PistonHeads review Z
PistonHeads review Z
I won't call it a glowing review, but I think they like it
"NISSAN 350Z Tuesday 1st October
Canadian correspondent Nauman Farooq gets his mits on the new Z Car. Badge engineering or rebirth?
If you look at every great auto-producing nation in the world, they all have one thing in common, and that is they all have a sports car as their iconic car. For America, it's the Chevrolet Corvette, which has been with us for a remarkable 50 years. The style-conscious Italians might have a few choices for a symbol of their automotive expression, but the name that comes to most people's lips, is Ferrari. You Brits are of course spoiled for choice with Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lotus to name just three.
However, go east to Japan and you have the Z car. The "Z" car started life in 1970 as a Datsun with the 240Z and a long line of cars has resulted in a healthy DNA of sporting prowess even after rebranding as Nissan.
Newborn
The last generation 300ZX bowed out in 1996 and since then Nissan had nothing to truly represent the badge in North America. That however is no longer the case. Welcome to the present day and the reintroduction of the "Z" car in the new 2003 Nissan 350Z. This latest "Z" has nothing mechanically in common with the previous cars, but the "Z" DNA is very clear. The styling picks up on many cues from the original 240Z whilst bringing the whole concept very much into the 21st century.
On the outside it's tempting to draw parallels with Celica headlights, a 911 roofline and a rear not unlike the TT's. The large rear is compromised on the inside however with a strut brace reducing useful space dramatically.
That brace is there to stiffen up the rear and improve the handling. And handle it will, very nicely too. Whether you stay with the regular car (like the one I tested from Dermac Nissan in Brampton, Ontario - Canada) or opt for the track pack, you'll get a car that can handle most anything you can throw at it on a local road. This is a heavy car though and it does let you know it as you start pushing it in the corners, but trust the suspension design, trust the tyres, and most of all, trust Nissan's VDC system (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and the car can be doing things out of corners that will astound you. Granted, it might lack the delicacy and poise of its most immediate competitor, the Honda S2000, but it is still very impressive.
Screamer or Grunter?
Straight-line acceleration is pretty impressive. With that 3.5 litre, V6 engine, producing 287 hp, it really has a lot of go. Not that you'll feel it at the bottom-end though. Despite it's beefy looks, the 350 is a screamer not a grunter. Off the line, the car is not immediately fast. You have to build up the revs like in a VTEC Honda engine, and then, when it's breathing hard, you get the punch. The result is in a 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of about 250 km/h (155mph).
The brakes are good in standard trim but if you're feeling more ambitious there is a track pack which gets stronger Brembo brakes. Drive this car for any extended period of time and you'll see the direction Nissan intended to head with this car. Sadly, this is not a sports car; it's a sports tourer. It's at home cruising along the highways, giving you all the punch you need to blast past traffic with ease.
Pricing
You have to give it Nissan for some smart pricing. The entry-level car starts at CAN$44,900 (~£18,000) and the top of the line track pack version setting you back CAN$48,300. That puts it just beneath the Honda S2000 in the price category.
Nissan have some work to do in the marketing department though. Every non-enthusiast I showed the car to, asked if it would compete with the Hyundai Coupe or the Toyota Celica. It'll take some work to restore the reputation of the Z Car.
Z Cars Links
Nissan|nissan Owners"
Since my350Z is mentioned in their links, I don't think they'll mind my posting.
"NISSAN 350Z Tuesday 1st October
Canadian correspondent Nauman Farooq gets his mits on the new Z Car. Badge engineering or rebirth?
If you look at every great auto-producing nation in the world, they all have one thing in common, and that is they all have a sports car as their iconic car. For America, it's the Chevrolet Corvette, which has been with us for a remarkable 50 years. The style-conscious Italians might have a few choices for a symbol of their automotive expression, but the name that comes to most people's lips, is Ferrari. You Brits are of course spoiled for choice with Aston Martin, Jaguar and Lotus to name just three.
