Actually, this time sounds plausible for a manual transmission 350Z, given the rear-end gearing, acumen of the tester, the powerband of the engine, and atmospheric conditions. Someone please refresh my memory - I thought I read the Z's SOTP acceleration is a decent torque feel that builds up linearly across the RPM range to the torque peak and beyond - similar to a BMW. I recently rode in an '01 BMW 3 Series (330 model) and could distinguish that feel vs. the more "instant-on" between 2500 and 4800 RPM of the Mustang GT I drive now. I could forsee a test driver not immediately getting the feel of the powerband and losing a little bit of time off the line.

I think the Z excels in the top-end range, as shown by the 100+ mph speeds from recent tests. If NISMO were to offer different gear sets, I think those lower 5 sec 0-60s and under 14 sec 1/4 miles would be more likely to regularly occur.

This is one thing the 4.6L V8 Mustangs of the last 6 years have been criticized for as compared to their GM rivals - not having a powerband with enough low-end torque to get a good launch in the 0-60 acceleration wars. A lot of people with Mustangs will switch out the rear-end gears to compensate, giving them the ability to keep up in the 0-60 mph range. Of course, without other power adders, they lose out on the top end, when the influence of horsepower makes for the higher 1/4 mile times.

All this said, the 350Z will be giving many cars quite a run for their money. I remember not too long ago when Corvettes ran in this acceleration range for thousands more than the base and enthusiast models of this Z.