2007 Nissan NISMO 350Z
Nissan has added a new, fifth model to the 350Z coupe line with the NISMO 350Z. Featuring a host of unique equipment—including a wild body kit and stiffer suspension—the NISMO Z goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July as a late-2007 model.
NISMO, Nissan's in-house tuning and racing support subsidiary, has made body and handling kits not just for the 350Z but also for the Altima, Sentra, Maxima, Titan, Frontier, and Xterra for several years. However, the NISMO 350Z is just the second model (the Frontier was the first) to wear the NISMO badge (which, by the way, stands for Nissan Motorsports International) in the U.S.
It’s, um, rather easy to tell the NISMO Z from the stock model, thanks to a downright shocking aero package featuring an aggressive front fascia with a racing-style chin spoiler, smoothed front corners, skinny fender lips, and side skirts. In back, it gets worse, with an obnoxious rear fascia with a functional air diffuser (how could something that big not be functional?) and, of course, a double-decker rear wing.
Performance improvements for the NISMO Z include a lowered suspension, Brembo brakes, a NISMO exhaust, and super-sexy NISMO gray five-spoke forged-alloy wheels (9.0-by-18-inch front, 10.0-by-19-inch rear) wearing Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires.
Unique-to-NISMO black cloth seats with red inserts and red stitching (the latter found throughout the interior) help hold both occupants securely in place while the driver explores the Z’s expanded handling capabilities. The driver faces special NISMO white and gray gauges, and all NISMO Zs get a serialized NISMO-etched aluminum plaque mounted on the center console.
For as much as has changed on the skin and at the wheels, the engine bay remains untouched. As with all other ’07 Zs, the NISMO gets the new VQ35HR 3.5-liter V-6 engine that produces 306 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque. However, the NISMO only comes with a six-speed manual transmission, as well as traction control and a limited-slip differential.
