Every year, Nissan performance enthusiasts gather to celebrate Zdayz, a tribute to the iconic Z-car and other Nissan speed machines such as the GT-R. The annual celebration changes venues each year, taking place in various locations around the U.S. The first Zdayz was held in 2004, but at its roots is the stylish and well-loved Datsun 240Z of the early 1970s.

This year, Zdayz was held at the Fontana Village Resort in North Carolina, and Nissan surprised the enthusiast participants by debuting the 2015 370Z Nismo at the event.

Compared to the 2014 370Z, the 2015 has a somewhat more subtle and refined look, matched by a newly available automatic transmission and more comfortable seats.

The exterior changes include a smaller, more mature looking ducktail spoiler at the back, new charcoal grey twin-spoke 19-inch Rays wheels, LED running lights, and a deeper front chin spoiler with red accents that flow into the side sills to the rear fascia.

Inside, the driver and passenger are coddled in redesigned Recaro leather-and-Alcantara seats that Nissan says offer more uniform support and a better ability to hold the body in position during cornering. A new-for-2015 Nismo Tech package includes navigation within a seven-inch touchscreen monitor, plus a rearview camera, Bose audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, an auto-dimming mirror and Homelink universal transceiver.

Under the hood, the most substantial change is a new optional seven-speed automatic transmission with downshift rev matching, adaptive shift control, and manual shift mode with paddle shifters. The Nismo’s well-regarded close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match remains the standard-equipment gearbox, and the potent 350-horsepower 3.7-litre DOHC V6 engine carries over unchanged.

The 2015 370Z Nismo is offered in four exterior colours – Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White – and will go on sale starting in July 2014.
©(Copyright Canadian Auto Press)