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The Renault Kangoo and Kangoo Express are panel van and leisure activity vehicle produced by French automaker Renault since 1997. The Kangoo is manufactured in the MCA plant in Maubeuge, France, and in Santa Isabel, Argentina. It is also sold by Nissan in Latin America and Europe as the Kubistar.
The rear windows and seats can be removed, producing the panel van Kangoo Express. The Kangoo is popular with the mobility-impaired and wheelchair users due to its height and accessibility. It can be adapted to include mounting points for wheelchairs. Both the Kangoo and Kangoo Express are available in four-wheel drive versions, with raised ride height and altered styling. A lengthened version is also available, with an increased cargo area, as well as a pickup truck version in the Swedish market. The Kangoo was facelifted in 2003, resulting in the Phase II model. These vehicles are distinguished by their pronounced contemporary Renault nose design, with two gaping grille openings placed either side of a suspended diamond badge. The headlamps were also restyled.
The New Renault Kangoo and New Renault Kangoo Express are the new LCV generation in Renault. Based on Scenic and manufactured in Maubeuge, start of sales is Jan’08. A short wheel base version New Kangoo Compact, revealed at AMS2007 will come during spring’08.
The Kangoo and Kangoo Express was/is available with a choice of multiple engines:
Some LPG and CNG variants of petrol engines have also been produced.
Cleanova II is a vehicle based on Renault Kangoo, with two electric versions: full-electric vehicle (FEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV).

The Nissan Navara is a pickup truck manufactured by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 1986.
Nissan was the pioneer of the compact pickup truck market in 1959, joined in the 1960s by Toyota. Since 1959, Nissan is known for a number of notable firsts in the compact pickup truck market, including the first extended cab bodystyle (in the 1979 Nissan King Cab) and the first crew cab bodystyle compact pickup, in the D22 Navara.
There have been three generations of Navaras since 1986. The first was the D21, considered to be a small pick up. After more than 10 years with the D21, the second generation of Navaras were manufactured from 1998 and went until 2005 which was classed as a compact sized pick up. It was replaced with the bigger, taller, longer D40, which Nissan now considers to be a mid-size pick up truck.
The D21 Navara is a compact size pick up truck manufactured from 1986 to 1997. It is better known as the Nissan Hardbody Truck, which replaced the Datsun/Nissan 720 pickup truck.It is known for its extremely reliable engine and fabulous safety,they said when they manufactured the engines and assembled the utes that it would easily do 300k kilometres on the one engine with little mechanical work. it has great economy doing about 7.8L/100km, it has also got quick acceleration without having an extremely high top speed topping out at around 120kph,these utes handle amazingly for what they are and when parking you will feel like you are parking a hatchback, if you could pick one of these up for anything under 4 and a half thousand with reasonable k’s (anything under 200k) you would be laughing all the way to the bank even if it had minor body damage or little things wrong with it would be worth every cent for they are built like tanks and parts and visits to the mechanic are cheap as chips for the engines are simple and will last forever.
The D22 Navara is a compact size pick up truck manufactured from 1998 to 2004. However, Nissan continue to build the D22 on a low scale, and is known as “Pickup”.
The first D22 Navaras during 1998 to 2001 have a slightly different cosmetic appearance to the newer models (2001 onwards). The styling changes were designed to attract younger buyers into buying the pickup trucks.
The first series of D22’s had larger 3.2 litre Turbo Diesel engines. The second series has 3 available engine types. They are as follows:
The 2.5 litre Diesel engines are Turbo charged with intercooler, and the 3.0 litre is Turbo-charged but is not intercooled.
In the UK the current Navara has been the market leader for a number of years with the largest bed space and a market leading 174 bhp (169 bhp on post September ‘06 vehicles with the introduction of the Euro IV compliant engine). With its four spec’s the S, SE, Outlaw and Aventura the Navara has the ability to cover all market areas from workhorse to executive plaything. The Aventura comes with all the toys you would expect on a modern luxury car, leather Upholstery, Dual Zone Climate Control, 6 CD/MP3 changer and satellite navigation as standard.
