It’s fun in a Nissan (370 Z)

What does a businessman/ chemist and a general manager have in common? Their love for their Nissan 370 Z. Pierra Fava and Joe Duca recently put their busy schedules on hold and took their “priced” possessions to Sicily for a weekend of great driving and great food.

The Nissan 370 Z has a 3.7-litre DOHC 24-valve V6 aluminum-alloy, rear-wheel engine producing 332bhp@7,000 rpm and 270 lb/ft@ 5,200 rpm of torque.

Test driving the car on its launch in 2009, Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame had said that “driving the 370 Z was a raw and mechanical experience and the V6 engine had a gutsy appeal that differentiated it from the finely tuned units in competitors such as the Mazda RX8, Porsche Boxster or Honda S2000. Each has their merits, but muscle was the Nissan’s unique selling point.” He also concluded by saying that “the Z car is even more of a thug than ever, just one that’s aware of its own strength.”

This strength was made evident as we hit the Sicilian autostrada, and the Nissans’ true potential came to the fore immediately after we got to terms with the GPS system as we headed to the hotel as quickly as was allowed by law.

The cars were the main attraction there and stirred quite a commotion and interest among the guests.

We had enough time that day to take a complex but worthwhile route to a private and exclusive collection of classic cars in Catania, which included a Ferrari Dino, Ferrari California, a few classic Fiat 500s and Alfa Romeos and Ducati motorbikes.

The next morning we had an early start and after a great Sicilian breakfast we drove off to the Autodromo di Pergusa race track situated next to a very picturesque lake.

With us on the track were ­Mitsubishi Evos, Subaru Imprezas, Porsches and the likes. The competition was tough and yet the 370 Z fared well. They were by far the best handling cars on the track.

Fava and Duca are now also considering founding a Nissan 370 Z owners club (Malta).

Those wishing to join the club should e-mail jduca@mizzimotors.com.mt.