COOKING up the perfect blend is no simple task.

The order is to produce a pure-bred two-seater performance machine with the sort of easy going convenience that makes it an everyday sports car. Easier said than done.

One company that managed to get the mix spot-on was Nissan, courtesy of the award-winning 350Z launched back in 2003.

Well now the Z car is back with a bigger bang plus some clever tricks - and with prices from £28,345 it represents impressive value for money.

The new incarnation of the Zed, the 370Z, has a 3.7-litre V6 engine delivering a hefty 330bhp of wallop, outstripping the 350Z in every area.

While the figures spell out its performance in no uncertain terms - 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and a potential 155mph top end - there's a real gem available on cars with the GT Pack in a system called Synchro Rev Control.

If that sounds like something off a Grand Prix car, well you're on the right lines.

Basically SRC allows every driver, no matter how skilled, to manually change gear as quickly and smoothly as Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button.

And it manages it by ensuring that engine revs are always at the optimum level when the driver is changing gear - blipping the throttle on downshifts or maintaining the revs for changing up.

Wonderful stuff and when combined with the pin-sharp handling, improved stability due to a shorter wheelbase and a throaty engine note you have a two-seat muscle machine par excellence.

The 370Z looks the part too with its meat on the bone styling punctuated by bulging haunches, 19-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, contoured roof and shark's mouth front.

Inside the hardcore effect is extended with a black and aluminium dash and start/stop button while the two occupants sink into powered black leather and suede seats.

In true sports car tradition the controls appear wrapped round the driver and there are some interesting touches too - like the lit panel with two rows of tiny orange spots at the top and bottom.

One shows how much fuel you have left, the other indicating water level, while in the middle is a gauge which flashes between zero and 60 mile per gallon.

For a two-seater the amount of stowage is half decent with space behind the seats and 235 litres of room under the tailgate, which now incorporates a retractable luggage blind. There's also now a locking glovebox.

It all adds up to a near perfect performance sports car, though there is a trade-off. I only managed 24 miles per gallon, so running costs will be on the high side, and the ride is also pretty hard.

For the money though it's an absolute belter - a genuine understudy to Nissan's GT-R supercar.