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NISMO Creates Ultimate Enthusiast Z
Among the special editions and sporting models being introduced this week at the 2007 New York auto show is an addition to Nissan’s 2007 350Z lineup, the NISMO 350Z. Though the 350Z doesn’t yet move to the 330HP 3.7L V6 being introduced in the Infiniti G37 at the same auto show, the NISMO package includes updates to the suspension to improve handling as well as the look-at-me bodykit. According to Nissan’s vice president and general manager Bill Bosley, “The NISMO 350Z is geared towards enthusiasts who want the ultimate 350Z straight from the factory performance experts. They also want a Z that makes a statement and is a testament to their love of driving.” The NISMO 350Z certainly looks the part.

NISMO started in 1984 in Japan, offering high-performance aftermarket parts and accessories for the Nissan lineup, but this is the first factory-offered NISMO for the Z lineup. (NISMO parts are available through several aftermarket parts suppliers, as a quick Internet search will tell you.) This is only the second NISMO-branded product for the U.S. market (after the 2005 NISMO Frontier off-roader). The NISMO package gets aerodynamics meant to resemble Super GT championship Z racers, including a huge chin spoiler on an aggressive front fascia, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with underbody diffuser, and (of course) a large rear wing. This model also sports as standard HID headlights and LED taillights.

Though the NISMO 350Z offers the same 306HP as the standard 350Z, structural rigidity is improved with additional body welds and more supports front and rear. NISMO takes a stab at the suspension, adds Brembo brakes (four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers), and beefs up the exhaust note with a NISMO-branded and -tuned dual exhaust. Special wheels round out the package, in this case NISMO gunmetal gray super lightweight forged-alloy eighteen-inch front and nineteen-inch rear wheels. Electronic aids including traction control and a limited-slip differential are also standard.

The NISMO 350Z will be offered in four exterior colors (with colorful racing and performance names like Redline Red, Magnetic Black, Silver Alloy, and Pikes Peak White) when it goes on sale in July 2007, but only one interior is offered. The interior seating surface is black cloth with red inserts and red contrast stitching throughout, and it sports a three-bay gauge cluster similar to the original 240Z design. There’s also a NISMO white-faced tach and an aluminum plaque that proclaims this car’s special status.