Nissan 350Z (2004) review
It's already one of the most dramatic cars on the road, but that hasn't stopped Nissan making the 350Z even more sensational.
Now you can play Gran Turismo in real life. When you order a 350Z, you can raid the NISMO options and give your car a personal touch. Of the extras fitted to the GT NISMO, we'd find it hard to justify the bodykit, but the interior mods - which will be about £1,000 - and the exhaust are worth the investment.
It's already one of the most dramatic cars on the road, but that hasn't stopped Nissan making the 350Z even more sensational. The firm's British arm has done a deal with Japan's motorsport division, NISMO - and this is the result: an extra-special 350Z.
The GT NISMO made its debut at last month's Goodwood Festival of Speed, and showcases the tuning and styling mods that are now on offer at Nissan dealers. Auto Express has taken an exclusive spin in the striking newcomer to see if they're worth the expense.
Based on a standard-spec 350Z, the NISMO gets an 'Aero Kit', which will set you back £2,495. It consists of a deep front spoiler, side skirts and a rear wing, all developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital, the firm behind the Gran Turismo computer games. The look is certainly distinctive, but isn't that huge rear spoiler a touch excessive? The 19-inch wheels are great, though - even if they add an extra £1,765 to the list price of a showroom Z.
Further modifications include supportive NISMO-branded sports seats, plus matching floor mats and gearknob, while the Bose stereo is also superb. Not that you'll want to listen to it, as our favourite accessory is the exhaust.
Nissan hopes to get emissions approval for the system by the end of the year, and it will be offered as a £1,000 option on the 350Z from January. But it will be well worth the wait, as the unit delivers a spine-tingling roar.
In all other respects, the NISMO is standard - but that's no bad thing, as the 350Z won our 2004 Greatest Drives test and Best Sporting Car in our New Car Honours. With thrilling performance, a wonderful gearchange and fantastic agility, it's a fantastic drivers' machine. For a few pounds extra, you can now make it look and sound sensational, too.
