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NISSAN 350Z Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 2002
Engines: Gasoline
Body style: Coupé (two-door)
NISSAN 350 Z photo gallery

The sport-coupe released in 2006 got slight revisions, however, it is considered to be the 2nd generation of the 350z.

The exterior design was refreshed with restyled headlights and a new bumper, while still having the beautiful lowered roofline.

The back of the car looked a bit dated in comparison to the front.

The interior did not have an exceptional design; however, it was practical for a 2-seater and everything was in the right place.

One of the downsides to be noticed in the cabin was the quality of the materials used, as the door handles were easily scratchable and other surfaces chipped easily.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel was thinner, but with a good grip.

The gauges were really simple, indicating the necessary information. The nicer part came with the aux gauges, indicating oil and voltage, adding to the sporty character of the 350Z.

In the front, there was no glovebox, however, 2 gloveboxes were placed under the back seats.

If the car had no back seats, why not use the remaining space wisely? Lots of storage spaces were placed in the back of the cabin.

The cabin was quiet compared to the 370Z, however, they shared the same blind spot issue, as most users say. Due to the sloppy roofline, the drive would have needed to pay extra attention when switching lines.

full description and technical specifications
NISSAN 350Z photo gallery

Nissan introduced the 350 Z in 2002 based on the same platform as the mightier Skyline but offered it only with a rear-wheel drive system.

The Japanese automaker was already famous thanks to vehicles such as the 240Z or the older Nissan Fairlady. With that heritage behind, Nissan couldn't afford a flop, and the 350 Z confirmed that it was an excellent track car. Moreover, the sporty coupe proved to be worthy as a long-range cruiser vehicle.

Nissan designed the car, especially for the U.S. market. For that, it penned the vehicle at its design studio in San Diego, California. The car featured a front fascia with a flat hood, slant nose, and sharp-looking trapezoidal headlights. A wide grille was cut into the bumper to cool the engine. From its profile, the raked windshield and the short, sloped-down roofline created a small greenhouse. Moreover, the long doors were fitted with frameless windows and a darkened B-pillar.

Inside, Nissan installed a binocular-style instrument cluster in front of the driver and three other gauges on top of the center stack, tilted towards the driving post. As expected, the car received a pair of high-bolstered front seats. But the automaker didn't forget some upscale features such as the infotainment system with sat-nav and silver trims resembling aluminum on the center stack and door cards. In addition, the metallic pedals completed the image of a true sports car.

Under the hood, only one engine option was a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 291 PS (287 hp). It was paired with a six-speed manual and sent its power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.

full description and technical specifications