The Nissan Z has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1969 but even in 2012 the 370Z Roadster Touring has not lost the Z feel. In order to pick up this year’s 370Z Roadster, you may have to pay anywhere from $43,500 to $48,000, a much greater price compared to the 1969 240Z that had an MSRP of $3,526. When going to pick up your 370Z convertible (Roadster), you have a choice between the base model and the ‘Touring’ edition which has many upgraded features: 19” RAYS aluminum allow wheels, viscous limited slip differential and Nissan sport brakes. The Touring edition adds an extra $2,830 to the MSRP.

The initial feeling of the 2012 Nissan 370Z Roadster Touring is amazing. “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken” must be a popular term around Nissan because this year’s Z still has that distinct Z body style that has become so popular. The interior also maintains the “Z feeling” with the unique triple gauges and cluster. Of course the Z offers a comfy cab, with heated and cooling ventilated seats that hug you around those sharp corners. Looking behind the Z may prove to be a bit of a problem however, as the rear-view mirror seems to be obstructed by the roll-cages of the head rests and the head rests themselves. If this problem irks you, there is no need to fret as the 370Z Roadster has a $785 option for a rear-view backup camera which is displayed on the rear-view mirror. Nissan implemented this feature very well as the screen on the mirror is seemingly invisible when not in use but when in reverse it is very crisp and clear.

Driving the 370Z Roadster Touring is a treat as well. From the unique exhaust note to the handling, the 370Z is sure to keep its driver white-knuckled. With added weight, width and improved rigidity, the 2012 370Z Roadster Touring handles very well for a convertible offering very little body roll around the corner. Of course if you would like to slide around those corners, it’s just a push of a button right next to the steering wheel. Not only is the handling exceptional, but what’s under the hood is surprising as well. Powered by a 332 HP V-6 that pumps out 270 lb-ft of torque, the 2012 370Z Roadster Touring packs a mean punch.

This year’s 370Z convertible offers only a few minor changes compared to last year with an additional 139lbs and the wheelbase being 4 inches shorter. Also the 2012 370Z Roadster is .2 inches wider.

Driving this car may be a treat but the interior may seem a bit cramped to some people as the cluster is very close to the steering wheel and is hard to read at times when driving. Some of the buttons in the car were hard to find, while others were neatly places. It seems as though the pro’s of this car outweigh the con’s, making this car a very nice iteration of the Z model.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Forget about Disney World! If we won the Super Bowl, we would splurge on a highly tuned Nissan GT-R, too. And, that is just what New York Giants Running Back Brandon Jacobs did. With Super Bowl XLVI now over, Jacobs is ready to get behind the wheel of his 900-hp AMS-modified GT-R. As you may have already guessed, Jacobs is more into gut-wrenching performance than snazzy rims or a matte-black wrap.

That is why he headed to the extreme tuners out of Chicago, Illinois, last summer with the intention of making his already modified 850-hp GT-R even faster.



AMS Performance upgraded nearly every component of Jacobs’s GT-R, which features an Alpha 3.8-liter race engine, Alpha induction system, AMS intercooler, new exhaust, and a more-powerful fuel delivery system. It also upgraded the transmission and turbos. The result is 900 hp on 93-octane pump gas and an outrageous 1,000 hp on 105-octane race fuel!



Jacobs took delivery of his AMS Alpha 9+ R35 Nissan GT-R a week prior to the New York Giants and the New England Patriots faceoff on Sunday, February 5, 2012, in Super Bowl XLVI. Now, he has a Super Bowl championship ring and a crazy-fast GT-R as his rewards for an outstanding season; we can’t think of anything better!

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

While it is not the hardcore Track Pack we were hoping to get (that goes to Japan to replace the SpecV), Nissan has released some changes to the GT-R for the 2013 model year. Like the upgrades made for 2012, the 2013 model will benefit from a number of engine and suspension refinements to increase its already stellar performance.

Some reworked intake and exhaust tubing results in 15 more hp than the 2012 model for a total of 545. Torque is also up to 463 lb-ft, also an increase of 15. In addition, the suspension has been retuned. Other enhancements include the addition of a new blue lighting treatment inside the tachometer and a rear-view camera as standard. A carbon spoiler has also been added to the Nissan GT-R Black Edition model.

The 2013 Nissan GT-R is offered in Premium and Black Edition submodels and is scheduled to go on sale in January 2012.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Ditching last year’s Nissan GT-R, Jon Olsson has acquired a Lamborghini Gallardo as a temporary replacement to transport his winter skis as he waits for delivery of its bigger brother, the Aventador (as you may have guessed, Olsson has a little love affair with Lamborghini products). Dressed in winter camouflage and a ski box, the Gallardo will be driven more than 30,000 miles this winter season says Olsson.

[via Jon-Olsson.com]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

You would think Nissan would take a break from meddling with its GT-R after enhancements to the 2012 Nissan GT-R resulted in more power and even faster acceleration times (which prompted duPont Publishing’s editors to award the GT-R its Best Bang for your Buck award in the 2012 duPont REGISTRY Exotic Car Buyers Guide).

