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The Nissan 350Z is a sports car manufactured by 'Nissan Motor Co, LTD'. The 350Z is the fifth (and current) generation of Nissan's Z-car line, originally introduced in 1970 as the Datsun 240Z. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. It is currently available in several trim packages and is sold as both a 2 door coupé and roadster.

Contents

Background

Design and layout

Models

Type-E

S-Tune GT

R-Tune

GT-S

NISMO 350Z

Alpine car

Motorsport

In pop culture

Specifications

Reviews and awards

References

Further reading

Background

After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year. The car was conceived by Nissan's North American design team in their free time, and the concept was introduced in a four state Road Show in July 1998 to various car media, dealers and employees. Yutaka Katayama, regarded as the "Father of the Z" unveiled the Z concept sketch to the public when he received a motor industry award. The design, representing a modern vision of the 240Z, did not please the original 240Z designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, who compared it to the Bluebird and Leopard^[2][3]
The first concept model was produced for the Detroit Motor Show for the following January then later at the Los Angeles Auto Expo. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp 2.4L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be assigned made the car more underpowed, also they also felt the car was considered too "retro" or too "backward" resembling a futuristic 240Z thus a redesign was underway. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn gave the car the green light as he felt the car would help to assist the company's recovery.^[2]
The redesigned model, now known as the 'Z Concept', which was similar in bodyshape but with a redesigned front end was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show two years later. The car then underwent a minor redesign and was eventually assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence the car became known as the 350Z. The car would break its tradition of being of the first Z not to be produced at the Shatai plant.^[2]

Design and layout

The 350Z is a front engine rear-wheel-drive 2 passenger 2 door sports car designed by Ajay Panchal of Nissan Design America located in San Diego California.^[6]
The vehicle features the long-hood short-deck design common to the Z-Car family. External design highlights include: sloping fastback style roofline, unique brushed aluminum door handles, high waistline, and bulging fenders that are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle.
Interior cabin design is straight forward with brushed aluminum accents. The main gauge pod is mounted directly to the steering column allowing their movement to coincide with steering wheel adjustments. Additional gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster. The 350Z’s interior does not have a conventional glove box, instead it makes use of various storage compartments located either behind or between the two seats.

Models

Released on August 20, 2002, the 2003 350Z coupe was available in the U.S. in 5 trim packages, including the Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track Editions. In Europe only the Base version and a GT pack were sold. The GT pack had leather seats, Bose stereo system, and cruise control over the Base model. Nissan's performance tuning division, Nismo, began producing modified versions of the car shortly after its introduction, although in the UK these were only available one year after the car was launched.

In 2004 Nissan introduced the 350Z roadster featuring an electrically retractable soft-top hood. The car came in 2 trim packages (Enthusiast and Touring) in the U.S. market, and the Base and GT packs in Europe.
In 2005 Nissan launched a 35th Anniversary edition, which featured options such as "Z" emblems and 5-spoke wheels. The 2005 35th Anniversary edition 6-speed manual and 2005 Track trims both produce 300 hp and 260 torque (224 kW). In addition, The 35th Anniversary and Track 350Z also included revised pistons and camshaft profiles, and a new type of control to the variable valve timing. Although there were increases in power, the changes lead to a decrease in peak torque in the vehicle. Also, unfortunately many of the 300 hp engines from 05 and 06 6 speed manual transmissions (Rev-Up) burn oil due to what may be faulty rings ^[7] Nissan is continuing to work on the situation but no TSB issued to date (5/12/07).
Nissan also added the Grand Touring trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005. Since the anniversary edition all 6-speed models produce 300 hp / 260 ft·lbf (224 kW / 353 N·m).
For the 2007 model year, the 350Z was moderately revised. The VQ35DE V6 was replaced with a new 3.5 L VQ35HR V6. It produced 306 hp at 6800 rpm with 268 lb-ft at 4800 rpm. The front bumper, hood, and headlamps were also revised with the hood featuring a bulge reminiscent of the original 240Z. Trims levels were also narrowed down to 350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, and Grand Touring.

Type-E

A limited run (only 5 units) called the Type-E was produced in Japan in order to meet homologation requirements to compete in the Super GT series. The Type-E featured a longer nose and rear overhang as well as a few extra aerodynamic aids.

S-Tune GT

The S-Tune GT was released by Nismo to celebrate its success in motorsport, particularly in the Super GT series. The S-Tune GT featured revised long nose bodywork as in the Type-E, a modified version of the VQ35DE engine called the S1 with more power (300 PS / 221 kW / 296 hp) and higher redline (7200 rpm), as well as a sportier Nismo suspension.

