Nismo Fairlady Z S-Tune S2When I arrived at Hakone's famous mountain road to test-drive Nismo's latest rendition of the 350Z, I was welcomed with a near-perfect storm. But it would take more than bad weather to stop me from an all-out assault on the road's 100 or so corners.
With a new version of the VQ35 engine powering the 350Z next year (it's already in the Infiniti G35), Nismo decided to give the original VQ35DE one last touch-up before saying sayonara. The car also celebrates the Z's 35th anniversary. While America got the original 350Z S-Tune a few years ago, it doesn't look like Nismo will be sending the S2 over immediately (but that can change, according to inside sources).
The biggest change in the Fairlady S2 is under the hood. Incorporating knowledge gained from racing in the Super GT Series (formerly the JGTC), Nismo swapped the camshafts, ECM and cylinder heads to improve efficiency and response, mimicking the characteristics of the race engine as much as possible.
While power has only increased slightly-the S2 puts out over 325bhp and 275lb-ft of torque-the revitalized V6 feels and sounds like a different animal. The exhaust note is loud and throaty, giving the impression that there's a V8 or something even bigger inside. With Nismo's custom valvetrain, throttle response is crisp all the way to the redline. This is where the S2 differs from the base Z and the original S-Tune: the VQ no longer runs out of breath after 5500rpm. Instead, in almost VTEC-like fashion, it actually gains steam, giving the car the acceleration feel of something supercharged.
If anything can be faulted, it's the clutch/transmission. There's some backlash and harshness when leaving the line and making the first-to-second shift. Perhaps Nismo did this deliberately, to retain a race-car feel.
The S2 suspension is basically the same setup as the original S-Tune. However, the S2's handling feels better balanced. The shocks and springs are stiff (a bit stiffer than the original S-Tune), making a commute over bumpy roads a teeth-chipping experience. But it provides a solid, balanced sensation through most corners.
On a wet road, the car understeers through tight turns, while the rear comes out any time you're rough with the throttle or brakes. Still, the car behaves predictably, and I can only wonder how well this thing corners on dry pavement. One thing is certain, the suspension is tuned for the track, not the city.
As for the styling, a new front end with downforce-inducing canards and a flashy rear wing differentiates the car from other Nismo Zs. If these parts look familiar, then you've no doubt seen Nismo's GT500 Z, which won the Super GT series in 2006.
If you want to find out what's its like to drive that championship-winning race machine on a slightly reduced scale, the Nismo Z S-Tune S2 is the way to go. Unfortunately, the price of a ticket doesn't come cheap. The engine mods alone will run you 892,500 (about $7500). Factor in the suspension, brake and the bodykit upgrades and you have a car costing about $40,000. But after driving this thing, the race-car sensation it provides is well worth the money. Even when it's raining.