Nissan 350z

The Nissan 350Z

 is a two seater sports car that was manufactured by Nissan from 2002–2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. The first year there was only a coupe, as the roadster did not debut until the following year. Initially, the coupe came in base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring and Track versions, while the roadster was limited to Enthusiast and Touring trim levels. The Track trim came with lightweight wheels and Brembo brakes, but its suspension tuning was the same as all other coupes. The Nissan 350Z has been succeeded by the 370Z for the 2009 model year.


Background
After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240z the following year. The car was conceived by Nissan's North American design team in their free time, and the concept was introduced in a four state Road Show in July 1998 to various car media, dealers and employees. Yutaka Katayama, regarded as the "Father of the Z" unveiled the Z concept sketch to the public when he received a motor industry award. The design, representing a modern vision of the 240Z, did not please the original 240Z designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, who compared it to the Bluebird and Leopard.


The 240Z concept was produced for the Detroit Motor Show for the following August and September. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp (149 kW; 203 PS) 2.4 L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be assigned made the car feel underpowered, they also felt the car was considered too "retro" or too "backward" resembling a futuristic 240Z; thus, a redesign was commissioned. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn announced plans to produce the car as he felt the new model would help to assist the company's recovery.
Z Concept was unveiled in Detroit Motor Show two years later, which was similar in body shape but with a new front end. The car then underwent a minor redesign and was eventually assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence becoming known as the 350Z.

Specifications

	2003-04	2005	2006	2007	2008
Available Trims	350Z (base), Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Track	350Z (base), Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, Track, Anniversary	350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring, Track	Coupé: Base, Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring, NISMO Roadster: Enthusiast, Touring, Grand Touring
Powertrain
Engine	VQ35DE 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6 287 bhp (214 kW) at 6,200 rpm 274 ft·lbf (371 N·m) at 4,800 rpm	VQ35DE 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6 287 bhp (214 kW) at 6,200 rpm 274 ft·lbf (371 N·m) at 4,800 rpm VQ35DE 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6,400 rpm 260 ft·lbf (350 N·m) at 4,800 rpm	VQ35DE 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6 300 bhp (220 kW) at 6,400 rpm 260 ft·lbf (350 N·m) at 4,800 rpm	VQ35HR 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6 306 bhp (228 kW) at 6,800 rpm 268 ft·lbf (363 N·m) at 4,800 rpm
Transmission	6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Curb Weight	Coupé: 3,188 lb (1,446 kg) (Base) 3,197 lb (1,450 kg) (Enth) 3,217 lb (1,459 kg) (Perf) 3,247 lb (1,473 kg) (Tour) 3,225 lb (1,463 kg) (Track) Roadster: 3,428 lb (1,555 kg) (Enth) 3,462 lb (1,570 kg) (Tour)		Coupé: 3,339 lb (1,515 kg) (Base) 3,346 lb (1,518 kg) (Enth) 3,400 lb (1,500 kg) (Tour) 3,404 lb (1,544 kg) (Grand) 3,353 lb (1,521 kg) (NISMO) Roadster: 3,580 lb (1,620 kg) (Enth) 3,600 lb (1,600 kg) (Tour) 3,602 lb (1,634 kg) (Grand)
Wheelbase	104.3 in (2,650 mm)
Length	169.8 in (4,310 mm)
Width	71.5 in (1,820 mm)
Height	52.1 in (1,320 mm)