Nissan Announces Pricing for the 2009 370Z Coupe, New Tagline

When everybody is one foot out the office door to start making preparations for the monstrous New Year's party, Nissan's PR and marketing people are doing their job to the very last minute. This crisis has really changed things, hasn't it? Anyway, Nissan's US division has just announced the pricing details for their 2009 370Z Coupe and, what's more, a new marketing tagline. After all, nothing boosts sales better than a good tagline.

So, sports car fans who fancy the new Z, which by the way goes on sale today at Nissan dealers in the US, in their garages should know that the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) starts at $29,930 for the 6-speed manual transmission and at $31,230 for the new 7-speed automatic one. The new Z is also offered in a 370Z Coupe Touring model, which is priced at $34,460 with the 6-speed manual and at $35,760 with the 7-speed automatic transmission, today's press release informs.

In case you, the avid Nissan fan, forgot the technical details, you should know that the 370Z has the world's first synchronized downshift rev matching 6-speed manual transmission, which is quite an accomplishment for the Japanese engineers. The new 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL) offers a total of 332 horsepower, 26 more compared to the old one, while the 4-wheel independent suspension, steering and braking systems have been upgraded.

Available technology features include Nissan Navigation System with XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information (XM subscription required, sold separately) and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and a Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System.

The second sort of major announcement today from Nissan is the rollout of the revised marketing tagline, drum rolls, please... SHIFT_the way you move. Since we're not marketing experts, let's see what's the official explanation for this change.

“Previously, SHIFT_ was used with multiple complement words, which varied by product or media application. The move to one set phrase "the way you move" reflects alignment of the direction Nissan is taking to meet changing consumer needs and wants,” the press release kindly explains.

"SHIFT_ has always been the core of Nissan's DNA. It is rethinking the ordinary, changing your point of view, and being original, forward thinking and challenging," said Christian Meunier, vice president, Nissan Marketing, NNA.

"Our commitment to the philosophy of SHIFT_ has become even more critical as we look to the future and the pressures of economic and environmental change that are affecting consumer behavior in how they interact with and impact the world," he added.

If you are scratching your head right now thinking about what that means, fear not, we're not quite sure either. But then again, marketing has never been a logical notion.