Nissan 350 Information

Car History: Nissan 350 Z

The Nissan 350Z is a coupe and roadster built by Nissan. It was introduced in August 2002 and is the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line, carrying the chassis designation Z33.

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 however unhappy with the first design as they felt the car was considered too "retro" or too "backward" resembling a futuristic 240Z thus a redesign was underway. 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 after the first. The car then undergone a minor redesign and was assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence the car became known as the 350Z.

Released on August 20, 2002, the 2003 350Z was available in the US in 5 trim packages, including the Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track Editions. Pricing started in the US$26k range for a Base, and went beyond US$34k for the Track model. Nissan's performance and motorsport division, Nismo, began producing performance and aesthetic upgrades for the 350Z shortly after its release.

In the UK & Europe two versions of the 350Z were available from October 2003, namely the Base and GT packs. The GT pack had leather seats, uprated Bose Stereo system and cruise control over the Base model. Pricing in the UK was set at GB£24k for the Base model and GB£26.5k for the GT pack. After about a year of the 350z being released in the UK, the NISMO kit became an optional extra for new cars only. Another limitation of the UK & Euro releases was the choice of colours being limited to the renamed Gunmetal, Kuro, Chilli, Blade & Sunset.

In 2004, Nissan introduced the 350Z Roadster version. The roadster came in 2 trim packages, the Enthusiast and Touring editions. Again, in the UK & Europe, this was limited to a Base and GT pack choice, with the addition of the Aero Seats.

In 2005, Nissan added the 35th Anniversary edition. The 2005 35th Anniversary edition (6-speed manual only; the automatic was limited to 287 hp / 214 kW) and 2005 Track trims both produce 300 hp (224 kW) - exactly twice the output of the original 1969 Datsun 240Z. In addition, the 35th Anniversary edition came with special options such as special side "Z" emblems and 5-spoke wheels. 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.

Nissan also added the Grand Touring trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005. Since the anniversary edition, all 6-speed models are now the 300 hp/260 ft·lbf. (224 kW / 353 N·m) output version.