In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the D40 Navara has a few differences from the UK versions. There are 2 engines available, the popular common-rail 2.5 liter Turbo-charged Diesel engine and the V-6 petrol. The Diesel engine in 4WD models produces 128 kW (172 hp) at 4000 rpm and 403 N·m (297 ft·lbf) at 2000 rpm, with the 2WD models producing slightly less at 106 kW (142 hp) at 4000 rpm and 356 N·m (263 ft·lbf) at 20000 rpm. The high-powered V-6 a breath-taking 198 kW (266 hp) at 5600 rpm of power and 385 N·m (284 ft·lbf) at 4000 rpm of torque. Both engines come with a standard 5 speed Automatic, with a 6 speed manual available for the Diesel. These models are not a luxury as the UK versions and do not have leather, climate control and satellite navigation system.
The 2008 model of the Navara was launched on July 2nd. Although the same truck underneath, the Navara now has a new style of alloy wheels, bluetooth as standard, side work lights and indicators on wing mirrors.
The 2008 Single Cab became available in Thailand since March 6th. The 2.5 engine reduces the torque down from 356 N·m (263 ft·lbf) to 294 N·m (217 ft·lbf) @ 2,000 rpm. Using 15″ wheels and exclusively reserved modified chassis. Power steering is standard, also available electric mirrors and central locking as optional extra. Nissan planned to sell the single cab and began to export worldwide at the same month. But because of its retail prices, so Nissan still selling D22 pickups with minor updates for cheaper choice along with.
The D40 Navara has recently undergone EuroNCAP crash testing with rather disappointing results. It received one star with a strikeout, however after retesting it achieved 3 stars. Among the problems discovered during the test was delayed airbag deployment and insufficient seatbelt restraint. Aside from the seatbelt and airbag problems, the Navara’s passenger cell also deformed during the test, and there is a significant amount of footwell intrusion.

The Nissan Note (kana:日産・ノート)is a mini MPV produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan. The Japanese version has been on sale since 2004, and the European adaptation has gone on sale during 2006, with the United Kingdom first to launch, on 1st March. The car shares some of its underpinnings with the Renault Modus, and is designed to compete with the Opel/Vauxhall Meriva and Fiat Idea as well as the Renault offering. It is manufactured at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, England.
The car is positioned as a roomy car and includes special add-ons for family needs. The key feature is the flexibility of the interiors. Even a person as tall as 2.00 metres (6.6 ft) can fit in either the driver’s seat or the back seat easily. It is designed to be a cross segment car. Another design detail of this car is the boomerang-shaped rear light. Nissan aims to appeal to the family car shoppers with this car by including children-friendly features.
The Nissan Note used to be available in three specifications, the ‘S’, ‘SE’ and ‘SVE’. The base model came in with full electric windows, alloy wheels and front fog lights or the Flexi-Board boot system. The SE saw the introduction of 16″ Alloys, Air Con, front fog lights and Flexi-Board Boot and the SVE had Climate Control, Rear Privacy Glass, 17″ Alloys and ESP. These models have been replaced with the Visia, Acenta, Acenta R and the Tekna. The Visia is almost identical to the old ‘S’ model whereas the Acenta, Acenta R and Tekna now come complete with MP3 Auxiliary jack and Bluetooth Car Stereo as no cost options.

The Nissan Almera was a small family car built by Nissan from 1995 to 2006. The Almera name was essentially the European export-market name for the Nissan Pulsar / Nissan Sentra / Nissan Bluebird Sylphy.
The Nissan Almera was designed to offer best-in-class equipment and technology and was always considered a very road capable car offering sharp, precise handling, minimal bodyroll and decent tyre grip, especially in the GTi and post 2003 versions.
The first Nissan Almera rolled off the production line late in 1995, as replacement for the Nissan Sunny, a nameplate which had been in use for nearly 30 years. It was mostly identical to the N15 Nissan Pulsar sold in Japan, except with different trim and petrol engine range.
Power came from 1.4 GA14DE and 1.6 GA16DE petrol and 2.0 CD20 diesel engines initially in 1995, but a year into production a 2.0 SR20DE engined GTi was added to the range. The Nissan Almera was ungainly in appearance but beneath its bland exterior lay an excellent chassis which gave perhaps the best ride and handling of any small medium car on sale in Europe. 1.4 and 1.6 models were sold in 3, 4 and 5 door versions, whereas the GTi was 3 door only, differing from the Almera’s main competitor, the VW Golf, whose GTi was sold in both 3 and 5 door configurations.
