Off Duty, Automotive - Air Force Times

Tops for 2010: Hot sports cars

• 2010 Nissan 370Z

Base MSRP: $36,970

The 370Z perfectly channels the sports car purity of the 1969 240Z; you can see the old car in the shape of the new car’s upper canopy and its overall “squat.”

Its standard V-6 has been enlarged to 3.7 liters, and power is up to 332 horsepower. The standard six-speed manual transmission is available with computer-controlled, rev-matching downshifts (the system “blips” the throttle for you when you upshift or downshift, for ultrafast gear changes). With more power (and weighing nearly 100 pounds less), the 370 can nail 60 mph in five seconds.

The Z-car is often compared with the (thoroughly excellent) Chevrolet Corvette, but the Nissan is much smaller — its wheelbase is only 100.4 inches vs. the ’Vette’s 105.7 inches and it is nearly 8 inches shorter overall — which gives it the feel of a true sports car while the Corvette, with its huge V-8 and larger footprint is really more of a hybrid sport-muscle car. The 370Z has another virtue: It costs $10,000-$15,000 less than a new Corvette.

• 2010 VW GTI

Base MSRP: $25,700 (estimated)

Volkswagen intends to bring the GTI back to its roots for 2010 — and provide a more budget-friendly alternative to last year’s fun but largely unaffordable R32 ($32,990). The new Golf-based GTI will feature a 210 hp turbocharged, direct injected 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine and the buyer’s choice of six-speed manual or six speed “clutchless” manual Direct Shift Gearbox.