R-Tune

The R-Tune is the final step of the Nismo lineup, with further modifications including headers, cams, pulleys. The R-Tune voids the Nissan factory warranty, but gains significant horsepower, intended for track racers.

GT-S

During the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) unveiled the 350Z GT-S concept.^[8] The GT-S featured a unique radial flow supercharger (that could be turned on or off via a switch on the dashboard), raising engine output to 382.6 bhp and 424.8 Nm without modifications to the engine components. The car also featured new body kit for more cooling and downforce and wider 245 and 265/40/18 tires. No plans for production have been revealed, although there have been some hints that the package may be offered as an upgrade kit. The car has been tested favorably against its possible production rivals, the Porsche Cayman S and BMW Z4 M.^[9]

NISMO 350Z

This edition of 350Z Coupe was debuted in New York International Auto Show on April 4, 2007. This version featured the same engine as the regular 350Z, but only offered 6-speed manual transmission. The car featured NISMO aerodynamics package based on the Super GT championship car, which included an aggressive front fascia with chin spoiler, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with underbody diffuser and a rear wing. The car also had NISMO-tuned independent multi-link suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8-inch front and 12.7-inch rear rotors) and NISMO-branded gunmetal gray RAYS alloy wheels (18x9-inch front and 19x10-inch rear with 245/40WR18 front, 265/35WR19 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires), and NISMO-branded tuned exhaust. The vehicle in the car show had black-faced instrumentation, but the production US-spec car will feature white gauges.
NISMO 350Z went on sale in the US in July 2007 at Nissan dealers.^[10][11] The vehicle had MSRP of $38,070.

Alpine car

Another rumor is that the French brand Alpine (a manufacturer of Renault-powered sports cars) would be resurrected to offer a new car based on the platform of the 350Z, developed with the support of Porsche.^[12]

Motorsport

Since its introduction in 2002, it did not take long for drivers and teams to enter a Z33 for competition when B.J. Zacharias and Michiel Schuitemaker of Schuitemaker Motorsports helped the car to make its debut in the Grand-Am Cup Series at the start of the 2003 season. They have taken a few podium finishes with Unitech Racing who is also the other team to field a Z33, but effort was proved to be successful under the name of ''Playboy Racing'' scoring wins along with the other current Grand-Am entrant East Competition Promotorsport. The Grand-Am Cup car has also been used in the new FIA GT4 European Cup.
The 350Z replaced the Skyline GT-R as the car for Nissan's factory and customer teams in the Super GT's GT 500 class. The cars used are heavily modified and feature a longer nose and tail (requiring the production of the Type-E homologation special), carbon fiber bodywork, and a tube chassis. In 2004, Nismo won the GT500 championship. Until the 2007 season, the car was powered by a VQ30DETT V6. In order to increase competitiveness, however, a new 4.5L V8 powerplant has been developed. The car, with slightly more pedestrian modifications also competes in the GT300 class (having started there even before the Skyline GT-Rs were replaced) by teams such as Endless Sports and Mola. In 2003 Hasemi Sports won the GT300 championship with the 350Z.
The Z33 also appears in the Japan's Super Taikyu series, entered by C-West Labs. The British GT Championship also fields a privateer 350Z which competed in the series until 2006.
The car is considered popular choice for amateurs and professionals in SCCA events, T.C Kline took third place in the 2003 Touring 2 category in 2003, having being one of three Z33 that made it into the SCCA T-2 runoffs. In the SCCA GT2 class, Jim Goughary took the title it the car's debut season.
The car is used in import events and drifting, where in the latter, some drivers have started to use them in the D1 Grand Prix and Formula D series. However, at the 2006 D1GP exhibition event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Tanner Foust became the first driver to score a perfect 100 points in a 350Z. In the non-Japanese domestic D1GP spinoff series, D1 Great Britain (D1GB), there are two Z33s that compete in the series. Of the 2007 season, both SVA Imports and Sumo Power 350Z currently competes in the EDC (European Drift Championship), which is run by a different organization to D1, and in Formula D, Foust took runner up spot at round 1^[13] and at round 2, Chris Forsberg would score its maiden victory^[13] Foust currently leads the series.^[15] in his Roadster equipped with a VK56DE from a Nissan Titan^[16]. His win for the 350Z was followed up by Youichi Imamura's win during the Las Vegas round of the US D1GP series in his RB26DETT engined car.
Option magazine founder Daijiro Inada used an extensively modified 350Z, dubbed ''Option Stream Z'' to compete in the Silver State Classic Challenge.^[17] The car is equipped with a GReddy/Trust T88 turbo-charger and is stroked to 3.8 L to produce over 900 bhp.
As the Z33 is popular in import drag racing, one Z33 fielded by Performance Motorsport in the NHRA Sports Compact series, with twin turbo claims to put out over 1700 bhp and achieved 8.33 quarter mile time with its best speed of 176.72 mph. In 2004, the tuner Dandy and magazine Option a Z33 entered a Z33 known as the ''Option Dandy 380Z'' with a donor engine from a wrecked Stream Z minus turbocharger producing 370 bhp, to compete in the F/GT class for unblown grand touring sport cars at the Bonneville Speed Week. The car could at best reach 151 mph.^[18]