Almost all Almeras sold in the UK were hatchbacks with three or five doors - this was quite different from some other regions such as Ireland, where the saloon version is substantially more commonplace. Specification was good, with all models getting power steering, driver airbag and stereo as standard. As with all Nissans, build quality and reliability were first rate, except perhaps, the timing chain inside the engine. This was a known problem, but was costly to put right. Today you can expect to pay £800 - £1000 at a Nissan dealer. Phase 2 GTi’s with low mileage were rather more sought after, and one can expect to pay up to £2500 for a good example.
Flagship models for each engine capacity are as follows:
The above all included ‘high-spec’ bumpers with foglights (Optional on the Si model), alloy wheels from 1996 onwards (Different size and design between Si/SRi 14″ and GTi 15″), and rear roof lip spoilers (GTi models sported an integrated brakelight, also spoilers were optional on the Si).
The 2.0 litre GTi had an optional ‘aggressive-looking’ factory bodykit, with BMW M3-style sideskirts, and front/rear splitters. Non-bodykit models came with a simpler plastic front splitter. The GTi featured uprated suspension, front and rear strut braces and a quicker steering rack.
For the phase 2, the front bumpers were re-designed, front splitters were added on the Si/SRi, and the GTi had all-round bodykit as standard (Although it was optional to not have the bodykit), and now all of the lip spoilers had integrated brakelights. The original telescopic radio aerial was moved from the drivers A-pillar to the rear of the roof and was changed to a “bee-sting” type. On the GTi, the phase 2 headlights and front indicators featured a black surround.
The Bodykit itself was changed to a more subtle, straight design on the GTi, with the addition of vents on the rear splitter. Due to the high ‘casualty rate’ of Phase 1 splitters, due to the thin and brittle plastic used, Phase 2 bodykits were much sturdier. As such, it is not uncommon to find Phase 1 GTi’s with Phase 2 bumpers or no splitter at all.
The Almera MK1 sold fairly well in the UK, but wasn’t quite able to match the sales success of established favourites such as the Ford Escort, Vauxhall Astra or even the Rover 200, Peugeot 306 and Volkswagen Golf. Those who did buy Almeras were generally pleased by its solid build, excellent reliability and good ride and handling. Equipment levels were generous on most models, but safety specification was relatively basic with just one airbag on all models.
Launched early in 2000, the second generation Nissan Almera differed from its predecessor with smooth, curved lines. Some still thought it bland in comparison with its rivals although the Almera was selling strongly worldwide.
The N16 Almera was based on Nissan’s global MS-Platform, which was Nissan’s first new platform to be developed after the partnership with Renault. The MS Platform was also the base for the new Primera and Almera Tino.
The Almera Hatchback is basically the same as Pulsar Hatchback sold in Australia and New Zealand. The Almera 4-door Sedan is based on the Bluebird Sylphy, but has different front end.
The N16 Almera offered great improvements over the previous generation Almera in terms of handling, tyre grip and drive dynamics. The N16 Almera felt much more sure-footed on the road and was exceptionally nimble for a plain family car. Even today the Almera is considered to be one of the best handling small family cars on the market while maintaining its predecessor’s hallmarks of solid build quality and high reliability.
While the previous generation Almera was considered spacious for its class, the N16 Almera was lacking in rear passenger legroom due to a shorter than category average 2.53 metres (99.6 in) wheelbase.
The second generation Almera could be had as a three- or five-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, with 1.5 and 1.8 Nissan QG engine series petrol engines as well as a 2.2 direct injection turbodiesel (YD22DDT) or common-rail turbodiesel (YD22DDTi).
Almeras can be also equipped with 1.5 common-rail turbodiesel from the Renault Megane II - Nissan had recently ventured with Renault and the Almera’s diesel engine was the first instance of Nissans and Renaults sharing mechanicals.
In 2003 the Almera had undergone another update which included a facelift, retuned suspension, new engines and an updated interior.
First, the Almera’s Macpherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension (Nissan’s name for its double lateral link twist beam suspension) had been retuned. This resulted in a quieter ride and a reduction in the amount of rear bump-through experienced when heavily laden, improving high-speed stability, driving dynamics and making the car more controllable after an emergency maneuver. The new suspension tuning also proved to produce almost no body roll on tight turns. Overall, Nissan said, the Almera had slightly firmer damper settings and marginally stiffer spring ratings; though there had been no loss of ride comfort or increase in noise levels in normal motoring. The suspension revisions had been executed in such a way as to only come into play at the upper edge of the dynamic envelope.
