Nissan 350Z S-Tune GT review

This review originally appeared in Issue 145 of Top Gear magazine (2005)

Nissan 350Z S-Tune GT styling

A perspiring cyclist draws level, his jaw dropped and arms waving about. He is clearly absorbing this 350Z’s brash decals, Eighties-inspired pearlescent white finish and spectacularly unsubtle body kit. Naturally, he must be appreciating the adjustable rear wing mounted on the previously elegant tail. It is based on that fitted to the car which won last year’s Japanese GT500 touring car championship – a triumph Nissan Motorsports International (Nismo) is celebrating with this 350Z S-Tune GT.

Or maybe not. “T****r!” he yells through his open window before cycling away.

Momentarily annoyed, I decide he ought to be shown a few of the car’s other upgrades. There are the larger exhaust tips, which deliver a soundtrack almost as restrained as the car looks when pulling away from rest. It also gets freer-flowing carbon-fibre intake ducting, revised inlet and exhaust camshafts, a lighter flywheel, stronger conrod bolts and an uprated clutch. Output rises by a modest 20bhp, while the engine reaches a higher 7,200rpm redline. Before long, the cyclist is behind me in a haze of partly combusted super unleaded.

Nismo engine and chassis upgrades

The increase in pace feels considerably greater than Nismo suggests. The engine spins up more freely, runs more smoothly and delivers a distinct additional punch of acceleration beyond 4,500rpm. This has the feel of an engineering programme pursued with obsessive attention. Even the exhaust settles into an unobtrusive hum while cruising.

Detail has been carefully considered elsewhere as well. New springs and dampers, together with 19-inch wheels, accompany a 20mm reduction in ride height. That may sound simple, yet although grip is improved and body movement reduced, what stands out most is how the Z preserves its composure and compliance over broken surfaces.

There is a degree of refinement in the braking, too. The larger grooved Brembo discs come with pads containing ‘a polishing agent to extremely suppress unwanted noise,’ according to Nismo’s brochure.

Body kit compromises

Sadly, the Alcantara-trimmed seats will be too narrow for many drivers. Importing a 350Z S-Tune to the UK would cost around £50k in total, while the absurd front chin spoiler and imitation brake-cooling ducts demonstrate how several poorly judged pieces of plastic can ruin the look of an otherwise sharply and cleanly styled car.

At a traffic light, the cyclist catches me again. “You’re still a t****r”, he mouths. The trouble is, I am struggling to disagree.

Verdict: Mechanically, this would make an excellent basis for a 350Z MkII. Aesthetically, you had better hope it does not...

3.5-litre V6
296bhp, RWD
0-60mph in 4.9 secs, max speed c.155mph
1,545kg
£50,000 (est)

**Words:* Peter Grunert*