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When Nissan’s 350Z was launched in 2002 it quickly gained recognition as a great drivers car, provided you could look beyond the badge. Clearly a string of Skylines and, more importantly, 37 years of Zs had failed to jog the nations memory. With 200,000 350Zs sold since its launch, 2007 sees a facelifted and tweaked 350Z hit the streets.

The award winning 3.5 litre V6 engine has been replaced with the VQ35HR engine which uses 80 per cent new components. The High Revolution High Response engine now delivers 17bhp more 400rpm higher up the rev range – 313bhp at 6,800rpm with the redline shifted 500rpm up the rev range to 7,500rpm.The revised block and induction system add 15mm to the engine height called for a bonnet redesign to accommodate it. The bonnet bulge harks back to early Z cars such as the 240Z as the 350Z carries the Z name on.

Out on the road it’s clear that the HR designation is more that just factory coding and marketing hype. There is a marked difference between the 2007 revised 350Z and the outgoing Z. The engine pulls with more urgency throughout the rev range rather than simply pulling well low down and losing momentum as the redline closed in. The new engine might not have added a huge amount of torque but the tweaks have improves the torque curve to allow the engine to respond at every level. Even at just 2,000rpm the torque picks the 350Z up gives it mighty shove down the road with an almighty growl unleashed from 5,000rpm.

Only revised damping has altered the suspension leaving the overall behaviour of the 350Z largely unchanged with sharp turn in. The chassis is well balanced allowing some fun to be had, provoking the new 245/45 18 rear tyres with your right foot. On the road the Bridgestone Potenza RE050 tyres help improve the ride and noise levels as well as increasing grip.

Nissan have taken their great drivers car and made it into something greater still. The original 350Z is still a superb car but the development Nissan have carried out on the new VQ35HR engine have helped address the Zs one weak spot.

Source: Cars for Sale Ireland Blog