Nissan 350Z 2004 News

The next Z will be ready for the road in less than two years as Nissan works flat out on a replacement for the luxury Maxima, an updated Micra baby and perhaps a Silvia sports coupe.

The Japanese carmaker has given its angry two-seater even more fizz with what is virtually a new engine, even if the only hint on the outside is a bulge in the bonnet and the new hue. Nissan spokesman Karl Gehling says the power bulge is not for show. It’s needed to fit the bigger powerplant. Capacity remains the same, but the 3.5-litre V6 is new from the bottom up, with 80 per cent of the engine’s major parts being re-designed. It’s taller, but weighs less than the old model. While the increase in performance is modest on paper, power is up 9kW to 230kW and torque up 5Nm to 358Nm, Nissan spokesman Karl Gehling says it’s a substantial step forward. “The numbers are better, but the big change is the engine is more refined, revs higher, and the power is far more usable,” Gehling says. Unlike the power figure, pricing has not risen, the coupe still from $62,990 and the roadster from $73,990.

Not much, according to Nissan. The 35th Anniversary 350Z is about to go on sale and to mark the occasion Nissan has distinguished it with 15 extra kW, 800 more revs, a different 18-inch wheel, 10 less Newtonmetres of torque, a new paint treatment ... and a unique, spiffy ultra yellow paintjob (if you want it). But what of the distinguishing badges, you ask? Nope. Nothing. Nada. In a few years time – or perhaps within 12 months – this one is going to be barely distinguishable from the common or garden variety Track versions. "There was no reason to put a special badge on the car," Nissan Australia product marketing manager Michael Hayes said at this week's launch. "It is something that was looked at this is a car that will stand alone on its merits." No argument that the 350Z is a special car. The drive program for the Anniversary model (across the Victorian Alps) showed yet again just how special this is. It also underlined just how little difference there is between the Track manual and the Anniversary. For the $2000 premium on the Anniversary ($67,990, 6-speed manual only) you get the wheels, the colour and the right to kid yourself you noticed the difference in power. The lift from 206kW to 221kW makes little or no discernible difference to the feel of the 350Z. Neither does the loss of 10Nm of urge. Under the bonnet is one of the world's great V6 engines. The 3.5-litre 24-valve DOHC unit is smooth as silk and strong as steel. The car still leaps away from stationary with wonderful enthusiasm, has glorious mid-range urge in all gears and spins happily right to the redline -- in this case, 7000rpm. There is a cost for those extra revs with fuel consumption slightly higher in the upper-11l/100km range. Dynamically, the 350Z Anniversary is the match of its Track donor and being essentially the same car there's no reason it wouldn't be. The ride can be a little jiggly at times, there is slight kickback through the very communicative steering when under full load and the gap between second and third leaves the driver a betwixt-and-between on occasion ... but they are minor irritations. Roomy, comfortable and stylish, in a Japanese way, the interior offers an environment well suited to the car's dynamic capabilities. Apart from the Anniversary's "unique" touchups, the entire 350Z range has been given a minor makeover. Automatics now include Nissan's Downshift Rev Matching, a computer-controlled blip of the throttle to optimise downshifts. The manual shifter gets a brush-up with a more refined feel. The Roadster is the big winner with switchable Vehicle Dynamic Control and the performance Brembo brake package to match the Track and Anniversary.