G E A R E D - I N

Never has the passing of an automobile line been as felt as the loss of the two greatest Japanese sportscar legends: the Nissan 300ZX and the Mazda RX-7.  No doubt affected by the global recession and weakening demand for high-performance cars, these two became nothing more than legend.

Though still being sold in limited quantities in its homeland of Japan, the rest of the world felt that the absence of these flagship sportscars meant that both Nissan and Mazda materially loss their respective brand imaging.  Though both continued to make reliable, easy-to-own automobiles, there was less passion—as if the passion was drained out for the sake of the bottom line.

Nissan 350Z

In the mid-1990’s, both of these companies suffered major losses, and it took the help of a corporate takeover in order to resurrect them to their former glory.  Nissan is a perfect example.  Taken in by the French manufacturer, Renault, Nissan immediately became the target of massive cost-cutting measures such as factory closures as well as lay-offs.  The plans all made perfect sense, bringing Nissan back into the black.  However, Nissan President Carlos Ghosn had one particular project that didn’t fit the entire strategy for Nissan: the resurrection of the Z car.

At that time, it made little sense for a car company that has been struggling to invest a huge sum of money to create a new sportscar.  That was, until the blueprint was showed off to the public.  The goal was simple: to create a two-seater coupe that is clearly modern, but carries on the Z tradition.  In addition, to make it successful, it had to be cheap—priced at around USD 30,000.

The final result was nothing short of fantastic.  The new rear-wheel drive platform serves as a shortened version of the Infiniti G35’s—which will be the basis for the new GT-R.  The suspension system boasts of an Independent Multi-Link arrangement for both front and back, emphasizing on the 350Z’s sporty demeanor. 

Powering the new Z car is Nissan’s highly potent and smooth V6 engine plucked straight from the VQ family.  With a lengthened bore, the resulting 3.5-liter displacement meant that the 350Z has a horsepower rating of 287 bhp and 371 Nm.  In addition, the VQ35DE features an expanded power range thanks to the reworking of the intake port as well as the addition of the Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System or CVTCS.  Mated to a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, the 350Z can accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in the region of 6.0 seconds—putting it in the same league as a Jaguar XK8 and a Porsche Boxster.

In terms of design, the 350Z is certainly aggressive with its slim profile and low beltline that are contrasted with bulging flared fenders.  18-inch tires fill the wheel arches all around, measuring 225/45 up front and 245/45 at the back.  The rear is certainly similar to the Z concept, characterized by dropping triangular taillamps and a sloping roofline that’s similar to a Porsche 911.

The interior tells a tale of both being retro and fresh at the same time.  The large tachometer flanked by a speedometer and temperature/fuel gauge.  Much like the original 240Z, the 350Z has three smaller auxiliary gauges which are placed on the top of the center dash. 

Thanks to an all-aluminum engine and an extensive weight-loss program, the 350Z is bantam at 1431 kilograms.  It makes the latest Z car the closest in spirit to the original one back in the 1970’s.

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