History

Style and evolution

The 350Z is the latest sports car from Nissan and is the fifth (and current) generation of Nissan's Z-car line, originally introduced in 1969 (as a 1970 model year) as the Datsun 240Z. It took the place of the late 300ZX of the mid 1990s. Initially released as a 2003 model, it is also known around the world as the Fairlady Z and has the official Nissan chassis code: Z33. The 300ZX had the chassis codes Z31 and Z32. It is currently available in several trim packages and is sold as both a 2 door coupé and roadster.

The car has become a favorite for aftermarket performance companies and tuners. There are near infinite choices of aftermarket parts

After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year.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

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 (150 kW) 2.4L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be assigned made the car more underpowered, 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.

The redesigned model, now known as the Z Concept, which was similar in body shape 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.

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.

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.

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 'Track' version (with standard Rays wheels) was sold, although it wasn't badged or marketed as such. The optional GT pack includes heated leather seats, Bose stereo system, and cruise control. 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 roof. 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 (220 kW) 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 (220 kW) / 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 (228 kW) at 6800 rpm with 268 ft-lb 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.

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."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."

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. Other reviews have criticized reflections of the back strut in the rear windows.

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
• 10 Best Cars 2003 Car and Driver Magazine
• Most Significant Vehicle of the Year. Two years running Edmunds.com
• Editors' Most Wanted 2003 Edmunds.com
• International Car of the Year: Most Sex Appeal Award 2003 Road and Travel Magazine
• Canadian Car of the Year 2003 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada
• New Design 2003 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada
• Driver's Choice Best Performance Car 2003 MotorWeek Television
• Car of the Year 2004 Top Gear Magazine