The facelift also included new chrome, projector-style headlights that were set in a titanium-coloured surround with separate lights for main and low beams set behind an enlarged translucent cover. The front bumper now had an integrated engine air intake that ran almost the full width of the car while a honeycomb mesh grille added visual benefits to the frontal image. Some models also got small circular fog lights.
The interior of the facelifted Almera had also been redesigned with better quality materials and a large color or monochrome center screen which controlled all of the car’s functions (climate control, CD player and trip computer). Higher trim levels also included Nissan’s Bird-eye GPS system.
The facelifted Almera was built in Sunderland, UK, and exported to parts of the Asia-Pacific where they were sold as the Nissan Pulsar. In 2006 the second generation Almera reached its sixth year of production but was still selling strongly world-wide. It was also sold in Mexico in three versions; a 5-door manual 5-speed, a 5-door automatic 3-speed “Comfort” model and a 3-door “Sport” version equipped with side curtain air bags, fog lamps and a 5-speed manual transmission.
The Renault Samsung SM3 is currently sold in Ukraine, Russia, and some countries of North and Central America as Nissan Almera Classic.
The car was a N16 Nissan Sentra-derived model built in South Korea by Renault Samsung Motors. It had four versions and two engines available: the 1.5 litre QG15DE and the 1.6 litre with CVTC system QG16DE petrol; both from Nissan.
The Almera finished production on 29 November 2006, creating a large gap in the range while the Tiida replaces it. So far in western Europe, the Tiida has been launched in Ireland in May 2007. It is due on sale at a later date in Britain, where it will be badged as the Versa.

2005 (35th Anv & Track)
2006
2007-present
2006-08
The Nissan 350Z is a sports car manufactured by Nissan Motor Co, LTD. The 350Z is the fifth (and current) generation of Nissan’s Z-car line, originally introduced in 1969 (as a 1970 model year) as the Datsun 240Z. The 350Z entered production in late 2002 and was sold and marketed as a 2003 model. It is currently available in several trim packages and is sold as both a 2 door coupé and roadster.
After the Nissan 300ZX was withdrawn from the U.S. market in 1996, Nissan initially tried to keep the Z name alive by re-creating the 240Z the following year. The car was conceived by Nissan’s North American design team in their free time, and the concept was introduced in a four state Road Show in July 1998 to various car media, dealers and employees. Yutaka Katayama, regarded as the “Father of the Z” unveiled the Z concept sketch to the public when he received a motor industry award. The design, representing a modern vision of the 240Z, did not please the original 240Z designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, who compared it to the Bluebird and Leopard
The first concept model was produced for the Detroit Motor Show for the following January then later at the Los Angeles Auto Expo. Nissan was unhappy with the first design as they felt the original 200 bhp (150 kW) 2.4L engine known as the KA24DE that was going to be assigned made the car more underpowered, they also felt the car was considered too “retro” or too “backward” resembling a futuristic 240Z thus a redesign was underway. During a press conference in February 2000, president Carlos Ghosn gave the car the green light as he felt the car would help to assist the company’s recovery.
The redesigned model, now known as the Z Concept, which was similar in bodyshape but with a redesigned front end was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show two years later. The car then underwent a minor redesign and was eventually assigned the VQ35DE engine, hence the car became known as the 350Z. The car would break its tradition of being of the first Z not to be produced at the Shatai plant.
The 350Z is a front engine rear-wheel-drive 2 passenger 2 door sports car designed by Ajay Panchal of Nissan Design America located in San Diego, California.
The vehicle features the long-hood short-deck design common to the Z-Car family. External design highlights include: sloping fastback style roofline, unique brushed aluminum door handles, high waistline, and bulging fenders that are pushed out to the corners of the vehicle.
Interior cabin design is straight forward with brushed aluminum accents. The main gauge pod is mounted directly to the steering column allowing their movement to coincide with steering wheel adjustments. Additional gauges are mounted in a center triple gauge cluster. The 350Z’s interior does not have a conventional glove box, instead it makes use of various storage compartments located either behind or between the two seats.
