Initially conceived by Nissan's North American design team in their free time, the 350Z concept was introduced in the summer of 1998 to the media, dealers and employees. After much redesign the fifth generation of Z Cars swung into production in late 2002 as a 2003 model and offered 5 trim packages: 350Z (Base), Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track for the US market with only the Track version available in Europe. The Roadster followed a year later and in 2005 featured an electrically retractable soft-top roof. The two-seater Nissan 350Z with its front-mid engine, rear-wheel-drive, elongated bonnet, sloping fastback style roof line, also boasted bulging wheel arches that were pushed out to the corners of the vehicle also featured unique brushed aluminium door handles.
By 2006 the 350Z had received a number of notable changes both inside and out for its mid-life facelift. The 6-speed manual 300HP/260TQ Rev-up engine, that was introduced mid-year in 2005 and available for every trim type now and the 5-speed automatic was upgraded to the VQ35DE with 287HP/274TQ. Other new features also started to appear, including bi-xenon projectors, upgraded front fascia and startling LED rear lights and, for the first time, the Touring and Grand Touring models would have radio-steering controls as standard, with a Satellite Radio available as an optional extra. 2007 saw further changes, as the 350Z was again modestly revised with a new twin-throttle VQ35HR V6 engine that produced 306 hp (228 kW) at 6800 rpm. Because of these changes the bonnet had to be re-modelled and featured a bulge reminiscent of the original 240Z.
The 350Z received generous and positive coverage in the motoring press, praising such features as the 350Z's value, performance, handling, and braking. The Nissan Designers were awarded the Top Gear Magazine Car of the year award in 2004. But there were criticisms too, directed towards the quality of interior plastics, curb weight and cabin ergonomics, etc.All this said the 350Z proved to be a best selling performance car that responded as well in traffic, as it did on the highway covering long distances and will be a head-turner for years to come. A total of 160 fully illustrated pages.
