 
Nissan 370Z key features:
Keyless entry
Engine start button
Electric seats
Climate control
18-inch alloys
Automatic xenon headlamps
Driver, passenger and curtain airbag
Audio with auxiliary input and Bluetooth telephone integration.
 
The GT Pack adds:
19-inch RAYS alloys
heated suede and leather seats
Six-CD, eight speaker Bose audio upgrade
Cruise control
Speed limiter
Synchro Rev Control
 
The GT Ultimate adds:
Persimmon suede leather trim
European DVD sat-nav, with hands-free facility
 
In fact, Nissan only include three options: the £1,400 auto 'box, sat-nav for £1,450 and metallic paint – featuring Scratch Shield, which repairs light scratches and stone chips itself – for £450.
 
So does the Nissan 370Z represent a car worthy enough to wear the Zed badge?
 
Certainly. And more than that, its taken Nissan's £30k coupe from straight line sledgehammer into genuine sports car territory.
 
It's now an even more compelling rival to the Porsche Cayman