Nissan’s Z cars have a long history of being uncompromising drivers’ cars, stretching back to the 1969 Datsun 240Z, and the new 350Z is by far the best of the bunch. Being a two seater it’s not the most practical car you’ll ever buy, but there’s not much on four wheels that looks as good or provides as much fun for the money.
Unlike many other cars with sporting pretensions the Nissan delivers what it promises – it assaults all of your senses equally. Turn the key and the 205 kW 3,498cc quad cam all-alloy V6 burbles into exuberant life. Peak power is developed at 6 200 rpm, but there’s 250 Nm of torque on tap from 1 000 rpm and 363 Nm at 4 800 rpm, so the engine’s far from peaky. Switch off the traction control, hold the revs at around 5 000 and when you pop the clutch the chunky 245/45R18 Bridgestone Potenzas at the rear take up smoking in a most satisfying fashion. And thanks to the limited-slip-differential both wheels light up together, so even though your tyres wear out fast, at least they’ll do so evenly!.
The Nissan has a beautifully slick-shifting six speed manual transmission that really works like you’d expect it to. Once you’ve got the car moving along apace you don’t have to worry about arriving at corners too fast either – big 324mm (front) and 322 mm (rear) ventilated discs with Brembo callipers make the car feel like a race machine. Handling is superb, thanks to lightweight forged aluminium independent multilink suspension all round and hefty stays across the engine and luggage compartments that keep the body from flexing under cornering stresses. The Nissan can be grabbed by the scruff of the neck and bundled through twisties with aplomb, which is hugely satisfying for the driver, if disconcerting for his solitary passenger. Top speed is governed to 255 km/hr, and the 100 km/hr yardstick comes up in marginally over six seconds.
The 350Z is beautifully put together and offers the expected luxuries and safety features, but they’re all rather besides the point right now. For me, even a simple radio and air conditioner in a car like this is a bonus. Its real value lies in the driving experience it delivers, and the Nissan is just about the best there is. Add another 50 Kw, and I’d maybe consider selling my house—