2005 Nissan 350Z review

Nissan 350Z review:

The all-new Nissan 350Z sports car, unveiled last January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit just three years after the first Z Concept vehicle was rushed onto the North American auto show circuit as an initial styling and feasibility study, went on sale in the United States and Canada this August as a 2003 model. The stylish, 287-horsepower 350Z continues the Z heritage of design, performance and value that has remained unchallenged since the original Datsun 240Z was introduced 33 years ago as a 1970 model. Design That Offers Strong Visual Appeal The 350Z was designed to impress viewers at first sight with its newness as a sports car and to remain an object of unending adoration for ages to come. While inheriting the “Z-ness” passed on through successive generations, this Z embodies many new features for a sports car, all of which have been perfected to exceptionally high quality. Design cues passed on from the first-generation Z include the long nose and short deck styling, triangular cabin form and the lines extending from the arch-shaped roof to the hatchback opening. To that heritage, a newness has been added to contrast the soft, warm body shape with the geometrical forms of the headlamps and other parts. Fitting of its sports performance essence, the Z’s design is anchored by very aggressive wheel forms pushed all the way out to the corners. Like a Formula 1 race car, the body’s center of gravity is placed in the middle and the tires are positioned at the four corners to emphasize the car’s nimble agility. Performance That Delivers The 3.5-liter VQ35DE V6 engine produces 287 horsepower and 274 lb-ft of torque, an expanded power range that comes as a result of reworking the intake port design and adopting Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) technology. This enables the engine to deliver not only outstanding start-off acceleration and high-speed passing performance, but also torque characteristics suitable for city driving. Drivability has been further improved by adopting an electronically controlled throttle, and the use of a highly rigid cylinder block combines with other measures to produce engine sounds worthy of a sports car. Suspension for the rear-wheel drive vehicle is a 4-wheel independent design. Both 6-speed close-ratio manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions are available. New for 2005 All 2005 350Z models receive a number of other enhancements for the new model year, including standard Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), driver’s seat front and rear lifter, reduced clutch pedal effort for manual transmission models and downshift rev matching for automatic transmission models, heated outside mirrors and a faster navigation system processor for improved route calculation times (for optional navigation system, Touring and 35th Anniversary model only). End of Nissan 350Z review.