Released on August 20, 2002, the 2003 350Z coupe was available in the U.S. in 5 trim packages, including the Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track Editions. In Europe only the ‘Track’ version (with standard Rays wheels) was sold, although it wasn’t badged or marketed as such. The optional GT pack includes heated leather seats, Bose stereo system, and cruise control. Nissan’s performance tuning division, Nismo, began producing modified versions of the car shortly after its introduction, although in the UK these were only available one year after the car was launched.
In 2004 Nissan introduced the 350Z roadster featuring an electrically retractable soft-top roof. The car came in 2 trim packages (Enthusiast and Touring) in the U.S. market, and the Base and GT packs in Europe.
In 2005 Nissan launched a 35th Anniversary edition, which featured options such as “Z” emblems and 5-spoke wheels. The 2005 35th Anniversary edition 6-speed manual and 2005 Track trims both produce 300 hp and 260 torque (224 kW). In addition, The 35th Anniversary and Track 350Z also included revised pistons and camshaft profiles, and a new type of control to the variable valve timing. Although there were increases in power, the changes lead to a decrease in peak torque in the vehicle. Also, unfortunately many of the 300 hp (220 kW) engines from 05 and 06 6 speed manual transmissions (Rev-Up) burn oil due to what may be faulty rings Nissan North America has released a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) regarding this issue. TSB NTB07-088 was issued on November 27th, 2007 to specifically address the abnormal oil consumption experienced on some 2005-2006 300HP RevUp engines.In brief, the TSB lists specific guidelines, and amount of oil consumption required, for a complete engine replacement with a newly revised unit.
Nissan also added the Grand Touring trim to the Roadster trim packages for 2005. Since the anniversary edition all 6-speed models produce 300 hp (220 kW) / 260 ft·lbf (224 kW / 353 N·m).
For the 2007 model year, the 350Z was moderately revised. The VQ35DE V6 was replaced with a new 3.5 L VQ35HR V6. It produced 306 hp (228 kW) at 6800 rpm with 268 ft·lbf at 4800 rpm. The front bumper, hood, and headlamps were also revised with the hood featuring a bulge reminiscent of the original 240Z. Trims levels were also narrowed down to 350Z (base), Enthusiast, Touring, and Grand Touring.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of the debut of Datsun 240Z, Nissan released a high performance version of 350Z. The 35th Anniversary Z was debuted at the Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas on November 2nd, followed by its first public appearance at the Miami Auto Show in early November.
35th Anniversary Edition includes 300 hp (220 kW) V6 engine for the 6-speed manual transmission model. Other key 35th Anniversary Z equipment (standard on both 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic equipped versions) includes unique 18-inch (460 mm) cast aluminum-alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, Brembo brakes and special Z badging. The car comes in Ultra Yellow, Super Black and Silverstone body colour, and optional black-and-tan leather-appointed seats (except with the Ultra Yellow interior).
The 350Z 35th Anniversary went on sale at Nissan dealers in January 2005.
A limited run (only 5 units) called the Type E was produced in Japan in order to meet homologation requirements to compete in the Super GT series. The Type-E featured a longer nose and rear overhang as well as a few extra aerodynamic aids.
Engine is rated at 206 kW (280 PS) @ 6200 rpm, 363 N·m (37.0 kgf·m) @ 4800 rpm
The S-Tune GT was released by Nismo to celebrate its success in motorsport, particularly in the Super GT series. The S-Tune GT featured revised long nose bodywork as in the Type-E, a modified version of the VQ35DE engine called the S1 with more power (300 PS / 221 kW / 296 hp) and higher redline (7200 rpm), as well as a sportier Nismo suspension.
20 were produced each month in Japan. Although Nissan did not officially sell S-Tune in UK, Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd. imported 1 S-Tune GT to UK
The R-Tune is the final step of the Nismo lineup, with further modifications including headers, cams, pulleys. The R-Tune voids the Nissan factory warranty, but gains significant horsepower, intended for track racers.
Engine is rated 305 hp (227 kW).
During the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) unveiled the 350Z GT-S concept. The GT-S featured a unique radial flow supercharger (that could be turned on or off via a switch on the dashboard), raising engine output to 382.6 bhp (285.3 kW) and 424.8 Nm without modifications to the engine components. The car also featured new body kit for more cooling and downforce and wider 245 and 265/40/18 tires. No plans for production have been revealed, although there have been some hints that the package may be offered as an upgrade kit. The car has been tested favorably against its possible production rivals, the Porsche Cayman S and BMW Z4 M.
