ONE OF THE most terrifying creatures in the African continent is not a lion, a rhino nor is it a venomous snake. It doesn’t even have teeth. The Tsetse fly (pronounced ‘zee-zee’) flies around biting people, infecting them with the potentially-deadly Sleeping sickness.

What does Nissan’s new Z car have to do with a irritating parasite? Well the 350Z which was never really the obvious choice if you wanted some Japanese-bred performance.

Nissan always aimed at loftier rivals (hence the Z’s own relative price) like the Porsche Cayman. And with the new-improved 370Z it’s not just wishful-thinking anymore.

Yes, you heard right – it’s got Porsche-fighting quality.

Like the infamous fly, the 370Z zooms around infecting people with the Driving Disease, by which they’re forced to get back into the seat and pilot the car mindlessly for the sheer love of it.

The new Z hasn’t gotten bigger by default, but has received a going-over wherever it counts most dynamically.

The wheelbase is 100mm shorter, with the rear wheels moved forward for better handling, now at 2,550mm. Overall length is shorter by 70mm, but it’s 33mm wider and with a 55mm expanded rear track for increased stability and more hunker.

And then there’s the new styling. The essential shape remains the same, all pouncing readiness, bulging wheel-arches and muscular lines, but the details are all pretty different – those arrowhead front lights, bonnet bulges and ‘fanged’ front air intake. The 350 had the right curves but not enough visual drama and it’s all made-up for here on the new Z.

Taking center stage is the new engine, the VQ37VHR as found in the Infiniti G37 coupe. It’s not just a bored-out version of the old 3.5-litre V6, as Nissan claims 35 percent new parts. 3,696cc and extensive fettling see the 90-degree V6 put out 330bhp at 7,000rpm (306bhp before) and 365Nm at 5,200rpm.

It’s an excellent unit and even more charismatic than before. While the peak numbers suggest marginal improvements, the torque curve is much flatter – you can pull in almost any gear if you want to be lazy. This also accounts for how the 370Z certainly doesn’t feel like a car with just 330bhp. While it might be the torque curve, Japanese engineers are known to be notoriously modest when it comes to declared power figures and finicky markets like the US are reporting sub-five second 0-100km/h times.

Backing up the power is drama. The free-breathing exhaust makes a booming groan when you engage the start button and this builds up to a harsh, cacophonous roar when you wind the engine up. And new V6 loves revs even more, making both peak outputs 200rpm higher than before, but you’ll find yourself gunning it just for the sound alone.

It’s a bruiser, not a cruiser, and literally so. The car’s driving dynamics, along with the controls, all betray a certain dense heft – the steering is chunky and accurate, as are the foot controls. Excellent brake and clutch feel, although the latter does have a delayed uptake. The six-speed manual is accurate, albeit slightly notchy; you don’t engage gears so much as ram the ratios home.

A clever, new system is Nissan’s Synchro Rev-Match system, that automatically blips the throttle when you engage a lower gear, before you let out the clutch. It’s useful for when you want to concentrate on other things, or to match your own heel-toeing to a Platonic ideal.

This is a car that requires a firm-handed driver but rewards him or her with a lot of enjoyment. Extensive use of lightweight materials make it around 30kg lighter than before and even more enjoyable to drive. The chassis is taut and the car has an overall feeling of composure that’s hard to find, even further up the money ladder. Turn the traction control off and you can get up to tail-out silliness, but the Z always lets you know what’s going to happen next.

Bridgestone RE050’s riding on 19-inch Rays alloys provide tremendous stickiness but also contribute to a less-than-forgiving ride but with such great handling on tap this can easily be forgiven. Also that 3.7-litre engine will cost you $3,474 road tax annually, and it’s a gulper at 9.1km/L.

Considering the sheer entertainment value of the car, it’s well worth the asking price alone but you also get quite a bit of extra kit to go with it. The sticker price includes a sports package (optional overseas, standard on all cars here) which includes the nice 19-inch Rays alloys, viscous limited-slip differential, Nissan-branded Akebono brakes, SynchroRev Match and front/rear spoilers. You also get cruise control, Bose sound system, electric sport seats, xenon headlamps and keyless entry.

It’s a well-known fact Nissan used the Porsche Cayman as a production benchmark. Sure the Cayman is a better sports car – but it costs almost twice as much. Nissan have succeeded in delivering a capable, fun, dramatic sports car that delivers far beyond its price tag.

Fast Facts
Verdict:
The buzz of the Z just got louder – the 370Z could be Nissan’s sleeper sports car hit
PLUS - Superb revised V6 engine, assured handling and poise, generous equipment list, aggro new styling
MINUS - Fuel consumption and road tax will kill you