Now we see multiple reports that the Nissan GT-R will be available with a Track Pack for 2012. The SpecV-like Track Pack will include racing seats with high-friction fabric; uprated brakes, exhaust, and suspension and dampers; different wheels; increased cooling and aerodynamics; and no rear chairs. Expect the full announcement on the 2012 Track Pack in the upcoming weeks.

We reached out to Nissan, which would neither confirm nor deny these reports.

[via PistonHeads]

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

duPont REGISTRY has the named the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 its Car of the Year, its most prestigious award, in its 2012 Exotic Car Buyers Guide, which is set to hit newsstands and other retail outlets in early October. With production of the Murcielago concluding in 2010 after nine years and a run of 4,099 cars, Lamborghini released its most potent and technologically advanced V-12 flagship of all time: the Aventador LP700-4. duPont REGISTRY chose the LP700-4 as the king of the 2012 exotics because of its advanced carbon-fiber construction, powerful V-12 engine, sophisticated transmission, and mesmerizing styling.

In addition to its Car of the Year award, duPont REGISTRY also acknowledged five other automobiles for their contributions to the exotic and luxury car marketplace for 2012 and beyond:

• Best Design — 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Spider
• Best Luxury Sedan — 2012 Bentley Mulsanne
• Best Bang for the Buck — 2012 Nissan GT-R
• Best Eco-Exotic — 2014 BMW i8
• Best New Concept — Jaguar C-X75

duPont Publishing, Inc. will release its annual Exotic Car Buyers Guide to over 25,000 upscale newsstands, bookstores, and international airports on October 4, 2011. The 10th-anniversary issue includes nearly 150 pages of detailed reviews and specs of exotic, luxury, and aftermarket automobiles as well as accessory and wheel guides.

“The duPont REGISTRY Exotic Car Buyers Guide is the only annual guide that focuses on only exotic automobiles,” says Publisher Thomas L. duPont. “There are no factory epistles… just pictures and a few comments from our editors that are designed to pique the reader’s interest and take them to the next level—ownership!”

duPont REGISTRY Awards Ferrari 458 Spider for its Design

duPont REGISTRY bestows the 2012 Best Design award on the new Ferrari 458 Spider in the latest edition of its Exotic Car Buyers Guide. The car stood out among its peers because of its revolutionary hardtop convertible mechanism, which allowed for the retention of many of the coupe’s lines with the roof closed while establishing a distinguishing new look with the top open. In addition, not only does this innovative top weigh less than a comparable soft-top mechanism, it also allows room for an uncompromised cargo area behind the two passenger chairs.

duPont REGISTRY's Exotic Car Buyers Guide Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene marvels, “With the 458 Spider, Ferrari has surpassed most people’s expectations while raising the bar on other exotic-car manufacturers.”

duPont REGISTRY Names Bentley Mulsanne as Best Luxury Sedan for 2012

Bigger yet lighter and redesigned from the chassis up, the Bentley Mulsanne carries its predecessor’s timeless elegance, hulking posture, and immense power into the new decade with the latest technologies and luxury appointments. This is why duPont REGISTRY named the Bentley Mulsanne its 2012 Best Luxury Sedan in the 10th-anniversary issue of its Exotic Car Buyers Guide. This is Bentley’s second award from duPont REGISTRY in as many years, following last year’s recognition of the Bentley Continental GT as its Best Luxury Coupe.

“The Continental Supersports models weren’t a strong move for Bentley, but it made up for this setback by quickly selling a year’s worth of Mulsannes, which is no easy task for a car at that price point,” said Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene. “The Mulsanne will help Bentley move to the next level for the new decade.”

2012 Nissan GT-R Earns Nod for Best Bang for your Buck from duPont Publishing, Inc.

Just when you thought the Nissan GT-R couldn’t get any better, new modifications to its 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 result in even more power and faster acceleration times, prompting duPont Publishing, Inc.’s editors to award the GT-R with the Best Bang for your Buck award in the 2012 duPont REGISTRY Exotic Car Buyers Guide.

“Small improvements have made a huge impact on the GT-R, making this already affordably priced dream car an even better value at only $90,000,” mentions Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene.

BMW’s i8 Concept Captures duPont REGISTRY’s Best Eco-Exotic Award Despite its Pre-Production Status

The i8, which is the first in BMW’s future line of i vehicles, has captured international attention with its futuristic shape and incredible fuel efficiency.

“Part of the concept car’s physical allure also helps it achieve its goal of low fuel consumption through well-developed aerodynamics,” said Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Greene.

The car, which should appear in 2013 as a 2014 model, includes both gasoline and electric drives and has an incredible range of 435 miles.

duPont REGISTRY’s 10th-Anniversary Exotic Car Buyers Guide Awards the 2012 Jaguar C-X75 the Best New Concept

The C-X75 is Jaguar’s first supercar in 20 years and will be the brand's most advanced model to date. The C-X75 is poised to compete in the new competitive hybrid exotic market. Its sleek exterior combines with its 300-mile range, drawing power from both gasoline and electric sources to solidify the popularity of this futuristic concept.

