2013 Nissan 370Z: The bold and the brutal (pictures)

Nissan's Z-car has survived the deaths of the Toyota Supra, the Honda NSX, and the Mazda RX-7 to become the last pure Japanese sports car. There just isn't anything else like it on the road.

The two-seater Z's proportions are a natural evolution of the 1969 240Z's silhouette.

The 2013 370Z model can be discerned from the previous model year by its simplified grille and LED daytime running lights.

Under the hood is the same 3.7-liter V-6 engine that's powered every 370Z since 2009. Output is rated at 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque.

The 370Z features a wide-body design with dramatically flared fenders housing meaty 275-width rear tires on our Sport-package-equipped model.

The Sport package also adds a limited-slip differential to the drive axle, firmer "Euro-tuned" shocks at all four corners, and a few aerodynamic tweaks.

Between the wheel wells, the gas tank, and a full-size spare tire, there's not much room behind the Z's two seats for storage.

Our Sport model also upgrades over the standard 370Z with 19-inch Rays forged aluminum alloy wheels.

With small windows and lots of black trim, the 370Z's cockpit is a bit dark and claustrophobic, even in broad daylight.

Our 370Z Touring gains power seats and heated seating surfaces over the standard Z.

The Z's steering is heavy and responsive, but I also found it to be just a bit numb.

The instrument cluster floats over the steering column and adjusts with the steering wheel as you move it for a consistently unobstructed view of the gauges.

With the Sport package, the standard six-speed manual transmission gains a SynchroRev Match feature that automatically blips and holds the throttle during shifting for perfectly timed gear changes.

Extra gauge pods for oil temperature, accessory power, and a digital clock supply extra info to the driver.

Optioning the $2,150 Navigation package adds a hard-drive-based navigation system to the 370Z's dashboard.

The navigation system is built around a 7-inch touch-screen display. Those who prefer physical controls can also use the rotary controller located beneath the display.

This is the same navigation system that the 370Z debuted with and, after almost four years, the system seems a bit outdated.

The base-model 370Z features AM/FM, CD, and SiriusXM audio sources with an auxiliary audio input. Our Touring with Navigation model adds USB, iPod, Bluetooth audio streaming, and DVD playback to that list.

Hands-free calling via Bluetooth isn't available on the base model, but the 370Z Touring adds it to the list of standard features. The system maintains separate phonebooks for the vehicle and your paired handset, but won't let you access the handset's contacts while the vehicle is in motion.

Navigation users who maintain a SiriusXM Satellite Radio connection can also take advantage of weather forecasts and traffic data.

The hard-core Nissan Z may be as pure as sports cars come, but it also faces competition from the likes of the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec, which isn't as sharp a performer, but is much more comfortable and easier to live with from day to day.