The
2003 Goodwood Festival of Speed was the first public viewing of the Nissan 350Z in the UK.
For this year's event Nissan produced the 350Z NISMO concept, though thankfully it was seen in motion on 'The Hill' rather than forming part of Nissan's static display.
As a reader of this website you probably already know that NISMO stands for NISsan MOtorsports, the aftermarket performance arm formed in Japan in 1984. At present, the NISMO name can only be applied to the 350Z in the UK range, though we hope to see more of it in the next generation Almera, and the Skyline replacement.
It is claimed that performance is enhanced by the fitment of a large, free-flowing sports exhaust system, though no actual figures are quoted. The item fitted at Goodwood has not yet passed noise and emissions regulations, but is likely to go on sale for £1,000 or so. The suspension is all new, though Nissan did not provide many details other than stating the obvious in saying that the 350Z has been lowered. Adding to the car's stance are the 19-inch NISMO 5-spoke alloys (an inch wider at the rear). The wheels alone cost £1,765 (+ VAT). Though relatively subtle, the 350Z NISMO concept is fitted with an extensive body kit (named the NISMO Aero Kit), which will be available on new 350Zs for approximately £2,500 fitted.
The Aero Kit was strongly influenced by the cult PlayStation game Gran Turismo, and was partly designed by the producers. The front bumper is replaced by a deeper one, with a colour-coded splitter and an additional louver in the bumper grille. The new side skirts are just tasteful enough for our liking, and stylistically link the deep front bumper to the new rear under-skirt. A large rear wing is also fitted to the concept; we would hope that buyers could delete this as an option as it takes from the lines of the coupe.
The NISMO concept is fitted with lots of little bits you can buy off the shelf for your 350Z, such as a higher pressure radiator cap for sustained high load driving (£40 + VAT). Inside, the concept is equipped with NISMO kick plates, floor mats and a titanium gear knob, complementing the figure-hugging NISMO sports seats. The standard 350Z is a well specified car in any case, though 31% of buyers so far have opted for the GT Pack, which adds electrically adjusted, heated leather seats, a BOSE stereo system and cruise control for £2,500, with the gorgeous lightweight RAYS 18-inch alloys adding a further £1,000 to the price. Putting a lot of NISMO parts on top would add up to an expensive car. However, the rear-wheel drive sports car already has a large following, with strong sales and a healthy waiting list. The NISMO range allows buyers to own an even more individual car.
Elsewhere at Goodwood, Nissan displayed the Murano SUV seen at the
NEC show recently for the first time in the UK. Nissan will import just 1,000 examples of the new SUV in 2005, all powered by a version of the six-cylinder engine powering the 350Z. Prices have yet to be announced, but Nissan proudly boasts that it has the measure of the
BMW X5 for the price of an X3. We will try to get our hands on one next year, though we will be driving the 350Z this summer. Watch out for the reviews in the main
Road Tests page.
Shane O' Donoghue - 9 Jul 2004
