Nissan 350Z: Race-bred 350Z on the way

Nissan has some exciting developments on the cards for the 350Z during 2007. First up is a revised V6 for the standard road car. About 80 per cent of the major components have been redesigned, boosting power from 296bhp to 309. A bigger bonnet bulge will identify Zeds fitted with the revised powerplant.

Meanwhile, the ‘Z Version Nismo’ (pictured above) features a bodykit developed from that fitted to the Super GT racers in Japan and has its bodyshell stiffened by additional welding and reinforcement bars across the chassis. The suspension geometry has also been altered and upgraded dampers fitted to hone the handling without damaging ride quality. Standard tyres are sticky Bridgestone Potenza RE-01Rs.

The Version Nismo will be available with the revised 3.5-litre V6 or a detuned 3.8 lifted from the recently announced 400bhp Type 380RS-Competition club racer, which has been designed to be used by privateer teams in the Super Taikyu Endurance Race Series in Japan and comes fully prepared for competition.