Nissan 350Z Model History

Click on the tabs below to see specifications for all Nissan 350Z car models.

Nissan 350Z (Z33)

In January 2001, the bright orange ‘Z Concept’, the earliest iteration of the 350Z (the fifth-generation Z-car), was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show.

Its distinctive stylising (featuring a long hood and short deck) originates from a design from the La Jolla (California) Studio. (Nissan held a design competition between its Japanese, European and American studios – and the American team’s design was ultimately chosen.)

The 350Z was launched in Summer 2002 to great acclaim. It featured a slightly upgraded version of the 3.5-litre VQ35DE DOHC V6 engine, which featured in several other cars in Nissan’s line, including the Pathfinder and Skyline.

The 350Z was initially only available as a 2-seater hardtop – although a convertible variant was added in 2004. At launch, the engine produced 284 bhp (brake horsepower) and 274 lb⋅ft of torque. However, in 2005, this was increased to 300 bhp and 260 lb⋅ft of torque.

The 2007-08 model year is the most sought-after among sports car collectors thanks to its improved transmission and engine architecture, which significantly boosted its speed and performance.