Background: The 2012 Exotic Car Buyers Guide is published by duPont Publishing, Inc. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, the company publishes duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Automobiles, duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Homes, and duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Boats classified magazines and other lifestyle publications that continue to be the leading periodicals in their respective high-end marketplaces. Visit http://www.dupontregistry.com/ for more information.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

With its Alpha 12 package, AMS Performance has become the first tuner to break the eight-second quarter-mile barrier in a Nissan GT-R. On July 26, 2011, AMS took its in-the-works and already record-breaking Alpha 12 package back to the track for a few more quarter-mile runs in optimum weather. The result was an 8.95-second quarter-mile blast with a trap speed of 169.49 mph. That’s 0.1 of a second quicker and 2.83 mph faster than its previous record-setting sprint.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Automotosports Performance of Chicago, Illinois, says it builds the world’s most powerful and quickest Nissan GT-Rs and its latest development, the Alpha 12 package, will only solidify its claim. Pushing the envelope is what AMS seems to do best and, in this case, it is pushing it to ridiculous levels. After finding a new way to reinforce the GT-R’s engine block, the technicians at AMS decided a day of testing was needed. Despite picking a hot and humid day, the Alpha 12 was able to procure some astonishing numbers. At the dynamometer, the Alpha 12 created an amazing 1,309 hp and 995 lb-ft of torque at the wheels while pushing 35 psi of boost. From there, AMS moved the car to the track where it consistently ran through the quarter mile in nine seconds and at speeds above 160 mph. Its fastest time was 9.05 seconds at 166.66 mph, 0.5 of a second faster than a record it set with this Alpha 10 package. Even the Hennessey GTR800 and GReddy SPE1000 fall short of both the Alpha 10 and Alpha 12.

AMS offers a couple different street-legal and completely drivable packages for the Nissan GT-R. Most are satisfied with its least expensive and least powerful offering: the $8,000 Alpha 6. It extracts another 120 hp from Nissan’s motor without forced induction; AMS says it has witnessed 10-second quarter-mile runs on 93-octane with its Alpha 6 package. Alpha 6 is also a gateway to its more powerful forced-induction upgrades. The mid-level Alpha 9 creates 900-plus hp and is good for nine-second quarter miles on pump gas and drag radials. It also costs $24,000. But that’s a bargain compared to its soon-to-be-replaced top-dog offering: the Alpha 10 costs $64,000 and ensures 1,100-plus hp and nine-second quarter-mile times. AMS did not specify when the Alpha 12 package will become available or how much it will cost. We anticipate it first wants to put it through a few more rounds of testing, probably with some better weather, and maybe resulting in some new GT-R records.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

We have to give it up to Nissan for bucking the trend and offering a convertible SUV. The concept behind the Murano CrossCabriolet isn’t new. The Jeep Wrangler comes with soft-top and so did the Land Rover Defender of the mid-90s. But those cars are undeniable different in a can’t-quite-put-a-finger-on type of way. Nissan calls it the world’s first crossover convertible and we will agree that it is like no other crossover or SUV on the road.

Unfortunately, to create the CrossCabriolet, Nissan had to re-engineer Murano to the point that it is nothing like the four-door SUV except in name and face. The transformation meant creating new front doors and eliminating the rear doors and B-pillars. The front doors are 7.9 inches longer and may help ingress/egress but they swing wide and are heavy, reminding us of the doors on the old GM-produced F-bodies of the 90s. The lack of rear doors is disappointing as well. Part of the practicality of an SUV comes from allowing the rear passengers to enter and exit on their own or the ease of putting a child down in his or her car seat, but the CrossCabriolet takes away those conveniences. The backseat offers decent headroom and houses comfortable chairs although it is a little slim on legroom. We also found storage space in the rear trunk to be rather small, a problem exacerbated by a divider that needs to be in place in order to put the top down.

Follow the jump to read more about the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY

Nissan trademarked the term “4-Door Sports Car” for the Maxima and refers it as having the “soul of a sports car with the practicality of a sedan.” Normally, this time of marketing pitch fails to truly exemplify the product, but with the 2011 Maxima, we think Nissan may have actually hit the nail on its head. The Nissan Maxima features out-of-the-pack styling, a powerful 290-hp V-6 engine, sophisticated CVT transmission, nimble handling, and ample room for four people and their things.

It starts with its wide stance and prodigious fenders that give the Maxima an aggressive, sporty look. The Maxima’s metal is appealing. It shares features with other Nissan’s products, like the sculpted rear haunches of the Altima Coupe, the flat nose of the Nissan GT-R, and the arrowhead headlamps from the 370Z. Despite being a conglomerate of styling elements, the whole package works well.

Follow the jump for our full 2011 Nissan Maxima review.

Provided by duPont REGISTRY