Nissan’s 350Z has been dramatically revised for 2006, but with power up (and torque down) it still makes for very entertaining driving, CAR’s Ian McLaren discovers.
by Ian McLaren, CAR photojournalist
If you’ve laboured through either of the sequels to the movie, in particular the third, Tokyo-based, instalment, you would have noticed a certain Nissan 350Z featured as one of the stars of the show. Souped up 350Zs are unashamedly glamorised by Hollywood as actors (ahem, stuntpeople!) skilfully pilot the sports cars, more-often-than-not sideways, through varied underground car parks and mountain passes. Be that as it may, the latest Z-car is a superb looking motor vehicle and a true rear-wheel drive sportscar in every sense.
While the car’s sports credibility continues to gain momentum through success at the top end of this year’s tightly contested South African national production car series, Nissan SA has unveiled revisions to the road-going versions.
The latest 350Z’s most striking design feature is undoubtedly the new 18-inch rims that fill the wheels arches with a tad more presence, and dare we say “bling”, than on the previous model. Other exterior changes include revised front headlamps, a wider new grille up front, and restyled tail lamps, incorporating LED lights, at the rear.
The cabin gains improved storage space, new soft-touch material linings, fresh instrumentation and neat (genuine) aluminium finishes to most shiny surfaces.
Mechanically, a revised camshaft and new variable valve on the exhaust aid the shifted rev limiter in increasing power over the outgoing model from 206 to 216 kW. Torque, however, has been decreased from 363 to 350 N.m at 4 800 r/min in an effort to make the driving experience even smoother than before. This was made evident on our test route in Port Elizabeth this week where the cars performed with effortless poise.
Most noticeable through on our drive was the way the 350Z handles everyday road conditions. While the ride is still sporty, most bumps and imperfections were taken in its stride without unsettling the car’s balance. Gear change through the six-speed ‘box is fairly notchy, but easily adapted to, while flooring the throttle from the minor gears without the required finesse will result in the traction control light flaring up on the dash.
We wouldn’t recommend attempting to recreate any of the driving styles seen on the big screen, but it is clear to see why this car was cast – assuming great balance, together with plenty of power moving to the rear wheels – formed the criteria.
The latest revision to the Nissan 350Z is applicable through both the coupé and the roadster with price tags of R 398 000 for the former and R 430 000 for the open top.
