2006 Nissan 350Z GT-S Concept review

Nissan 350Z GT-S Concept review:

The new Nissan 350Z GT-S Concept is the result of a small team of engineers from Nissan who worked in their spare time in order to transformed the 350Z into a highly tuned Saturday Special. Between 7-9 July the car will be present at the Goodwood Festival of Speed together with the other cars in the Supercar Paddock.

The GT-S has a boasted power hike and a substantially modified chassis. The principal changes made to turn the 350Z into the GT-S center on its engine and chassis. Using a supercharger installation from Swiss manufacturers Novidem, power has increased by more than 25 per cent from 300 bhp to 382 bhp, while torque rises from 260 lb-ft to a heady 314 lb-ft.

Performance gains are expected to include a one second cut in the benchmark 0-60 mph time (5.8 seconds for the standard 350Z) with 2.5 seconds slashed from the 0-100 mph time.

NTCE engineers have undertaken the suspension changes. Working closely with specialists from Bilstein, the changes concentrate on optimizing road performance, with improvements in both handling ability and ride comfort, particularly on British B roads. Wider wheels and tires complete the chassis alterations.

A wind tunnel developed body/aero kit from German firm Strosek not only gives the all-black GT-S a distinctive look, but also improves the 350Z’s aerodynamic performance with increased front and rear downforce at speed. The package is completed by a NVH pack which makes the GT-S even more civilized than the standard 350Z.

Steve Robbins said: "We could have produced a balls-out racer with huge power outputs and very little suspension movement. But while this would have created a superb racer, it would have been virtually unusable on the road. Instead we approached the GT-S from an engineering stand-point with a view to creating a 350Z that provides more of everything: performance, handling, looks, comfort and excitement.”