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Fall usually is good top-down touring weather in Texas and other Sun Belt states, so the arrival of the 2010 Nissan 370Z roadster seems to be just in time.

Those in the colder climates might have to wait until spring to enjoy this beautiful new ragtop, at least with the top down.

The new roadster joins the Z lineup that also includes the redesigned coupe, which went on sale earlier this year as a 2009 model.

This is the sixth generation of the iconic Z car that has been in the No. 2 Japanese automaker’s stable off and on for nearly 40 years. After killing off the Z line in 1996, Nissan revived it for 2003, bringing the fifth generation to market.

For 2009, the convertible was the 350Z. The name was changed for 2010 to reflect the size of the engine — a 3.7-liter V-6 that replaced the previous-generation’s 3.5-liter.

Used in both the coupe and roaster models, this is a version of the award-winning Nissan VQ engine series, featuring 332 horsepower and 270 foot-pounds of torque – up from 306 horsepower and 268 foot-pounds of torque in the previous model.

The car has rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is not offered.

Available transmissions are a seven-speed automatic and a close-ratio six-speed manual. Our tester came with the manual, which is the most fun for pure driving, but the automatic would be preferable for most people if they were to use the Z for everyday commuting in stop-and-go traffic.

The engine’s power is quite exhilarating, and one could get in trouble quickly with the traffic cops because the car never seems to be going nearly as fast as it is.

New features include an automatic-latching power top and Nissan’s Intelligent Key system, which lets the car operate without having to put a key into the ignition.

Two models are offered: the base ($36,970, plus $720 freight) and the Touring ($40,520), which we tested.

This car is a two-seater, and can be a bit of a challenge to get into and out of if you’re not petite. But once inside, there is decent head and legroom, and the seats are comfortable.

The dash in front of the driver has analog speedometer and tachometer gauges, and there is a digital readout to show the transmission’s gear position. A driver-information center to the left of the steering column has a small digital screen, and there are also is a digital engine temperature gauge and fuel gauge.

There are three small round gauges to the right of the steering column, featuring analog oil temperature and voltmeter gauges and a digital clock.

Extras with the Touring model include power heated-and-cooled leather net seats, a universal garage/gate opener, Bluetooth phone system, eight-speaker Bose audio system, XM satellite radio and aluminum-trimmed pedals. The speakers include two subwoofers.

Two options packages are available, but only on the Touring model, and were included on our tester.

They are the Sport Package ($2,800), with 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels, Bridgestone Potenza tires, SynchroRev Match for the manual transmission, and viscous limited-slip differential; and a Navigation Package ($1,850), with a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive, USB connection, XM NavTraffic and NavWeather, and an in-dash DVD player.

Nismo performance brake pads are available for an additional $580, and also were included on our car.

The only real difference between the coupe and the roadster is that the roadster has the soft convertible top. It’s been redesigned to help reduce wind turbulence in the cabin when it’s down. In the down position, the top is hidden under a hard body-color cover.

While the standard top is black, our tester had a wine-colored roof.

The top has a fabric inner liner that reduces some of the outside noise when driving with the top up, but it’s still quite noisy inside at highway speeds. The top goes from open to closed or vice-versa in about 20 seconds, and is operated by a switch on the center console or buttons on the doors.

A glass rear window comes with a built-in defroster. There is a glass wind deflector between the headrest bars to help minimize wind intrusion into the cabin.

As with the coupe, the new roadster is 2.6 inches shorter than the previous generation, with a wheelbase four inches shorter. It’s lighter, as well, with such features as an aluminum hood, door panels and trunk. The entire structure was made more rigid to help increase stability, Nissan said.

Seven exterior colors are offered: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pearl White, Monterey Blue and Black Cherry. Automatic high-intensity discharge xenon headlights are standard.

On the base model are carbon cloth seats with standard eight-way manual adjustment on the driver’s side and four-way manual for the passenger.

The Touring model has the leather net seats, along with four-way power and four-way manual adjustments for the driver, and four-way power for the passenger.

Standard on all models are power windows/mirrors/door locks, automatic climate control, two 12-volt power outlets, and three cup holders.

The base model comes with an AM/FM/compact-disc audio system with auxiliary jack and four speakers. The audio controls on the steering wheel are illuminated.

Both models ride on an updated independent four-wheel suspension. Four-wheel vented antilock disc brakes are standard.

Our Touring model had great road-holding abilities, even on tight turns on curvy rural roads. Control was never an issue, with steering crisp and responsive, as one would expect.

EPA estimates are 18 mpg city/25 highway for both transmissions. Despite the power increase, fuel economy is up by one mpg in the city and two on the highway over the previous model.

Base models come with 18-inch lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza summer tires.

Safety features include seat-mounted side air bags; door-mounted side-curtain air bags, seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, tire-pressure monitoring, and a security system with vehicle immobilizer.

Our tester’s total sticker price was $46,470, which included the two options packages, Nismo brake pads, and freight.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1994. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

The package: Two-door, two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive, V-6 convertible sports car.

Advantages: The sixth generation of the iconic Z car roadster is new for 2010 and better than ever, with a bigger engine and more power, but slightly better fuel economy.

Negatives: Very little storage space inside, and the trunk is quite small.

Engine: 3.7-liter V-6.

Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 332 HP./270 foot-pounds.

Length: 167.2 inches.

Curb weight: 3,426-3,489 pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; door-mounted side-curtain, both standard.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Trunk volume: 4.2 cubic feet.

Fuel capacity/type: 19.0 gallons/unleaded premium.

EPA fuel economy: 18 mpg city/25 highway.

Major competitors: Audi TT, Porsche Boxster, BMW Z4, Lotus Elise.

Base price range: $36,970-$40,520, plus $720 freight.

Price as tested: $46,470, including freight and options (Touring model with manual gearbox).

On the Road rating: 9.3 (of a possible 10).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.