Market Snapshot

HIGH-PERFORMANCE NISSAN 350Z COMING SOON

Nissan will offer enthusiasts a highly modified version of its popular sports car: the 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z. This marks the first time the NISMO package is available for the 350Z. The automaker says that they’re capturing the level of an enthusiast that wants customization at the dealership, but with this, enthusiasts are also turning to the specialty-equipment industry for their custom parts and accessories. When automakers release custom versions of production vehicles, there are those enthusiasts that look to specialty-equipment companies to take these vehicles to the next level in customization. In fact, many specialty-equipment companies showed off custom Nissan 350Zs at the 2006 SEMA Show. There were a total of 15 of these cars on the Show floor, making it among the top ten car models at the SEMA Show.

The 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z will come with both styling and performance upgrades. Featuring an aggressive front fascia with chin spoiler, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with underbody diffuser and a rear wing, the NISMO 350Z produces additional aerodynamic downforce to provide enhanced cornering and handling performance, Nissan says. The NISMO 350Z also utilizes body dampers mounted in the front radiator-core support and in the rear cargo area, which assist in controlling body vibrations.

Additional performance features include a special NISMO-tuned independent multi-link suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8-inch front and 12.7-inch rear rotors) and NISMO-branded gunmetal gray RAYS forged-alloy wheels (18x9-inch front and 19x10-inch rear with 245/40WR18 front, 265/35WR19 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires). In addition, a NISMO-branded tuned exhaust adds to the performance of the 350Z’s 306-horsepower V6 engine.

 


The NISMO 350Z includes a full complement of 350Z standard features, including the new VQ35HR 3.5L V6 engine producing 306 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 268 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,800 rpm—with more than 90% of torque available between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm. Engine features include variable exhaust cam timing (eCVTCS), a 7,500-rpm rev limit and a symmetric twin Ram Air intake system.
The standard six-speed manual transmission features close-ratio gearing from first through fifth gears for high-performance driving and an overdrive sixth speed for highway fuel economy. For performance handling, standard on the NISMO 350Z is a Traction Control System (TCS) and Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD). Also standard is electronically controlled vehicle-speed-sensitive dual-orifice rack-and-pinion power-steering system, front and rear strut tower bracing, and four-wheel disc antilock braking system (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).

The 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2007. 

Sources: Nissan North America (March 28, 2007). “2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z Continues Tradition of Performance With Super GT Race-Inspired Styling and Features.” Nissan North America press release; SEMA Research and Information Center.