Nissan · 2002–2008

Nissan 350Z

The Nissan 350Z (known as Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) in Japan) is a two-door, two-seater sports car that was manufactured by Nissan Motor Corporation from 2002 until 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model from August 2002. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut until the following year. Initially, the coupe came in Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track versions, while the Roadster was limited to Enthusiast and Touring trim levels. The Track trim came with lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes, but its suspension tuning was the same as all other coupes. The Nissan 350Z was succeeded by the 370Z for the 2009 model year, although the roadster was sold alongside the 370Z for 2009.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Nissan 300ZX · Successor: Nissan 370Z

All Nissan 350Z data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

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After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year.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. The 240Z concept was produced for the Detroit Motor Show during the following August and September. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) 2.4 L KA24DE engine that was going to be assigned made the car feel underpowered. They also felt the car was considered too "retro" or too "backward" resembling a futuristic 240Z; hence, a redesign was commissioned. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn announced plans to produce the car as he felt the new model would help to assist the company's recovery. The Z Concept was unveiled in Detroit Motor Show two years later, which was similar in body shape but with a new front end. The car then underwent a minor redesign and was eventually assigned the 3.5 L VQ35DE engine, hence becoming known as the 350Z.

Concept models

=== Middle Sport (1997) === In the mid-1990s, Nissan planned a replacement for the Z32 generation. The prototype was named "Middle Sports". The "Middle Sports" featured a 2.4-litre inline 4 KA24DE tuned to 200 horsepower and 256 Nm of torque, mounted in a front-midship configuration. Based from the redesigned 240SX. the front bumper resembles the 240ZG, but the front bumper design, rear taillights, and black pinstripes on the sides also show strong influences from the Z32. The rear side windows have been made smaller and the C-pillar appears thicker, suggesting a design that was intended to be a two-seater. 240Z concept (1999). Nissan unveiled the 240Z concept car at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, then later at the Los Angeles Auto Expo. The concept was based primarily on a design sketch by Manny Baker of Nissan's California design studio. In a reference to the original, it was a bright orange two-seater with swept-back styling. It was a fully functional car with its 2.4 L 4-cylinder KA24DE engine from the Nissan Altima producing 200 bhp (149 kW) and 180 lb⋅ft (244 N⋅m) of torque, and not the Z-car's traditional 6-cylinder engine. It was thought a less than worthy successor to the line. The designers used an original 240Z to provide inspiration and the concept was created in only 12 weeks. Automotive critics described "it would be cool but get a new model." This design served the intended purpose of creating interest, in the public and the corporation, for a new Z car.

Design and layout

The 350Z is a front mid engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-door, two-seat sports car primarily designed by Ajay Panchal, part of a design team led by Diane Allen of Nissan Design America in San Diego, California in 2000. This program was inspired by the successful reception to the 1998 240Z concept model. The vehicle has the long-hood short-deck design common to the Z-Car family. External design highlights include: sloping fastback style arched roof line, unique brushed aluminum door handles, high waistline, and bulging fenders that are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle. The Interior design has brushed aluminum accents. The main gauge pod is mounted directly to the steering column allowing its movement to coincide with steering wheel adjustments. Additional gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster (similar to the 240Z/260Z/280Z). Touring models are equipped with the Bose sound system, a six CD changer and a 8-inch Bose subwoofer mounted behind the driver's seat. The 350Z's interior does not have a conventional glove box, but has storage compartments located behind and between the two seats.

Models

Unveiled in 2001 Tokyo Motor Show as the pre-production model, then released in July 2002 in Japan at reorganized Nissan Japanese dealerships called Nissan Blue Stage, and August 20, 2002, in the U.S., the 350Z coupé was available in 5 trim packages: '350Z' (Base), 'Enthusiast', 'Performance', 'Touring', and 'Track' editions. In Europe, only the 'Track' trim was available, although it was badged and marketed as '350Z'. The Base model did not include a VLSD or Traction Control and was only available with cloth seats. It did not include cruise control, nor power or heated seats. The Enthusiast model came with traction control, a VLSD, and cruise control. The Performance model came with larger 18-inch wheels, front air dam, rear spoiler, optional Brembo brakes, and VDC instead of Traction Control. Touring was made more of the luxury model. It had power, leather, heated seats, VDC, a VLSD, xenon headlamps, optional Brembo brakes, 18-inch wheels, and optional GPS Navigation. The Track model included Brembo brakes, front air dam, rear spoiler, traction control, cloth seats, 18-inch wheels, VLSD, and optional GPS Navigation. In 2004 Nissan introduced the 350Z Roadster with an electrically retractable soft-top roof. In the U.S. market the car was available in two trim packages (Enthusiast and Touring), while in Europe, the same versions as the coupé were offered. Nissan added the Grand Touring (GT) trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005. In 2005 Nissan launched the 35th Anniversary edition, with a revised exterior and interior (see Special Editions below). Early 2005 model-year 35th anniversary edition models were equipped with the original VQ35DE engine with 287HP/274TQ and an automatic transmission. In January 2005, Nissan introduced the 35th Anniversary 6-speed manual m

