click above image to view more pics of the 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z
The 2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z looked as if it were driven straight out of a video game when debuted at the 2007 New York Auto Show in April. The chin spoiler, rocker sills, double-decker wing and rear diffuser that sticks out far enough to set a table for two screams Japan Grand Touring Car. Priced like a JGTC car, however, the NISMO 350Z is not. Nissan has just revealed you can order one starting at $38,070, which KickingTires points out is a small premium over the $36,100 Nissan is asking for the range-topping Grand Touring 350Z. In addition to the aggressive aero package (watch the curbs!), buyers also get a NISMO-tuned sport suspension, gunmetal gray five-spoke wheels from RAYS, Brembo stoppers and a two-tone interior with plenty of embroidery that reminds all this Nissan's a NISMO. Unfortunately, Nissan has not changed its mind to offer the NISMO 350Z with the fourth-gen VQ35HR or new VQ37HR being used in the Infiniti G-Series models. Instead, it uses the same 3.5L VQ V6 in the regular 350Z where it produces 306 horsepower.
[Source: KickingTires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
brian @ Jun 13th 2007 4:37PM
O M F G
Joe K. @ Jun 13th 2007 4:46PM
Wasted opportunity to really blow the doors off and toss the 3.7 in... Oh well, still sweet enough, just don't GM it and put the bigger engine in one year in and wonder why the old ones are sitting on the lot...
Sherief @ Jun 13th 2007 4:48PM
Uhm, all 2007 350Z's -- including the Nismo -- use the VQ35HR. Hence the 306bhp (as opposed to 300bhp) power rating.
The HR is actually more powerful than the rating suggests, as it was rated using the new SAE power standards that seem to adjust all power ratings downwards a bit. In reality it's 15-20 stronger than the third-gen VQ35.
Don @ Jun 13th 2007 6:12PM
Yeah, I caught that too: Nissan's site shows it is, indeed, the VQ35HR
Carlos @ Jun 13th 2007 4:54PM
I've heard great things about the NISMO suspension - doesn't add a significant amount of grip on a skidpad, but it makes the car much easier to control at the limit. That's the kind of thing that makes the difference between a simply grippy car and a serious handling machine.
i.c. weiner @ Jun 13th 2007 4:57PM
what age group is this car directed towards? FOR young people, thats alot of money
Pouya @ Jun 13th 2007 7:48PM
In California (mainly the Bay Area and Orange County) a lot of young people have Mommy and Daddy buy their cars nowadays. I have a friend that owned a brand new Ferrari F355 back in high school (circa 1999) when they were new. In undergrad (circa 2000-2004), the most common car was a fully loaded BMW 330 . . . but Porsches, M5s, M3s, and Mercedes were as common as RSXs and Celicas. Guess who paid for it . . . Mommy and Daddy. :) At below $40,000, Mommy and Daddy feel like their kid is cutting them a break.
zentrandi @ Jun 13th 2007 5:06PM
With that price and exterior, you'd think they would upgrade the motor at the very least...
Matt M @ Jun 13th 2007 5:18PM
Good grief. As if the dual air intakes and the relocated dipstick weren't enough. As someone has already pointed out, '07 Zs get the same HR motor as the '07 G Sedan (V36 Skyline). Once again an Autoblog writer doesn't know what he or she is talking about. What a surprise.
Drewboy @ Jun 13th 2007 5:19PM
The bodywork looks way too overdone for my tastes. I love the Z though.
joseph chung @ Jun 13th 2007 5:29PM
that rear is a disgrace. too much rice for my taste.
MikeW @ Jun 13th 2007 6:14PM
No, Nissan never bothered to go back and re-label the power numbers of the VQ35.
Magically the power of the FX35 dropped from 280hp to 275hp from '06 to '07.
So figure at least 4 off the 300, so that would show at least 10hp over the VQ35rev, and more over the 'torque-y' VQ35.
Sherief @ Jun 13th 2007 10:04PM
Go do some research. VQ35HR's are dynoing around 20whp more than the third gen VQ35.
spdracerut @ Jun 13th 2007 7:16PM
While I don't particularly care for how it looks, the additional aero is functional. The price premium is very little for the upgraded brakes, ligither wheels, and improved suspension.
Nick @ Jun 13th 2007 7:19PM
To all of you complaining about the looks, price, and power:
Looks: Functional aero parts are big. Critics would do well to remember the Bauhaus edict: form follows function.
Power: On the track you want a reliable engine that can run up and down the rev range for periods longer than 13 seconds and distances farther than .25 miles. Handling is more important on a road course, and 306 hp from a tractable powerplant is more than adequate.
Price: The car has Rays wheels, Yamaha mass dampers, and is assembled and seam welded by Autech, the same company that assembles the JGTC cars. $2000 barely buys a set of Rays wheels, much less the other stuff. Where else can you buy a hand built racer special with a full manufacturer's warranty for $40K?
Good luck to anyone trying to get one of these; you'll need it.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jun 13th 2007 9:07PM
That's alot of money for a 350Z... I don't care what little toys it has a base of $38k for a 350Z is alot of money
whofan @ Jun 13th 2007 9:34PM
I`d take the $38000 and buy a Mustang. A car I could admire even when parked in my driveway. The mustang would cost much less, but at 38000 you can get a Mustang that will run like at bat out of hell.
Nissan should do a retro of the 70s`240z. To this day the only Asian car with a soul.
John R @ Jun 14th 2007 8:49AM
A reply from a previous post about Asian cars not having "soul." Th article concerned GM advertising woes:
"Yeah, cause the Nissan Z-cars and Skyline GT-Rs, Honda NSX, Prelude, Integra GS-R and Type Rs, Toyota Supra, Toyota MR-2, Mazda Miata (MX-5), Mazda RX-7, Mazdaspeed 3 and 6. Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru WRX and STI were "souless".
*sigh*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhQKfQSQP8"
Anyhow, back on topic. Mustang, a great car, but how many Mustang variants are out there where people are paying $40k, $50k, $60k or more because its more track worthy or its some sort of limited edition? How much are they asking for the Mustang KR? I don't remember exactly, but I know it won't be cheap.
I think it looks good (straight of Gran Turismo) and more than likely it performs exceptionaly well, although I would be worried about speedbumps and curbs.
The people who want it and can afford it will buy it. Let's not also forget the United States isn't center of the universe and there are Z-car nuts all over this planet who want this car more than a Mustang and will probably buy this car.
Why can't Autoblog post an article about a domestic or an import without it devolvling into an Old Glory versus Risisng Sun pissing contest?
Sheesh...
TIMMAH! @ Jun 13th 2007 11:34PM
That bodywork looks like cheap, fugly, bolt-on crap.
Rene Curry @ Jun 14th 2007 12:59AM
History repeats itself....Z car, RX7, and the entire lot all got too expensive. Sales fall.... Kill production...RE-introduce a new low cost model.
Nissan is failing their history exam, the Z car is on the way out!