However, go east to Japan and you have the Z car. The "Z" car started life in 1970 as a Datsun with the 240Z and a long line of cars has resulted in a healthy DNA of sporting prowess even after rebranding as Nissan.
Newborn
The last generation 300ZX bowed out in 1996 and since then Nissan had nothing to truly represent the badge in North America. That however is no longer the case. Welcome to the present day and the reintroduction of the "Z" car in the new 2003 Nissan 350Z. This latest "Z" has nothing mechanically in common with the previous cars, but the "Z" DNA is very clear. The styling picks up on many cues from the original 240Z whilst bringing the whole concept very much into the 21st century.
On the outside it's tempting to draw parallels with Celica headlights, a 911 roofline and a rear not unlike the TT's. The large rear is compromised on the inside however with a strut brace reducing useful space dramatically.
That brace is there to stiffen up the rear and improve the handling. And handle it will, very nicely too. Whether you stay with the regular car (like the one I tested from Dermac Nissan in Brampton, Ontario - Canada) or opt for the track pack, you'll get a car that can handle most anything you can throw at it on a local road. This is a heavy car though and it does let you know it as you start pushing it in the corners, but trust the suspension design, trust the tyres, and most of all, trust Nissan's VDC system (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and the car can be doing things out of corners that will astound you. Granted, it might lack the delicacy and poise of its most immediate competitor, the Honda S2000, but it is still very impressive.
Screamer or Grunter?
Straight-line acceleration is pretty impressive. With that 3.5 litre, V6 engine, producing 287 hp, it really has a lot of go. Not that you'll feel it at the bottom-end though. Despite it's beefy looks, the 350 is a screamer not a grunter. Off the line, the car is not immediately fast. You have to build up the revs like in a VTEC Honda engine, and then, when it's breathing hard, you get the punch. The result is in a 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds and a top speed of about 250 km/h (155mph).
The brakes are good in standard trim but if you're feeling more ambitious there is a track pack which gets stronger Brembo brakes. Drive this car for any extended period of time and you'll see the direction Nissan intended to head with this car. Sadly, this is not a sports car; it's a sports tourer. It's at home cruising along the highways, giving you all the punch you need to blast past traffic with ease.
Pricing
You have to give it Nissan for some smart pricing. The entry-level car starts at CAN$44,900 (~£18,000) and the top of the line track pack version setting you back CAN$48,300. That puts it just beneath the Honda S2000 in the price category.
Nissan have some work to do in the marketing department though. Every non-enthusiast I showed the car to, asked if it would compete with the Hyundai Coupe or the Toyota Celica. It'll take some work to restore the reputation of the Z Car.
Z Cars Links
Nissan|nissan Owners"
Since my350Z is mentioned in their links, I don't think they'll mind my posting.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, Texas
<b>Nissan have some work to do in the marketing department though. Every non-enthusiast I showed the car to, asked if it would compete with the Hyundai Coupe or the Toyota Celica. It'll take some work to restore the reputation of the Z Car.</b>
This jackass is obviously smoking crack. Probably drives a Honda. C'mon, Hyundai??? Gimme a break, for chrissake.
This jackass is obviously smoking crack. Probably drives a Honda. C'mon, Hyundai??? Gimme a break, for chrissake.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 1
From: Hawaii
Interesting and rather fair review article. The Z is not for the non-enthusiast, IMO. It has a loyal niche following that can only be appreciated by the commitment and fervor that its members display. Thus to say that the non-enthusiasts mistake this car for a Celica or Hyundai does not surprise me. Because they're NOT enthusiasts 
!
Nissan will not have trouble selling this car. It will not be selling like the Camry or Accord, but it will have a steady flow of enthusiasts and followers.
!Nissan will not have trouble selling this car. It will not be selling like the Camry or Accord, but it will have a steady flow of enthusiasts and followers.
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