Special editions

=== Fairlady Z Type E (2004) === A total of 5 units, called the Type E, were produced in Japan for homologation requirements to compete in the Super GT series. It has a longer nose and rear overhang, as well as several add-ons for aerodynamic purposes. The Type-E engine is rated at 213.99 kW (287 hp; 291 PS) at 6,200 rpm and 363 N⋅m (268 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,800 rpm. 350Z 35th Anniversary Edition (2005). To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the debut of the Datsun 240Z, Nissan released a tuned version of the 350Z coupé. The 35th Anniversary Z was exhibited at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on November 2, followed by the Miami Auto Show in early November. It went on sale in January 2005. The 35th Anniversary Edition includes an updated VQ35DE 300 hp (224 kW) V6 engine for the six-speed manual transmission model. Other equipment (standard on six-speed manual-equipped versions) includes 18 inches (457 mm) cast aluminum-alloy wheels, front spoilers, Brembo brakes and special Z badging. The car was available in a special "Ultra Yellow", "Silverstone grey","Super Black" and "Pearl Blue" colors. The interior was also available with a black set configuration. Also included was a Bose 6-speaker premium sound system. A version of the 35th Anniversary Edition with a Gran Turismo 4 video game tie-in was also made. 350Z GT-S concept. During the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) unveiled the 350Z GT-S Concept. The GT-S had a unique radial flow supercharger that could be turned on or off via a switch on the dashboard, raising the VQ35DE engine output to 382.6 bhp (285.3 kW; 387.9 PS) and 424.8 N⋅m (313.3 lb⋅ft) without modifications to the engine components. The car also had new body kit for more cooling a

Nismo editions

Nissan's performance tuning division, Nismo, began producing modified versions of the 350Z shortly after its introduction. Nismo R-Tune (2004). The R-Tune was a kit sold directly to customers with modifications including new headers, cams, pulleys. The R-Tune voids the Nissan factory warranty, but gains significant horsepower, intended for track racers. Nismo S-Tune GT (2005). The S-Tune GT was released by Nismo to celebrate its success in the Super GT series. The S-Tune GT had revised long nose bodywork as in the Type-E, a modified version of the VQ35DE engine called the S1 which featured more power (316 PS (232 kW; 312 hp)) and a higher redline (7,200 rpm), as well as a sportier Nismo suspension. 20 were produced each month in Japan. Although Nissan did not officially sell S-Tune in UK, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd. imported 1 S-Tune GT to UK. Nismo 350Z (2007–2008). The Nismo edition of the Nissan 350Z Coupé debuted at the New York International Auto Show on April 4, 2007. This version had the same engine as the regular 350Z (VQ35HR), but was only available with a 6-speed manual transmission and a viscous-type limited-slip differential (VLSD), Traction Control System (TCS) and a 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 an underbody diffuser and a rear wing. The vehicle also featured Nismo-tuned independent multi-link suspension developed by Yamaha, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8-inch (330 mm) front and 12.7-inch (320 mm) rear rotors) and Nismo-branded gunmetal grey RAYS forged alloy wheels and a Nismo-branded tuned exhaust. Yamaha also included front and rear dampeners to help with stability of the cha

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Specifications

name: Nissan 350Z (Z33)
Manufacturer: Nissan
aka: Nissan Fairlady Z
Production: July 2002–2008 (Coupe), 2003–2008 (Roadster)
Assembly: Japan: Oppama (2002–2003), Japan: Kaminokawa, Tochigi (2003–2008)
Designer: Ajay Panchal at Nissan Design America (2000)
Class: Sports car (S)
Body style: 2-door hatchback coupé, 2-door roadster
Platform: Nissan FM platform
Related: Infiniti G35, Nissan Skyline (V35)
Layout: Front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine: 3.5 L VQ35DE V6, 3.5 L VQ35HR V6
Transmission: 6-speed FS6R31A manual5-speed RE5R05A automatic
Wheelbase: 2649 mm
Length: 4303 mm (2003–2005), 4314 mm (2006–2008)
Width: 1816 mm
Height: 1318 mm (2003–2005 Hatch), 1328 mm (2003–2005 Roadster), 1324 mm (2006–2008 Hatch), 1334 mm (2006–2008 Roadster)
Kerb weight: 3117.4 –
Predecessor: Nissan 300ZX (Z32)
Successor: Nissan 370Z (Z34)
Model years: 2003–2009