IT is one of the most striking-looking sports cars around with power bulges and muscular wheel arches encasing huge 18-inch alloy wheels.

All of this is nicely rounded off with twin chrome exhaust pipes and the signature Z emblem emblazed on the side.

Porsche? Ferrari? No, it is a Nissan and, yes, the firm does have a sports car heritage.

The 370Z evolved from the iconic 240Z and with the even more powerful GT-R in the stable the firm offers two real muscle cars in its range of family cars, commercials and 4x4s.

Available as a coupe or roadster, it looks the kind of car to deliver stunning performance and the 3.7-litre V6 engine shoehorned into the front doesn't disappoint.

If you like muscle cars then this is The Terminator on steroids. The 325bhp engine offers thrilling performance, mated to a slick shifting six-speed manual gearbox.

It's also pretty well equipped for the price, although some of the finish when compared to its competitors lacks the same quality.

The car rockets from 0-60mph in just 5.3 neck-wrenching seconds with the delightful rasp of the V6 always in the background when under hard acceleration and where permitted if accelerates up to a limited top speed of 155mph.

Handling is excellent thanks to the double wishbone suspensions at the front and rear multi-link suspension. That car feels likes in rails when cornering.

The ride is predictably firm and not too uncomfortable, but a drive to the south of France would require several comfort stops.

But this is no bone-jarring sports car and although engine noise is always evident under normal driving it still is a relatively comfortable place to be.

Accousticly that is. A proper two-seater you have to get used a pretty limited seat position and if on the short side, could be peering over the top of the steering wheel and getting in and out in an elegant manner is quite a challenge.

At a shade under £30,000 sports car enthusiasts get a decent package of excellent performance and high levels of standard equipment that would costs substantially more with some competitors.

This includes rain sensing wipers, auto headlamps, leather bound steering wheel with the iconic Z badge in the centre, powered windows and door mirrors, air conditioning plus on-board computer.

The interior is finished in woven carbon cloth with cloth interior trim. Dials and switchgear are finished with aluminium trim and it features aluminium pedals and footrest.

For the limited boot space of 235 litres there are six cargo net hooks, while extra space is available behind the seats for smaller bags and oddments.

Extra space comes with a centre console box and a damped glovebox plus a pair of cupholders.

The two roomy front seats offer good headroom because of the low position and the nature of the car means vision can be restricted.

But overall it is a thrilling drive and while economy not fantastic, I was surprised to be getting with a few digits of the claimed economy figure of 26.6mpg.

Safety needs to be a priority with a brutal performance and the Nissan features driver and passenger airbag, traction and stability control and anti lock braking.

Stylish, reasonably priced and power aplenty, it's a proper driver's car.