Nissan's tempting two-seat coupe-and-convertible combo recently was redesigned and renamed the 370Z by virtue of a larger 3.7-liter V6 engine. This powerplant delivers an entertaining 332 hp and comes mated to a slick-shifting, close-ratio, six-speed manual transmission, which we found does a terrific job of channeling all of that muscle to the rear wheels. A seven-speed automatic is available for those who are clutch-averse. Either gearbox can be fitted with the SynchroRev Match system, which automatically adjusts engine speed when it changes gears to provide smoother shifts. Although it is slightly shorter and wider than before, the Z retains its classic styling cues inside and out. High-speed cornering remains crisp and exact, and allows just the right amount of wheel slippage before the stability-control system intervenes. Unfortunately, the car's taut suspension made us feel every bump in the road. A higher performance NISMO version is aimed at the so-called "tuner" crowd.

* 2009 PRICES. 2010 PRICES NOT ANNOUNCED AT PRESS TIME