Available in eight body colours - including a new deep maroon with matching tonneau - the new roadster cuts a dash with large 19-inch forged aluminium alloys designed specifically for the model.

The interior features beautifully trimmed hide, large sport dials, aluminium pedals, and an eight-speaker Bose sound system. The leather seats are unique as they have air conditioning installed internally to cool passengers in the summer - and proved very effective on a drive around the city on a hot spring day.

The convertible's soft top is fully automatic and takes about 20 seconds to put up or retract. With the roof open, the lined canvas top stows out of sight beneath a metal storage lid behind the cabin and when the top is up, the roof-line helps accentuate the 370Z's long nose/short cockpit proportions. The soft top can also be opened outside the vehicle by pressing a switch on the key.

Around town, the roadster is instantly appealing - and there's little discernible difference in the way it handles compared with the coupe. The vocal V6 is as urgent as ever, and there's little sign of body flex thanks to reinforcement braces in the doors and a more rigid body structure.

It's quiet too. Nissan says it has designed the convertible's front window mouldings to optimise the airflow around the cabin, while a rear deflector helps minimise wind buffeting when the top is open.

The shape and position of the glass wind deflector - between the headrest bars - reduces turbulence and limits wind noise in the cabin - making it possible to have a normal conversation, even with the top down.

As thrillingly potent as the engine seems, the star of the show is the seven-speed automatic transmission which features a manual shift mode with downshift rev matching and adaptive shift control.

Put simply, the system replicates the direct shifting sensation of a manual gearbox where the driver flips through gears using paddles, while the rev matching function adjusts engine speed to match the speed of the next gear position - essentially 'blipping' the throttle to smooth out any glitches. The system works so seamlessly that you can flick between automatic and manual modes as you desire. The auto mode is made for highways and slow traffic, while the manual paddle mode will let you make the most out of sports driving, overtaking or showing off the prowess (and engine note) of the V6.

Others may query the price, but you could easily pay a lot more for a German sports car that can match its performance or sheer driving ability. As with the coupe, the 370Z roadster offers the thrill of a GT-R minus the fear factor - at nearly half the price. This could be 2010's thinking person's bonus car.

AT A GLANCE: Nissan 370Z roadster

What drives it? A 3,696cc, V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed auto box with manual mode.

How fast is it? The roadster has been reported to smack out 332bhp at 7,000rpm, make 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds and top out at 250km/h.

How safe is it? It has vehicle dynamic control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist and dual front, side and curtain air bag systems.

How thirsty is it? Fuel economy is said to be 9.5km per litre on a combined cycle.

Available: HK$639,000 with a five-year warranty from Honest Motors (tel: 2803 5333).