Nissan 350Z GT-S Concept unveiled

Finally Nissan gave out the first official pictures of their tuned up 350Z GT-S Concept that’s going to make its first public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (7-9 July) where it will join other exotic road cars in the Supercar Paddock and on the famous hillclimb course. But will the 382 Hp 350Z GT-S become more than a weekend project by a group of mavericks? Nissan is saying nothing officially, though insiders point to its appearance at Goodwood as a sign the company is giving the GT-S concept serious consideration.

Press Release: Developed by a small team of Nissan engineers working in their spare, the GT-S supercharged coupé is a performance-focused version of Nissan’s acclaimed ‘Z-‘car’ and is designed to appeal to enthusiastic 350Z owners who simply want more.

Although boasting a power hike and a substantially modified chassis, the GT-S is far from being a stripped out racing car with a rock hard ride and a peaky power delivery.

Engine: The principal changes made to turn the 350Z into the GT-S centre on its engine and chassis. Using a supercharger installation from Swiss manufacturers Novidem, power has increased by more than 25 per cent from 300PS to 382PS, while torque rises from 353 Nm to a heady 425Nm.

Performance gains are expected to include a one second cut in the benchmark 0-60mph time (4,8 sec vs 5.8 seconds for the standard 350Z) with 2.5 seconds slashed from the 0-100mph time.

And it sounds better, too, thanks to an electronically controlled by-pass valve that enriches the exhaust note at a pre-determined engine speed.

Chassis: NTCE engineers – the very men who tuned the original 350Z to suit European roads and our higher speeds – have undertaken the suspension changes. Working closely with specialists from Bilstein, the changes concentrate on optimising road performance, with improvements in both handling ability and ride comfort… particularly on British ‘B’ roads. Wider wheels and tyres complete the chassis alterations.

Bodykit: A wind tunnel developed body/aero kit from German firm Strosek not only gives the all-black GT-S a distinctive look, but also improves the 350Z’s aerodynamic performance with increased front and rear downforce at speed. The package is completed by a NVH pack which makes the GT-S even more civilised than the standard 350Z.

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