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A
small team of Nissan development engineers working in their
spare time were the driving force behind the 350Z GT-S concept.
Designed to appeal to Nissan 350Z owners who want something
a bit more serious, the GT-S is powered by a supercharged version
of the standard cars V6 engine.
Although boasting a power increase and a substantially modified
chassis, the GT-S is far from being a stripped out race car
with a rock hard ride and a peaky power delivery.
Nissan’s Communications Director Wayne Bruce says: "The GT-S
has been created as a real car not an ornament.
"We wanted to build a ‘Club Special’ that could still be used
to commute to work during the week but would provide added thrills
at the weekend: a weekday workhorse and a weekend warrior in
one distinctive package."
The project’s technical leader Steve Robbins – who during the
week is a senior engineer in the new vehicle evaluation team
at NTCE – gathered together half a dozen like-minded enthusiasts
to work on the project.
Working after hours and at the weekend, the team members came
from within NTCE and also from outside suppliers and was known
internally as the S-Club Seven.
The principal changes made to turn the 350Z into the GT-S center
on its engine and chassis. Using a supercharger installation
from Swiss manufacturers Novidem, power has increased by more
than 25 per cent from 300 bhp to 382 bhp, while torque rises
from 260 lb-ft to a heady 314 lb-ft.
Performance gains are expected to include a one second cut in
the benchmark 0-60 mph time (5.8 seconds for the standard 350Z)
with 2.5 seconds slashed from the 0-100 mph 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.
NTCE engineers have undertaken the suspension changes. Working
closely with specialists from Bilstein, the changes concentrate
on optimizing road performance, with improvements in both handling
ability and ride comfort, particularly on British ‘B’ roads.
Wider wheels and tires complete the chassis alterations.
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 civilized than the standard
350Z.
Steve Robbins said: "We could have produced a balls-out racer
with huge power outputs and very little suspension movement.
But while this would have created a superb racer, it would have
been virtually unusable on the road. Instead we approached the
GT-S from an engineering stand-point with a view to creating
a 350Z that provides more of everything: performance, handling,
looks, comfort and excitement.
"We also looked at the possible marketing potential of such
a project and have designed the improvements as individual ‘packs’
– an engine pack, a suspension pack, aero pack and so on – and
kept a close eye on costs."
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