In pop culture

★ The car was also the vehicle driven by the villain "DK" and his henchman, Morimoto in the movie , where it was styled with a VeilSide body-kit and Toyo Tires.^[19]

★ The 350Z has also appeared in numerous motoring-based video games including: (in which it featured on the TV advert), , (as a tier 3 vehicle), Project Gotham Racing 2, Forza Motorsport,Forza Motorsport 2 (featured on the NTSC cover), Sega GT 2002 (also appears on the box cover of the Japanese version), Juiced, , L.A. Rush, Test Drive Unlimited (both the original and Nismo-tuned versions are available), (as a concept car),Gran Turismo 4 - of which a special, limited, "Nissan 350Z Gran Turismo Edition" was released.^[20] Nissan 350Zs are also available in , & . Forza Motorsport 2 features the cover box of a mid-heavy modified racing version of the Nissan 350Z and also as a sweepstakes car for contestants to win a customized version of the Nissan 350Z, affectionately called the "Nismo Z" by fans. In the Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune English versions, the 350Z is used to replace the Gemballa 3.8rs as the legendary "Black Bird".

★ The roadster 350Z is also driven by Edie Britt (played by Nicollette Sheridan) in the TV show Desperate Housewives.

★ The Autobot known as Prowl transforms into a Nissan 350Z in the 2006 '' comic.

★ A Nissan 350Z was used to spoof a popular Mitsubishi Eclipse car commercial on Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show.

★ A Nissan 350Z was featured in the FOX Television action series Fastlane.

★ Nissan released a short film of the 350Z blazing a high-speed trail through city streets. The film was directed by two-time Academy Award winner John Bruno ('True Lies', 'The Abyss' and 'Terminator 2'), with Hollywood stuntman Jimmy Roberts behind the wheel of a 2003 Track model driving at speeds of up to 200 km/h on a six and a half minute run through the narrow cobblestone streets of Prague in the Czech Republic.^[21]

★ A Nissan 350Z was given to George Hotz along with three 8GB Apple iPhones on August 2007 by certicell's co-founder Terry Daidone in exchange for the acclaimed first iPhone unlock which was unlocked by George on August 21 2007.^[22]

Specifications

	2003-04	2005	2006	2007
Available Trims		350Z (base), Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Track, Anniversary	350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring, Track	'Coupe:' Base, Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring, NISMO 'Roadster:' Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring
Powertrain
Engine	VQ35DE 3.5 L V6 287 bhp at 6,200 rpm 274 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm	VQ35DE 3.5 L V6 287 bhp at 6,200 rpm 274 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm VQ35DE 3.5 L V6 300 bhp at 6,400 rpm 260 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm	VQ35DE 3.5 L V6 300 bhp at 6,400 rpm 260 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm	VQ35HR 3.5 L V6 306 bhp at 6,800 rpm 268 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm
Transmission	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Curb Weight	'Coupe:' 3,188 lb (Base) 3,197 lb (Enth) 3,217 lb (Perf) 3,247 lb (Tour) 3,225 lb (Track) 'Roadster:' 3,428 lb (Enth) 3,462 lb (Tour)		'Coupe:' 3,339 lb (Base) 3,346 lb (Enth) 3,400 lb (Tour) 3,404 lb (Grand) ''TBD'' (NISMO) 'Roadster:' 3,580 lb (Enth) 3,600 lb (Tour) 3,602 lb (Grand)
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Length	169.8 in
Width	71.5 in
Height	52.1 in
Performance
0-60 mph	5.6 sec (6.84 m/s²)	7.1 sec (6.54 m/s²)		5.3 sec [23]
1/4 mile	14.8 sec @ 103.5 mph	14.2 sec @ 104.1 mph
Top speed	155 mph (250 km/h) software limited	155 mph (250 km/h) software limited

