The Nissan 350Z, known in Japan as the Fairlady Z (Z33), was a two-door, two-seater sports car built from 2002 to 2009. It was the fifth generation of the Z-car line. It entered production in 2002 and was sold as a 2003 model from August 2002.
Nissan 350Z at a glance
| Also called | Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002–2009 |
| Engine | 3.5-litre VQ35DE V6 |
| Layout | front mid engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Bodies | coupé from 2002, roadster from 2003 |
| Coupé trims | Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Track |
| Roadster trims | Enthusiast and Touring |
| Europe | Track trim only, badged 350Z |
| Design | Nissan Design America, San Diego |
| Successor | Nissan 370Z |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan 350Z.
History of the Nissan 350Z
Bringing the Z back
After the 300ZX left the US market in 1996, Nissan tried to keep the Z name alive by recreating the 240Z. The car was conceived by Nissan’s North American design team in their free time and shown to the press, dealers and employees in a four-state road show in July 1998. The 240Z concept appeared at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, built in only twelve weeks on a design sketch by Manny Baker and powered by a 200 bhp 2.4-litre KA24DE four. Critics thought it less than a worthy successor, but it created the interest the company needed, and in February 2000 Carlos Ghosn announced the car would be produced.
Design and layout
The production car was designed by Ajay Panchal in a team led by Diane Allen at Nissan Design America in San Diego in 2000. It has the long-hood, short-deck shape of the Z family, with a sloping fastback roofline, brushed aluminium door handles, a high waistline and bulging fenders at the corners. Inside there are brushed aluminium accents, a main gauge pod fixed to the steering column and a centre triple gauge cluster recalling the 240Z, 260Z and 280Z. Touring cars had a Bose system with a subwoofer behind the driver’s seat. There is no conventional glovebox; storage sits behind and between the seats.
Models
The pre-production car was shown at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show and the coupé went on sale in Japan in July 2002 and in the United States on 20 August 2002. Five trims were offered in America: Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track. The Track had lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes but the same suspension tuning as other coupés; the Base lacked a limited-slip differential and traction control. The roadster followed and was limited to Enthusiast and Touring. In Europe only the Track trim was sold, badged simply 350Z. The 370Z replaced it for 2009, though the roadster was sold alongside for that year.
Design and features
- VQ35DE V6: a 3.5-litre engine in a front mid-mounted position.
- Long-hood shape: the classic Z proportions drawn in San Diego.
- Three gauges on the dash: a nod to the 240Z, 260Z and 280Z.
- Track trim: lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes for the enthusiast.
Nissan 350Z versions
- 350Z coupé (2002–2009): Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track.
- 350Z roadster (2003–2009): Enthusiast and Touring only.
- European 350Z: the Track trim under a single name.
- 240Z concept (1999): the four-cylinder show car that started the programme.
The 350Z followed the 300ZX and was replaced by the 370Z. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Sources
- Nissan 350Z, English Wikipedia: concept history, design, trims, markets
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