Driven: Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT Review

Driven: Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT Review

Here is the first drive review of the Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT after Motor Verso were given the opportunity to test out the car on a range of test roads at Millbrook Proving Ground.

What is the Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT all about?

The Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT was built to mark the twentieth year of the Nissan motorsport division and to celebrate the success of the 350Z GT500 touring car winning the Japanese touring car championship.

The 350Z S-Tune GT is based on the standard 350Z but has been fairly heavily tuned. The engine now creates 298bhp, has lowered suspension by 20mm, 19-inch 5 spoke alloy wheels and a new body kit to mimic the racing car, which has been finished in pearlescent white. It’s fair to say that the car does stick out on the street, but you will be lucky to spot one in the UK as since its creation in 2005 it has only been sold in Japan.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 3

The GT  is powered by a 3.5-litre v6 petrol engine that creates 298bhp and 363Nm of torque, this power goes through a 6-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. The car can get from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds and will do an electrically limited top speed of 155mph.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 2

How does it drive?

The Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT has lots of race car similarities that you can see from the moment you first move off in the car. We know that the car has been heavily modified, and the transformation to the driving experience is unreal.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 8

Driving the GT gives a very raw experience. The clutch is extremely heavy, far from anything you would experience in a road car, the steering is also heavy and the gear shift is very tight. This helps with giving the driver uncensored feedback via the controls. The way that this changes the driving experience is overwhelming, the car genuinely feels like a race car, which further changes the style in which you drive it.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 13

What is it like inside?

Inside the 350Z it is no different from the standard model, expect from a pair of extremely supportive race style seats, complete with Nismo logos which do help make the car feel a bit more special.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 12

Being a decade old, there is little to shout about on the interior by modern day standards, but the car still has the essentials needed to drive, which is all we care about for now.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 9

The Experience

The experience that the Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT provides is legendary, you feel every mechanical movement via the controls. You need to put a lot of effort in on the steering wheel and peddles to get the most from the car, but it feels so rewarding whilst doing so, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 14

Verdict

The Nissan 350Z Nismo S-Tune GT is a very rare breed in the UK, and in Japan the car is considered legendary. It is definitely the version of the 350Z to own. The S-Tune GT has authentic taste of Japanese tuning, and it is built in small numbers with attention to detail and using top quality components; the S-Tune appeals to the die-hard Nissan fans after that race car feel. With the standard 350z being so well catered for in the aftermarket, the S-Tune GT would be a great base for a turbocharged street or track build.

Nissan 350Z Nismo 5

Video Highlights

Specification

Nissan 350Z Nismo

  • Price: £ 50,000
  • Engine: 3.5-litre V6
  • Power: 298bhp
  • Torque: 363Nm
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
  • 0-62mph: 5.8 Seconds
  • Top speed: 155mph
  • Weight: 1,575kg

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Author: Paul Hadley