Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd announced today it will be making NISMO high-performance accessory parts available for its 350Z. The range, which is previewed on a Japanese market Fairlady Z at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, will be available from Nissan’s UK dealer network from the start of 350Z deliveries in October.

NISMO is a new name to Nissan UK’s accessories range - for the 350Z only at the moment. But it’s not so new to anyone who plays ‘GRAN TURISMO’ or drives a Nissan Skyline GT-R. NISsan MOtorsports was established in Japan in 1984 to provide manufacturer backed performance parts for Nissan cars. And the 2003 Goodwood Festival of Speed is the natural event at which to launch the range in the UK – not least because there will be many customers there who have ordered a 350Z.

The most dramatic item in the range is the 350Z Aero Kit that was developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital, producer of ‘GRAN TURISMO’. The images created by the game’s development team were translated into production reality by NISMO after being aerodynamically tested. So as well as looking the business, the Aero Kit increases the forces on the front and rear of the car – there’s more grip at the front and added traction at the rear.

The standard front bumper is replaced by a deeper one that incorporates a low lip spoiler that can be painted a different colour to the main body - if the owner chooses.

And an additional louvre in the bumper grille gives the 350Z an even wider and more menacing look. Side skirts rectify irregular air stream around the tyres at high speeds. Their function is linked to that of the rear under-skirt and along with the front lip spoiler, make the 350Z look literally sucked to the road. But all of this wouldn’t be complete without the high mounted rear spoiler or wing that sits on top of the tailgate below the rear window. An exact price for the NISMO Aero Kit hasn’t been confirmed but it’s going to be around £1500 – plus the inevitable fitting and painting – though the bits are likely to be available separately.

As if the standard 350Z doesn’t sound intoxicating enough (if you’re a car nut, that is), the NISMO sports exhaust gives it an even more spine tingling exhaust note. 10.7 cm wide, twin oval tailpipes are the only external sign of an exhaust system developed for even sharper engine response in fast driving and a further improvement in dynamic performance while ensuring ample torque at mid-to-low engine revs. The cost is likely to be around £1000. Assuming it gets through our noise and emissions regulations. Rules can be so dull.

All these parts come from NISMO’s S-tune range, which is designed for performance improvements on road driving. Another item that will be available is a racing radiator cap that raises the cooling system pressure leading to a higher vaporising point of the coolant, in turn improving cooling performance. In other words, the engine is less likely to overheat should the customer decide to take his or her 350Z onto the track.

Other 350Z accessories, not from NISMO, have also been launched. They include Nissan’s Birdview 3D satellite navigation system, priced at £1500, which is built into the storage compartment above the CD-radio controls. There will also be an interior styling kit available at the car’s launch though no prices yet. Nissan’s Rear Park system will be offered for the 350Z for £310. And the fastidious owner might like to change the orange front indicator reflectors for white ones. They’re only 40 quid.

Prices for the 280PS 350Z start at £24,000. It’ll accelerate to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds and onto a limited top speed of 155 mph. But only two people can climb aboard for the ride. Standard equipment includes xenon headlights, front/side/curtain airbags, a 6 CD autochanger, 18 inch alloy wheels and Brembo brakes. The £2500 GT Pack adds leather upholstered, electrically adjustable and heated seats, a BOSE stereo system and cruise. RAYS alloys that are 4 kg lighter than the standard wheel, add another £1000.

Last week Nissan GB revealed that it has managed to secure an additional 390 350Zs for UK customers in 2003 over and above the original 450 allocation that sold out within an hour of the order banks being opened. So some of the 1000 or so customers who have already ordered a 350Z will get their car sooner than they thought. But it’s not as if any of them will be specifying the NISMO Aero Kit to stand out from the crowd. The 350Z may be causing a noise but it won’t be around in large volumes.

The Car Enthusiast are at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend and will bring you a full report shortly.

Nissan news release - 11 Jul 2003