Nissan 350Z Nismo Type 380RS: Only In Japan

Motoring Channel Staff - 9/July/2007

Tokyo, Japan — Only in Japan... Nissan has built 300 special edition 350Z models which have had some major surgery, taking displacement from 3.5-litres to 3.8-litres.

Called Fairlady Z in their homeland, this tuned-up Nissan is an altogether more powerful rear-wheel drive sports car, thanks to its larger 3798cc V6 engine.

The car gets an extra 44 horsepower over the standard model, taking peak power to a convenient 350hp. This translates to about 257kW @ 7200rpm.

Peak torque has been boosted as well, up to 397Nm @ 4800rpm, and because Nismo (aka Nissan Motorsport) has gone to work on the special edition Type 380RS, the car gets a number of other upgrades that span the chassis and the aero body work.

Larger wheels, more rubber, and stiffer suspension ensure the 350Z Nismo Type 380RS is a finely crafted track day car, while new front and rear spoilers increase downforce the faster it travels. The front end gets a carbon lip spoiler and as well as small wheel arch extensions, the Type 380RS also gets a redesigned rear apron with a large diffuser. 

Nismo also added a larger-than-stock rear wing that combines with the rear diffuser to increase downforce over the rear axle.

Nissan and Nismo have tested the new 3.8-litre engine during various endurance races, including the Tokachi 24 hour race in 2006, so its durability isn't in question.

The new 3.8-litre engine making its debut in the Type 380RS could also be the engine fitted to the new Nissan GT-R, which will be unveiled later in 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show. 

There is talk that the new GT-R will be powered by a twin turbocharged version of the VQ engine, but whether it will be the 3.5-litre or the 3.8-litre version is not yet clear. 

We have been led to believe that the GT-R will be powered by a twin turbo VQ engine codenamed VQHRTT, but it's size is not yet known.

But it will be soon.

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