Auto Express magazine reported the GT-S would be on sale in UK for £36,000, but it has yet to be produced.
This edition of 350Z Coupe was debuted in New York International Auto Show on April 4, 2007. This version featured the same engine as the regular 350Z, but only offered 6-speed manual transmission. The car featured NISMO aerodynamics package based on the Super GT championship car, which included an aggressive front fascia with chin spoiler, side skirts, an extended rear fascia with underbody diffuser and a rear wing. The car also had NISMO-tuned independent multi-link suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers (with 12.8-inch (330 mm) front and 12.7-inch (320 mm) rear rotors) and NISMO-branded gunmetal gray RAYS alloy wheels (18×9-inch front and 19×10-inch rear with 245/40WR18 front, 265/35WR19 rear Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires), and NISMO-branded tuned exhaust. The vehicle in the car show had black-faced instrumentation, but the production US-spec car will feature gray gauges.
NISMO 350Z went on sale in the US in July 2007 at Nissan dealers. 1500 were produced for the ‘07 and ‘08 model year, and it is assumed that if the demand is there that more will be produced, limited to 10% of all 350Z sales. The vehicle had MSRP of $38,070 for the ‘07 model year.
Another rumor is that the French brand Alpine (a manufacturer of Renault-powered sports cars) would be resurrected to offer a new car based on the platform of the 350Z, developed with the support of Porsche. The vehicle later became Renault Alpine 210 RS.
Released as the street version of Fairlady Z Type 380RS-Competition race car for Japanese market, it includes the VQ35HR engine stroked and bored to 3.8-liter, rated 257 kW (350 PS/350 hp) @ 7200 rpm and 397 N·m (40.5 kgf·m/293 lbf·ft) @ 4800 rpm torque. Brembo disc brakes are fitted, as are Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires (245/40R18 in front, 275/35R19 in the rear) with RAYS wheels. Front and rear dampers come from Yamaha.
Version NISMO Type 380RS is priced 5.397 million (5.14 million+tax) yen ($38695 USD). Only 300 cars are produced.
It is the race car for which Version NISMO Type 380RS is based. The 3798 cc engine rated 294 kW (400 PS) at 7500 rpm and 421 Nm (43 kgm) at 5200 rpm torque.
According to Nissan, the race car cost 26.25 million yen.
In 2006-01-12, Nissan announced the sale of Version ST Type G for Japanese market. This version features 19 inches (480 mm) rear tires (245/40R18 93W front, 265/35R19 94W rear), front & rear fender moldings (+25mm), RAYS alloy wheels, and exclusive interior leather color.
Version ST Type G cost 4,273,500 yen for 6 speed manual, and 4,326,000 yen for 5 speed automatic.
Since its introduction in 2002, it did not take long for drivers and teams to enter a Z33 for competition when B.J. Zacharias and Michiel Schuitemaker of Schuitemaker Motorsports helped the car to make its debut in the Grand-Am Cup Series at the start of the 2003 season. They have taken a few podium finishes with Unitech Racing who is also the other team to field a Z33, but effort was proved to be successful under the name of Playboy Racing scoring wins along with the other current Grand-Am entrant East Competition Promotorsport. The Grand-Am Cup car has also been used in the new FIA GT4 European Cup. Schuitemaker Motorsports with drivers Michiel Schuitemaker and BJ Zacharias won 3rd place in the ‘03 Grand-Am Cup season. The following year, they improved and finished in 2nd place. Schuitemaker Motorsports was sponsored by 350EVO, a manufacturer of performance 350Z parts. After winning 3rd overall in the ‘03 season, NISSAN had Wright Tuning build a new 350Z race car for the ‘04 season. This car differed from the ‘03 car in that it was completely stripped and seam welded. The cage was lighter and stiffer by using different diameter tubing where possible. The car used a Menard’s built engine with a Pectel engine management system. Overall racing weight was 2,450 lb (1,110 kg) which was the minimum allowable weight for its class. The ‘04 chassis proved to be the most successful chassis to run in Grand-Am to date. The ‘03 chassis was sold to a French team with Edouardo Atkatlan as the driver. It still competes in the European “Fun Races” today, winning 2nd place in the inaugural ‘07 race in Madrid.
