The Nissan 350Z is a frequent competitor in drifting events like Formula D, Nopi Drift, and D1 Grand Prix. The Nissan 350Z is the fifth generation of Nissan’s Z-car line, the first being Datsun’s 240Z introduced in 1970.

History of Nissan Z-cars

• First Generation (S30): 240Z, 260Z, 280Z (1969–1978)
• Second Generation (S130): 280ZX (1978–1983)
• Third Generation (Z31): 300ZX (1984–1989)
• Fourth Generation (Z32): 300ZX (1990–1999)
• Nissan 240Z Concept (1999): (Not produced)
• Fifth Generation (Z33): 350Z (2003–present)

Initially, Nissan tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z but with the new VQ35DE engine, the Z car needed a new name. Later in 2003, the Nissan 350Z hit the automotive market. This 350Z would be the first Z car not to be produced at Nissan’s Shatai plant in Japan.

The Nissan 350Z replaced the Skyline GT-R as the car for Nissan’s factory racing teams in the Super GT - GT500 class. The 350Zs used in the GT500 class are heavily modified and feature carbon fiber bodywork, a tube chassis, and a longer nose and tail - requiring the production of a 350Z Type-E homologation special. In 2004, Nismo won the Japanese GT500 Touring Car Championship with the new 350Z.

To celebrate this victory, Nissan released the Nismo 350Z S-Tune GT. Only 20 are hand-built every month in Japan. The 350Z S-Tune GT features revised long nose bodywork extended front and rear bumpers, side-skirts and rear wing modeled after the Type-E car that won the GT500.

The 350Z S-tune GT features a modified version of the VQ35DE engine called the S1 that has more power (300 PS, 221 kW, 296 hp) and a higher redline (7200 rpm), sportier Nismo G-ATTACK S-tune suspension, reinforced clutch, Nismo tuned exhaust, upgraded cooling system, Nismo five-spoke 19″ wheels, racing stripes and pearlescent white paint. The interior has lightweight Alcantara upholstered racing seats.

Option magazine founder Daijiro Inada has built two 350Zs, known as the Option Stream Zs, to compete in the Silver State Classic Challenge in Las Vegas, Nevada. The latest Option Stream Z is equipped with a single Greddy T88 38GK Turbo and is bored to 3.8L to produce over 800 hp (811PS, 596 kW).

“DK” in the movie The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift drove a 350Z with a VeilSide body-kit and Toyo Tires.

Video games the 350Z has appeared in:

• Need for Speed: Underground
• Need for Speed: Underground 2
• Need for Speed: Carbon
• Project Gotham Racing 2
• Forza Motorsport
• Forza Motorsport 2
• Sega GT 2002
• Juiced, Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
• L.A. Rush
• Test Drive Unlimited
• Gran Turismo 3
• Gran Turismo 4
• Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition & Remix
• Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune