Performance Review: Nissan 350Z Coupe - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan 350Z Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan 350Z Coupe is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Nissan 350Z has a 3498cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 350Z shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 350Z's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1525 kgs (3362 lbs) this makes the Nissan 350Z Coupe in the same weight category as the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan 350Z shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 3498cc 24V V6 engine produces 276 bhp (205 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 268 lb-ft (363.3 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Nissan 350Z you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (205.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan 350Z.

The Nissan 350Z has a Power to weight ratio of 180.9 bhp per ton and 175.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 350Z competing with the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (205.8 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (205.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Nissan 350Z generating around 175.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (200.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Subaru Impreza P1 - Classic (200.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.9 secs, this made the Nissan 350Z Coupe as fast as the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the or the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs). This Nissan 350Z Coupe is also faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 350Z and the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack

When talking about the performance of the Nissan 350Z on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.44 secs @ 94.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (14.38 secs), the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), and the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Nissan 350Z Coupe has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 350Z equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Nissan 350Z Coupe then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2003 350Z Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison