350Z Performance Test

[whateverjames]

0-60   5.4 seconds
0-100 13.9 seconds
1/4 mile 14.1 @ 101mph
70-0 164ft

300ft skidpad .88g

fuel economy 19mpg

287hp @ 6200
274tq @ 4800

weight distribution 53/47


i just wonder why the skidpad rating is as low as it is. 18" wheels and it comes with factory strut tower bars. i don't know if those have to do much with grip as they do with body flex. but it says the SVT Cobra has a higher skid pad rating of .9. too bad there wasn't a slalom test.

[Nismos14]

thats freakin sweet do u kno what model they tested?

[whateverjames]

They tested the track model. It's kinda strange seeing it in a color that is not orange or silver, for once!

[andwys]

That car is so cool!!!!!!!

I want ONE!!!!!!

[fodive]

.88 on the skidpad...that doesnt seem right, everything else looks good though, what kind or tires did they have on the car, if they were all-seasons or something the low number would make sense

[DSC]

The 240 gets 0.8x on the skidpad right? Anybody know the exact number?

What type of suspension does the 350 use front and rear?
What color is the track model? Any pics?
I'm also curious to know its drag coefficient...it looks pretty damn slippery.

[DSC]

*clears throat* anybody know ^
I found suspension.  Its multilink front and rear.  

One thing is for sure...it's nice to see the 350z engine isn't as confusing as the 300zx engines <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>
http://www.nissanz.net/images/photos/233.jpg

[whateverjames]

Tires: Bridgestone Potenza RE040 225/45WR-18 &nbsp;245/45WR-18
Wheels: 8.0 x 18 &nbsp;8.5 x 18


Suspension:
Front: ind.; 1 control arm, 1 lateral link, and 1 leading link per side coil springs; anti roll bar.
Rear: ind.; 1 control arm, 2 lateral links, and 1 leading link per side coil springs; anti roll bar.

they forgot to mention the strut tower bars.

Handling: moderate understeer. &nbsp;
Brake Fade: none
Brakes: &nbsp;F: 12.8 x 1.2 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;R: 12.7 x 0.9

Turning circle: 35.3ft

so what's the WR stand for, when it comes to tires? since it's the track model, i thought it would come with tires more on the high performance side, but i may be wrong.

the color of this Z they tested looks like a skyline blue (bayside blue)

as for the drag coefficient, i'm not sure, but it has a top speed of 156mph, which isn't governed, it's drag limited <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

i'm confused, hopefully we see more tests on this car. i hope they either come out with a more powerful N/A model, a twin turbo version, or at the very least, a strong aftermarket. i hope stillen is working with one right now.

[whateverjames]

haha. i was typing this all up as you made another post.

[rrx]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ July 03 2002,5:48)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">*clears throat* anybody know ^
I found suspension. Its multilink front and rear.

One thing is for sure...it's nice to see the 350z engine isn't as confusing as the 300zx engines <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>
http://www.nissanz.net/images/photos/233.jpg</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
sorry couldn't help commenting... but that's a terrible exhaust manifold design on the 350z. Well it's very good for strength and durability but terrible for power output. I'd bet 20-40 whp is possible when someone comes out with better NA headers for that engine.

[tnord]

what's this f'r redline at? 6500 i assume? i wish it was 10,000. oh well, i still think it's pretty sweet. although in typical nissan fashion, the little piggy could stand to lose a couple hundred pounds.

[whateverjames]

very close, 6600rpm redline. i didn't read the review yet but i saw the highs and lows, and the lows were, "Could stand to lose a couple hundred pounds and gain a more melodious engine note". &nbsp; highs were "Excellent performance, terrific control feel, exciting styling inside and out". Curb weight is 3322 lbs.

[S13 Passion]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (DSC @ July 02 2002,03:04)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The 240 gets 0.8x on the skidpad right? Anybody know the exact number?

What type of suspension does the 350 use front and rear?
What color is the track model? Any pics?
I'm also curious to know its drag coefficient...it looks pretty damn slippery.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
the s13 240 also does .88g on the skidpad according to MotorTrend.

i thought the 350z would at least be .9 though.

[S13 Passion]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (whateverjames @ July 02 2002,8:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">very close, 6600rpm redline. i didn't read the review yet but i saw the highs and lows, and the lows were, "Could stand to lose a couple hundred pounds and gain a more melodious engine note". highs were "Excellent performance, terrific control feel, exciting styling inside and out". Curb weight is 3322 lbs.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
at least its a little lighter than the 300zx because the 300zx is about 3500lbs if im not mistaken.

[tnord]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (S13 Passion @ July 03 2002,8:05)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (whateverjames @ July 02 2002,8:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">very close, 6600rpm redline. i didn't read the review yet but i saw the highs and lows, and the lows were, "Could stand to lose a couple hundred pounds and gain a more melodious engine note". highs were "Excellent performance, terrific control feel, exciting styling inside and out". Curb weight is 3322 lbs.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
at least its a little lighter than the 300zx because the 300zx is about 3500lbs if im not mistaken.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
my NAZ32 was 3200, so the TT will be some heavier, but not 300lbs, 100lbs is more likely.