Reviews and awards

The 350Z has been given extensive coverage in the automotive press, and has obtained generally positive reviews. Eddie Alterman, senior editor of Automobile Magazine, said of the 350Z "An outstanding performance value. They got all the important stuff right."^[24] While David Swigg of Motor Trend said "With a competent driver at the wheel and the traction control switched off, many Boxster drivers would be hard-pressed to post better lap times than with this Z."^[25]
Automotive journalists tend to praise such features as the 350Z's value, performance, handling, and braking. While criticisms tend to be directed towards the grade of interior plastics, greater curb weight than its competitors, cabin ergonomics and engine refinement. However, Jeremy Clarkson of ''Top Gear'' had mostly negative things to say about the car, giving it a C- or three points out of ten, but later awarded the Nissan Designers with 2004 Top Gear Magazine Car of the year award.^[26] Other reviews have criticised reflections of the back strut in the rear windows.^[27][28]
At present, the 350Z has won over 40 international awards from various media and industry sources.

★ Japanese Performance Car of the Year 2007 ''TopSpeed Magazine''^[29]

★ 10 Best Cars 2003 ''Car and Driver'' Magazine^[30]

★ Most Significant Vehicle of the Year. Two years running ''Edmunds.com''^[31]

★ Editors' Most Wanted 2003 ''Edmunds.com''^[32]

★ International Car of the Year: Most Sex Appeal Award 2003 ''Road and Travel'' Magazine^[33]

★ Canadian Car of the Year 2003 ''Automobile Journalists Association of Canada''^[34]

★ Best New Design 2003 ''Automobile Journalists Association of Canada''^[35]

★ Driver's Choice Best Performance Car 2003 ''MotorWeek'' Television^[36]

★ Winner 12 Best Cars Under 30K ''Road & Track'' Magazine^[37]

★ Car of the Year 2004 ''Top Gear Magazine''^[26]

References

1. Internet auto guide - Nissan 350Z specifications
2. Brian Long. (2004), ''Nissan 300ZX and 350Z: The Z-car story'' :Veloce. ISBN 1904788041
3. Ron Sessions. (2002) ''Lust, Then Love: The Story of the New Z'', :Publications International. ISBN 0785375686
4. Brian Long. (2004), ''Nissan 300ZX and 350Z: The Z-car story'' :Veloce. ISBN 1904788041
5. Brian Long. (2004), ''Nissan 300ZX and 350Z: The Z-car story'' :Veloce. ISBN 1904788041
6. Grand Designers
7. Read entire thread for details on faulty rings|url=http://my350z.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232332&page=39
8. Nissan confirms production of 350Z GT-S
9. evo - Battle of the Sixes
10. New York Auto Show: NISMO 350Z shines at Nissan booth
11. NISMO 350Z Debuts
12. Renault to revive Alpine?
13. http://formulad.com/prochampionship.php
14. http://formulad.com/prochampionship.php
15. http://formulad.com/standings.php
16. http://www.chrisforsberg.com/the-cars
17. Vengeance of the Z Roger Hewson
18. http://freeplanets.jp/~FairladyZ/Z33-AutoSalon2005.html
19. Car of the Day:DK's 350Z
20. Nissan 350Z Gran Turismo 4
21. The Run
22. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070828/ap_on_re_us/odd_iphone_unlocked
23. Car And Driver 2007
24. 2003 Nissan 350Z Four Season Test
25. 350Z 1 Year Review
26. Top Gear Car of the Year 2004
27. Channel 4 Road Test: Nissan 350Z (2003-)
28. cars.uk.msn.com 350Z first drive
29. TopSpeed Japanese Performance Car of the Year 2007
30. Car and Driver 10 Best Cars 2003
31. Most Significant Vehicle of the Year 2003
32. Editors' Most Wanted 2003
33. Most Sex Appeal Award 2003
34. Canadian Car of the Year 2003
35. Best New Design 2003
36. Driver's Choice Award 2003
37. 12 Best Cars Under 30K
38. Top Gear Car of the Year 2004

Further reading

★ 2007 Nissan 350Z

★ New Nissan 350Z

★ 2007 Nismo 350z - Motor Trend