350Z
Launched in July 2002 under the Z33 code, the Nissan 350Z brought the Z-car line back after the 300ZX ended production in 2000. In Japan it retained the Fairlady Z name, while 350Z was used in several international markets. Its basic formula was deliberately straightforward: a two-seat cabin, rear-wheel drive, and a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 from Nissan’s VQ35DE family. Nissan quoted 280 PS and 363 Nm for the Japanese-market version. A soft-top Roadster joined the range in 2003. Within the ScanRacer coverage, the model is represented by two separate variants: Coupé for 2002 and Roadster for 2003. These entries describe the Z33’s early phase, before later changes to output, equipment, trim structure, and exterior details. Market specifications can differ, so power figures should always be read in their regional context.
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Variants by year
Make: Nissan · Model: 350Z
2 / 2 versions shown
2003
2002
Nissan 350Z photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Launched in July 2002 under the Z33 code, the Nissan 350Z brought the Z-car line back after the 300ZX ended production in 2000. In Japan it retained the Fairlady Z name, while 350Z was used in several international markets. Its basic formula was deliberately straightforward: a two-seat cabin, rear-wheel drive, and a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 from Nissan’s VQ35DE family. Nissan quoted 280 PS and 363 Nm for the Japanese-market version. A soft-top Roadster joined the range in 2003. Within the ScanRacer coverage, the model is represented by two separate variants: Coupé for 2002 and Roadster for 2003. These entries describe the Z33’s early phase, before later changes to output, equipment, trim structure, and exterior details. Market specifications can differ, so power figures should always be read in their regional context.
History
The 350Z emerged during an important period for Nissan. After the 300ZX ended production in August 2000, Nissan revealed a new Z concept at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. Strong public interest helped move the project toward production. The Z33 went on sale in Japan in July 2002 as the Fairlady Z, while 350Z became the name used in North America and several other export markets. Compared with the technically complex twin-turbo 300ZX, the new car followed a clearer formula: a naturally aspirated V6, rear-wheel drive, and a dedicated two-seat body. The original engine was the 3,498 cc VQ35DE V6. Nissan’s Japanese heritage material lists 280 PS and 363 Nm for the early Fairlady Z specification. A Roadster with an electrically operated soft top was added in 2003. Nissan records Z33 production through December 2008, after which the car was replaced by the Z34, known as the 370Z in many markets. Nissan also states that more than 250,000 350Zs were produced during the model’s six-year run. That combination of accessible layout, strong V6 performance, and renewed Z identity made the Z33 a significant modern chapter in Nissan’s sports-car history.
Generations
The 350Z belongs to the fifth generation of Nissan’s Z-car family and carries the internal Z33 designation. It is therefore not merely a facelift of the 300ZX Z32, but a new technical and design chapter introduced after a two-year gap in the Z line. Nissan retained key Z themes while giving the car a more contemporary, tightly drawn body. The basic layout remained consistent with the series: a two-seat cabin, front-mounted engine, and rear-wheel drive. Only one generation is relevant to the early ScanRacer entries: the Z33 launched from 2002 onward. The two listed variants are body styles rather than separate generations. The Coupé introduced the range, while the Roadster arrived in 2003 with a fabric convertible top and an open cabin. Both are associated with Nissan’s naturally aspirated VQ35DE V6 family, although exact specifications can vary by market, model year, and equipment level. The Z33 was later succeeded by the Z34, a separate generation commonly marketed as the 370Z outside Japan. This makes the 350Z’s position in the broader lineage straightforward: it is the fifth-generation Z, placed between the 300ZX and the 370Z. Later Z33 updates should not be confused with a new generation, even when engine output or trim content changed.
Key differences
The main distinction between the two recorded variants is body style. The Coupé, represented in the ScanRacer context for 2002, has a fixed roof and a fastback profile intended to retain the Z33’s structural character and grand-touring practicality. The Roadster, associated with 2003, uses a power-operated soft top. Nissan states that the open version was added in 2003 and retained the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 from the VQ35DE family. These names should not automatically be read as two different engines. Output, transmissions, equipment, suspension tuning, and trim structure can vary by market and model year. A reliable identification should therefore combine the body style with the production or model year, market specification, chassis information, and original documentation. The Coupé/Roadster distinction is useful for a first classification, but it does not by itself establish every mechanical or equipment difference between individual cars.
Photo recognition
The 350Z is first identified by its two-seat sports-car proportions: a long hood, set-back cabin, and short rear section. The Z33 uses rounded body surfaces, pronounced front and rear haunches, and a low nose with vertically oriented headlamps that make the front appear wide. In profile, the Coupé has a sweeping roofline that flows into a steep rear hatch. The Roadster is immediately distinguished by its fabric convertible roof, the absence of a fixed roof structure, and the open-air separation between the cabin and rear deck. The Z33 designation is a valuable documentary clue, but it does not establish a particular market or trim level on its own. The most dependable checks are the manufacturer plate, vehicle identification number, body style, and model year. Wheels, bumpers, colors, badges, and interior equipment may vary by market or may have been changed during the car’s life. A photograph can usually identify the 350Z family, but it may not be sufficient to determine an exact factory specification.
Important versions
Within the supplied ScanRacer context, two variants are relevant. The Coupé is the 2002 entry: it is the fixed-roof body that introduced the Z33 and carries the fastback profile most closely associated with the 350Z. The Roadster is the 2003 entry: it adds a power-operated soft top and open-air driving without representing a new generation. Commercial trims and equipment levels varied between markets, so they should not be inferred from the Coupé and Roadster names alone. Comparisons between cars are most reliable when the model year, country of origin, chassis information, and period documentation are retained alongside the body-style designation.
References
- https://www.automobile-catalog.com/model/nissan_usa/350z_z33_na.htmlautomobile-catalog.com
- https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/nissan_usa/350z_z33_na/350z_z33_na_coupe/2003.htmlautomobile-catalog.com
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 287 chevaux à 6 200 tr/min | — | — | Propulsion arrière / Manuelle à 6 vitesses ou automatique à 5 vitesses | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Nissan 350Z produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2002 - 2003.
- How many Nissan 350Z examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 9 published scans from 9 members, with the latest photo added in September 2026.
- What is the power output of the Nissan 350Z?
- The sourced technical data lists 287 chevaux à 6 200 tr/min.
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