[nrcooled]

The new Z is a beautiful car and from some film I saw of it at VIR it seemed to handle very neutral but at the same time easy to evoke oversteer. &nbsp;The only thing I don't like too much is the fact that the throttle body will have to come off to do any valve work or cams etc. ::not a big deal:: <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':zzz:'> &nbsp; Not enough of a factor to keep me from running out and buying one. &nbsp;And at 34k for the track model is not a bad deal at all

[shiq]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (whateverjames @ July 03 2002,7:33)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">very close, 6600rpm redline. i didn't read the review yet but i saw the highs and lows, and the lows were, "Could stand to lose a couple hundred pounds and gain a more melodious engine note". highs were "Excellent performance, terrific control feel, exciting styling inside and out". Curb weight is 3322 lbs.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
C&D must of had a misprint, Nissan's official press packet lists weight ranging from
3188 (base)
3197 (enthusiast)
3217 (performance)
3247 (touring)
3225 (track)

I think C&D's numbers are conservative, I wouldn't be suprised to see high 13's, especially with that trap speed (101mph)

[whateverjames]

could it be with the driver and full tank of gas when they weighed it? just a thought.

[shiq]

Could have been with gas...no driver..
1 gal = 8 lbs x 20 =160lbs..

[shiq]

Also, didn't Nissan print the weight dist. as 52/48?

That's what I remember it being yet some reviews keep saying 53/47..

[sykikchimp]

So where was this test?? &nbsp;I'd like to read it very much ...

btw - there is suppose to be a twin turbo model released after the initial production run, along with a convertible model.

[whateverjames]

they better have the different levels to choose from with the twin turbo model, as well! for price reasons, of course.

you can find this in car and driver magazine. maybe their website has current info on it.

[my240likenoother]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (whateverjames @ July 01 2002,9:13)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">0-60 5.4 seconds
0-100 13.9 seconds
1/4 mile 14.1 @ 101mph
70-0 164ft

300ft skidpad .88g

fuel economy 19mpg

287hp @ 6200
274tq @ 4800

weight distribution 53/47


i just wonder why the skidpad rating is as low as it is. 18" wheels and it comes with factory strut tower bars. i don't know if those have to do much with grip as they do with body flex. but it says the SVT Cobra has a higher skid pad rating of .9. too bad there wasn't a slalom test.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
not too bad!!
i will take that thing all day....with my bike LOL <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/notify.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':notify:'>

110 whp
410 lbs dry
13.4 ~1/4
at 132mph

[shiq]

Actually a [twin] turbo model is doubtful, as it would most likely cut into GTR sales...although Nismo may/could release a kit...

[chickenmanq]

Yeah, but it's ugly. &nbsp;I think every original Z car I see is cringing.

[sykikchimp]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (shiq @ July 05 2002,12:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Actually a [twin] turbo model is doubtful, as it would most likely cut into GTR sales...although Nismo may/could release a kit...</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
thats what you would think, but the fleet manager at the local Nissan dealership (supposedly the highest volume nissan dealer in NC) was very adament about the fact that the turbo model was comming. &nbsp;He actually told his friends Not to buy the first model b/c of it.

Besides - the GTR is suppose to have ~450hp and use the R390 3.5L TT V8 motor. &nbsp;even with TT 350Z it would probably only put down about ~350hp.

[tnord]

initially, i really really doubted the release of a turbo model as well for multiple reasons.

1) financial situation; nissan hasn't exactly been making tons of profit the past few years. developing a big heavy turbo model, which was arguably the best Z ever, was also it's demise. spending $ on R&D for a new turbo is risky, where-as the current formula of a cheap, reliable, basic sports car was proven in the first Z's.
2) Z sales dropped because of the inflating price (i don't want to hear SUV trend theory). twin turbo's obviously means higher price.
3) the new GTR; nissan's resources should be plenty busy with this new car, not to mention potential sales losses.

due to recent developments, here's why i think there may be another turbo model.

1) nissan's recent success; the new altima is doing extremely well, while a car that fits the same demographic, the maxima, doesn't seem to be suffering much. the sentra, while not what some entusiats were hoping for, is still doing well. all of nissan's SUV's are performing better than they had been in the past. with this new found financial security, they can afford to take a risk.
2) the overwhelming reaction to the new Z; show me a bad review, i dare you. performance of a boxster S for 20k+ less? awesome <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> . other than some styling issues, complaints about the car from both public and press are fairly insignificant. with the demand so high for the new Z, it seems that anything nissan tosses out with a Z badge on it will sell. also, enthusiasts like forced induction &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> .
3) inside information; while getting my car serviced at the nissan dealer where i used to work i stopped in to visit a former detailer who is now sales manager. i asked him about the new Z, he said......"just wait until the turbo comes out." my obvious response was, "they're not going to build a turbo." all he did was smile, laugh, and said he couldn't tell me any more.

who knows what will happen, i'd like to see a turbo, but i'd be happy with the current car as well.