Top Gear's number one coupe has cool looks and plentiful performance

Every now and again, car manufacturers get it so right that it's almost shocking. They produce a car that's almost impossible to fault and has everyone in the Top Gear office united in praise.

The Nissan 350Z is one of those cars. That's why it swept the board at the 2004 Top Gear Awards, scooping the ultimate honour - our Car of the Year Award.

Thing is, the formula that produced this all-conquering coupe isn't exactly rocket science: take a beefy engine that makes a great noise and stick it at the front of a chassis, driving the rear wheels, then wrap it all up in a sexy-looking body.

Sounds too simple to be true, but that's basically how the 350Z shapes up.

There's more to it than that, of course. Not least, the heritage of the Z badge, rekindling memories of the original Datsun 240Z - a proper sports car with a grunty six-cylinder engine and a low price tag which sold in massive numbers throughout the Seventies.

Focused on that car's best aspects, the 350Z is compact and has a ruddy great 3.5-litre, 24-valve, variable-valve-timing-equipped V6 powerplant sending 276bhp to those rear wheels.

There's a hint of the 240Z in its profile, but the detailing is just as innovative as an Audi TT's.

The characterful styling continues inside, with deeply cowled, metallic-ringed instruments focused towards the driver. The cluster of rev counter, speedo and fuel gauge adjusts up and down with the steering column.

There are cross-drilled pedals and the low-set, supportive driver's seat is cut away to give easy access to the gear lever.

The 350Z is one of those cars that you get into and immediately think, 'yes!' Everything feels absolutely spot-on, and the use of the Z logo on the steering wheel taps you in to all that cool heritage.

It's when you start up the V6 and let rip its fruity rasp that the fun really starts. From standstill to 60mph takes just 5.9 seconds - not record-breaking stuff, but pretty respectable all the same. And, from the driver's seat, it certainly feels plenty fast enough.

Underneath, a sophisticated aluminium multi-link suspension is more than capable of keeping the driver entertained. Through the corners, there's a great point-and-squirtability to the Z, with plenty of grip. But the really good bit is that there's not too much - there's plenty of scope for controllable tail-out entertainment.

To add to the enthusiast-oriented feel, there's a six-speed gearbox with a precise, short-throw action and weighty speed-sensitive steering.

The 350Z has the right shape, the right noise, the right pace and the right price. You don't get any righter than that.