The 350Z replaced the Skyline GT-R as the car for Nissan’s factory and customer teams in the Super GT’s GT 500 class. The cars used are heavily modified and feature a longer nose and tail (requiring the production of the Type-E homologation special), carbon fiber bodywork, and a tube chassis. In 2004, Nismo won the GT500 championship. Until the 2007 season, the car was powered by a VQ30DETT V6. In order to increase competitiveness, however, a new 4.5L V8 powerplant has been developed. The car, with slightly more pedestrian modifications also competes in the GT300 class (having started there even before the Skyline GT-Rs were replaced) by teams such as Endless Sports and Mola. In 2003 Hasemi Sports won the GT300 championship with the 350Z. In 2008 season, through the 350Zs will be all replaced by Nissan GT-Rs in the GT500 class, but probably they will be continued to used in GT300 class as GT-Rs horsepower overexceeds the horsepower limit which make it impossible to particiapte.
The Z33 also appears in the Japan’s Super Taikyu series, entered by C-West Labs.
The British GT Championship also fields a privateer 350Z which competed in the series until 2006.
The car is considered popular choice for amateurs and professionals in SCCA events, T.C Kline took third place in the 2003 Touring 2 category in 2003, having being one of three Z33 that made it into the SCCA T-2 runoffs. In the SCCA GT2 class, Jim Goughary took the title in the car’s debut season.
The car is used in import events and drifting, where in the latter, some drivers have started to use them in the D1 Grand Prix and Formula D series. At the 2006 D1GP exhibition event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Tanner Foust became the first driver to score a perfect 100 points in a 350Z. In the non-Japanese domestic D1GP spinoff series, D1 Great Britain (D1GB), there are two Z33s that compete in the series. Of the 2007 season, both SVA Imports and Sumo Power 350Z currently competes in the EDC (European Drift Championship), which is run by a different organization to D1, and in Formula D, Foust took runner up spot at round 1 and at round 2, Chris Forsberg would score its maiden victory in his Roadster equipped with a VK56DE from a Nissan Titan. His win for the 350Z was followed up by Youichi Imamura’s win during the Las Vegas round of the US D1GP series in his RB26DETT engined car. Foust would eventually take the Formula D title.
The SVA Imports Z33 is significant for being the other drifting car other than the Team Orange Impreza to feature a rear radiators with air ventilation on both sides rather than just on one on the Impreza.
Option magazine founder Daijiro Inada used an extensively modified 350Z, dubbed Option Stream Z to compete in the Silver State Classic Challenge. The car is equipped with a GReddy/Trust T88 turbo-charger and is stroked to 3.8 L to produce over 900 bhp (670 kW).
As the Z33 is popular in import drag racing, one Z33 fielded by Performance Motorsport in the NHRA Sports Compact series, with twin turbo claims to put out over 1,700 bhp (1270 kW) and achieved 8.33 quarter mile time with its best speed of 176.72 mph (284.40 km/h).
In 2004, the tuner Dandy and magazine Option entered a Z33 known as the Option Dandy 380Z with a donor engine from a wrecked Stream Z minus turbocharger producing 370 bhp (276 kW), to compete in the F/GT class for unblown grand touring sport cars at the Bonneville Speed Week. The car could at best reach 151 mph (243 km/h).
To promote the car, Nissan released a short film of the 2003 Track model 350Z blazing a high-speed trail through city streets of up to 200 km/h on a six and a half minute run through the narrow cobblestone streets of Prague in the Czech Republic.
The 350Z has been given extensive coverage in the automotive press, and has obtained generally positive reviews. Eddie Alterman, senior editor of Automobile Magazine, said of the 350Z “An outstanding performance value. They got all the important stuff right.” While David Swigg of Motor Trend said “With a competent driver at the wheel and the traction control switched off, many Boxster drivers would be hard-pressed to post better lap times than with this Z.”
Automotive journalists tend to praise such features as the 350Z’s value, performance, handling, and braking. While criticisms tend to be directed towards the grade of interior plastics, greater curb weight than its competitors, cabin ergonomics and engine refinement. However, Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear had mostly negative things to say about the car, giving it a C- or three points out of ten, but later awarded the Nissan Designers with 2004 Top Gear Magazine Car of the year award. Other reviews have criticised reflections of the back strut in the rear windows.
At present, the 350Z has won over 40 international awards from various media and industry sources.

The Nissan Almera Tino was a compact MPV produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan. It is based of the chassis of the Almera small family car. It was launched in Europe in 2000 and sold until 2006.