Wednesday 30th November 2005

Nissan plots 350Z upgrade

400bhp+ V8 could slot into the sports coupe

---

Underpowered? More would be nice...

The clearly underpowered Nissan 350Z, probably the best car the company sells in the UK right now, could be about to become the 450Z. The Japanese carmaker is plotting to cram its 400bhp+ 4.5-litre V8 into it, adding four-wheel drive to get the power down.

Although the engine doesn't currently meet Euro IV emission standards, reports suggest that it' s relatively simple job to make that happen. Production has not been confirmed but, according to Autocar, "Nissan is seriously considering it".

Nice...

[wab172uk]

And I'll consider buying one. Please Nissan, build it.

[GTRene]

Sounds good, and they can use that power as it is no leightweight.
At the carshow at Essen stood a nice tuned example with about 385hp and 500+hp the last one realy goes I think but a V8 4wd with to begin 400hp would be very welkom
GTRene

[james_j]

Keep it rear drive and don't get any heavier and it'll be very good.

[andytk]

article said:

"The Japanese carmaker is plotting to cram its 400bhp+ 4.5-litre V8 into it, adding four-wheel drive to get the power down."

Errrr, wouuldn't that make it the long awaited New Skyline/GT-R/whatever.

Surely this would steal the GT-R's thunder? Stange marketing tactics

Andy

>> Edited by andytk on Wednesday 30th November 10:43

[granville]

Heard worse ideas.

[Don]

Good idea, Nissan, now shove the that lovely V8 into the roadster with yer 4WD etc and so.

That would be a real hoot come the summer.

[dakkon]

About time it had some decent power, great news.

[dvs_dave]

andytk said:

article said: "The Japanese carmaker is plotting to cram its 400bhp+ 4.5-litre V8 into it, adding four-wheel drive to get the power down." Errrr, wouuldn't that make it the long awaited New Skyline/GT-R/whatever. Surely this would steal the GT-R's thunder? Stange marketing tactics Andy >> Edited by andytk on Wednesday 30th November 10:43

My thoughts precicely. I remember ages ago seeing sneek peek pictures of the New Skyline. It looked exactly like a beefed up 350Z with a V8 and of course be 4-wheel drive.

[rizla]

This might just be the best thing ever.
I've long been thinking about a 4.5 Cerb. A 4.5 Nissan would have the benefit of reliability, a real dealer network, spares etc.
The 350 is already a blinding machine, I can see a more powerful version stealing sales from Porsche, BMW etc. It'll probably cost less than a Boxster/Cayman and comprehensively runs rings round either. I know where my money would go.

[Andrew D]

Underpowered? 278bhp? Thats significantly more than any of it's rivals (TT V6, Z4 3.0i, Boxster 2.7, RX-8, S2000, Crossfire).

[k2iss]

dvs_dave said:

My thoughts precicely. I remember ages ago seeing sneek peek pictures of the New Skyline. It looked exactly like a beefed up 350Z with a V8 and of course be 4-wheel drive.

If you are talking about that car: http://www2.nissan.co.jp/SKYLINE/V35/0511/CONCEPT/ma
then it is already for sale in Japan. I even saw one import on the M25 the other day.

[Stuart J]

A friend has just added twin turbos to his, 420 bhp Nice

[caro]

Luca...!

[turbobungle]

Forget the 4WD and it'll tempt me to sell the Supra!

[dakkon]

Gazboy said:

I bet it doesn't make it to these shores, the interesting stuff never does...

But the import companies will bring it across like they do for all Jap exotica, so no fears my good sir.



edited to sort out my horrific typo

>> Edited by Gazboy on Wednesday 30th November 15:12

[bcom tom]

The 350z may not be underpowered compared to its current rivals, but doesn't have the same power to weight as some of the late 80s early 90s Nissans. Would love to see it in production.

[MarkoTVR]

I kept thinking about getting an import one and having the twin turbo conversion, but that worries me quite a bit having been around tweaked cars for a few years now and seeing all the problems. However, 278bhp just doesn't 'butter my bread', as it were.

4.5 400+bhp V8? That's the best idea they've had since the car itself. Nissan.....you NEED to do this.

[tonto]

This is the version we need!



900bhp plus (Well in GT4 it is!)

[qube_TA]

k2iss said:

dvs_dave said: My thoughts precicely. I remember ages ago seeing sneek peek pictures of the New Skyline. It looked exactly like a beefed up 350Z with a V8 and of course be 4-wheel drive. If you are talking about that car: http://www2.nissan.co.jp/SKYLINE/V35/0511/CONCEPT/ma then it is already for sale in Japan. I even saw one import on the M25 the other day.

That looks like one of these:www.dreamconspiracy.co.uk/GTA/gta-skyline.jpg

my mate has one, it has a tweaked version of the engine in the 350Z

Sold as the Infiniti G35 in the US. I heard they're supposed to be bringing the Infiniti brand the Europe next year.

As for the 350Z, it's pants when you consider how awesome the 300ZX TT was.

Matthew

[zetec stuart]

hahahaha, all i gotta say is bring it on.....