1000km Road Test - Nissan 350Z Touring

The Nissan Z badge first appeared in 1969 on the 240Z (in those days it was a Datsun), which went on to become a best seller around the world. Since then, there have been some good, and some pretty ordinary, Z cars. Nissan's latest effort, the 350Z sees a return to form. It's a very well sorted sports car at a sharp price.

Value for money

Pricing

The 350Z Touring costs $59,990; the higher specified Track version is $65,990. A five-speed automatic is available on the Touring for an extra $2,800.

Warranty

Three years/100,000 km, which is average.

Standard features

The 350Z is well equipped with leather upholstery, heated seats, power windows and mirrors, a Bose audio system with in-dash six-CD stacker, automatic airconditioning, cruise control and a trip computer.

The Touring uses 17-inch alloy wheels, fitted with 225/50 (front) and 235/50 (rear) Bridgestone RE040 tyres.

The extra $6,000 for the Track buys Brembo brakes, stability control, a more aerodynamic body kit and 18-inch alloys with 225/45 (front) 245/45 (rear) rubber.

Retained value

The Z nameplate has been absent from Australia since the mid 1990s, so no recent resale value history is available.

Design and function

Ergonomics

The driver's seat has plenty of travel and head room is fine. Travel and backrest angle are power adjustable.

The instrument pod is attached to the steering column shroud, so when you adjust wheel height you maintain a clear view through to the instruments themselves.

You sit low and stretched out in the Z. Vision is reasonable by the usual restrictive coup' standards, but you have no idea where the extremities of the car end, so parking it in tight spaces is a challenge.

The tacho is centrally placed; three retro style hero dials (volts, oil and the trip computer display) sit in the centre of the dash above the reasonably user friendly audio/air control panels. Cruise control switches are on the wheel.

Innovation

The Z uses a traditional front engine/rear drive layout. The 3.5 litre V6 has variable valve timing and an electronic accelerator. The driveshaft is a single-piece carbon fibre reinforced plastic unit, which saves around 40 kg over a conventional steel item.

Safety

The 350Z has not yet been independently crash tested. It features six airbags (front/side/curtain) and seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Security

Remote central locking and immobiliser security are standard.

Comfort

The driver's seat is a beauty, with thick leather upholstery, heating, generous padding, long travel and great support from knee to shoulder.

Though the seat is narrow, the bolstering has enough give in it so it doesn't bite the hips or kidneys, yet it is sufficiently firm to hold you securely when cornering.

Space and practicality

Oddment storage in front of the driver is minimal. There's no glove box and tiny door bins. Small covered bins in the dash and between the seats, plus a sunglasses holder, are provided.

Behind the seats are three larger bins, one big enough to hold a laptop bag, and a 12 volt outlet.

Boot space is compromised by the steeply angled rear window and a body brace which runs across the middle. You won't be able to carry bulky objects, but capacity is sufficient for two people's gear on a weekend trip. A space saver spare is under the floor.

Build and finish quality

The body feels very tight. Its rigidity is assisted by bracing at both ends.

The Z's interior thought is not quite up to scratch in materials or fit and finish.

The use of fake metal is overdone, some of the hard plastics would be questionable in a $20,000 hatchback, and a few trim pieces in the test car were not tightly fastened.

On the road

Fuel efficiency

The 3.5 litre V6's flexible power delivery, allied with six gear ratios, assist it in achieving good fuel economy. On the highway, it uses 8.7-10 litres/100 km, while in town this rises to 13-15 litres/100 km.

Performance

The 3.5 litre V6 is the latest incarnation of the lauded VQ engine which first appeared in 3.0 litre form in 1994.

It's certainly not underdone in the numbers department, producing 206 kW of power at 6200 rpm and 363 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm.

It has idle-to-redline tractability approaching that of a V8. Around town it will happily pull sixth from below 2000 rpm, or about 70 km/h. Gear ratios are close, and sixth is quite low, turning the V6 over at 2200 rpm/100 km/h.

At around 3500 rpm it draws a deeper breath and start producing serious sports performance. You then have 3000 extremely willing, responsive revs to enjoy, so it forgives a lazy attitude to the gears. A warning light on the tachometer starts flashing at 6000 rpm.

The six-speed gearbox has the lever falling easily to hand, a short throw and precise action. There is a fair degree of resistance at each gate, though it doesn't baulk with a firm push.

The test car had a new gearbox, the original being replaced when third became temperamental.

Ride

As a relatively uncompromising sports car, the Z's ride is firm, but a high degree of suspension tuning finesse delivers tolerable compliance and comfort, both of which improve as speeds rise.

Big bumps and potholes will see the front end use all of its travel.

You can live with the Touring on a long journey; the Track, with its lower profile tyres, may be a different story.

Handling and steering

The Z weighs in a considerable 1463 kg, and it feels relatively heavy around the suburbs.

However like all good sports cars stands on its toes at open road speeds and is nicely balanced and agile. Stability on rough roads is fine.

The Nissan operates with style in tighter corners, where beautifully weighted, accurate steering, plenty of grip, and close communication at both ends with the road surface make it a very involving, enjoyable drive.

Braking

The standard brakes in the Touring are effective, though the pedal is not particularly tactile. The test car's ABS seemed to intervene too early, well before the tyres approached their adhesion limits.

Smoothness and quietness

The V6 has a deep, tuneful note when accelerating and is acceptably smooth. In cruise mode it is not intrusive. Road noise is well suppressed.

Summary

The Nissan 350Z's styling may be a bit out there, but on the road it does everything a good sports car is supposed to do in the performance and handling departments, and is really entertaining to drive. At the price, it's worth considering. It compares most favourably with big dollar European rivals.

Test by Bill McKinnon, May 2003.

The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.

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