Enuff Z'Nuff: Pointy-teeth'd European Nissan 350Z dragster hits 60 mph in 1.2 seconds

Quick – what's the World's Fastest Nissan? While visions of the GT-R are probably dancing around in your head, in reality, that title goes out to Project Zed, a Pro Class drag racer built using Nissan's 3.5-liter VQ six-cylinder engine borrowed from a 350Z. Not that the engine is stock, of course. In this case, Project Zed's tuned powerplant is reportedly sending nearly 1,900 horsepower to the rear wheels... yes, really.

As you'd expect from nearly two thousand galloping ponies, acceleration will be epic. Builder and driver John Bradshaw estimates that his maniacal machine will hit 60 in just 1.2 seconds as its rockets its way past the 200 mile-per-hour mark in just over six seconds.

Bradshaw plans to debut the car at the famous Santa Pod Raceway in England on September 10th, where it will go up against a slew of American V8-powered dragsters. Nissan is planning to show its support for the project by bringing along fresh copies of the latest 370Z and GT-R. Time for some head-to-head Nissan action? Hit the jump for a video and the official press release.

[Source: Nissan]

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PRESS RELEASE:

0-60MPH IN 1.2 SECONDS – 'NOUGH ZED

* Nissan 350Z's straight line speed stretched to the limit in stunning drag-strip monster, Project Zed
* Created by owner and driver John Bradshaw, Project Zed is a full Pro Class drag car packing almost 1,900bhp
* Amazing dragster will perform at the FIA European Finals at Santa Pod, September 10th to 13th 2009
* In support of the track star, Nissan will have a stand at the show displaying its latest road-going sports cars, the GT-R and 370Z

A very special Nissan Z-Car is ready to rumble at Santa Pod! Built to break multiple European records, the hand built dragster will be the only Japanese engined car competing against more traditional American V8 machinery in Mainstream drag racing this year.

The lovingly prepared Project Zed is powered by a Nissan 350Z 3.5-litre V6 engine producing nearly 1,900bhp. Owner and driver John Bradshaw is thrilled to be taking his mighty machine to the famous Santa Pod Raceway, Northants. John comments: "It's incredible to finally have the car ready to test now and we are all very excited by its potential. It really is a car that is capable of setting records around the world and just shows what a Nissan engine is capable of producing."

Project Zed is the first ever Pro Class 350Z to be seen in Europe and has been eagerly awaited by drag fans all over Europe. It's no surprise to find that predicted acceleration times are breathtaking. Not only is 0-60mph expected to take only 1.2 seconds, but 0-168mph will arrive in just 4.1 seconds.

The team are no strangers to success having set the fastest quarter mile time in the world for a Nissan Skyline (7.68 seconds @ 177mph) with their other car, Project GTST, which is a 1997 Nissan Skyline RWD GTST. Producing over 1,150bhp at the wheels, the car holds the record for the fastest Japanese car in Europe for 2008 and retains that title to date in 2009.

Throughout the rest of the year Project Zed will run in various classes including Super Pro ET, Competitor Eliminator and HKS Series – Pro Class.