| Also called | Nissan Z32 |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–2000 number produced: 164,170 (for export: 99,286) (for JDM: 64,884) |
| Predecessor | Nissan 300ZX (Z31) |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door coupe |
| Engine | 3.0 L VG30DE V6 3.0 L VG30DETT V6 |
| Transmission | 5-Speed RS5R30A Manual Transmission 4-Speed RE4R01A Automatic Transmission 4-Speed RE4R03A Automatic Transmission |
| Wheelbase | 2,450 mm (96.5 in) 2 seater 2,570 mm (101.2 in) 2+2 |
| Length | 4,305 mm (169.5 in) 2 seater 4,520 mm (178.0 in) 2+2 |
| Width | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) 2 seater 1,800 mm (70.9 in) 2+2 |
| Height | 1990-92: 49.2 in (1,250 mm) 1990-92 T-Roof Turbo & Convertible: 49.4 in (1,255 mm) 1993-98: 48.4 in (1,229 mm) 1993-98 T-Roof 2+2: 48.1 in (1,222 mm) 1993-95 Convertible: 49.5 in (1,257 mm) 1996-98 Slicktop: 48.3 in (1,227 mm) 1996-98 Convertible: 48.7 in (1,237 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,186 lb (1,445 kg) 2 seater non-turbo T-top 3,373 lb (1,530 kg) 2 seater twin-turbo T-top 3,310 lb (1,501 kg) 2 seater twin-turbo hard top 3,432 lb (1,557 kg) 2 seater convertible 3,313 lb (1,503 kg) 2+2 non-turbo T-top 3,602 lb (1,634 kg) 2+2 twin-turbo T-top |
| Designer(s) | Isao Sono & Toshio Yamashita (1987) |
The only thing that remained unchanged from the previous generation 300ZX was the displacement of the 3-liter engine, now with dual overhead camshafts(DOHC), variable valve timing(VVT) and producing a rated 222 hp (166 kW) and 198 lb·ft (268 N·m) in naturally aspirated form. The big news for enthusiasts, however, was the turbo variant, now upgraded with twin Garrett turbochargers and dual intercoolers. This was good for 300 hp (224 kW) along with 283 lb·ft (384 N·m) of torque. Performance varied from 0-60 times of 5.0-6.0 seconds depending on the source, and it had a governed top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h).
Upon its release, the new 300ZX became an instant hit, winning Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" in 1990 as well as "One of the Top Ten Performance Cars". Automobile Magazine honors the 300ZX/300ZX Turbo as its "Design of the Year" and adds it to their "All Stars" list. Road & Track names the 300ZX Turbo "One of the Ten Best Cars in the World", and Car and Driver adds it to their 10Best for the seven years in which it was in production in America. American Z-car sales reach the one million sales mark in the 1990 model year, making it the all-time best selling sports car.
Nissan utilized the Cray-II supercomputer to completely design the new 300ZX with a form of CAD software. This made the 300ZX one of the first production cars to be developed in a CAD program. In return, it featured a whole host of technological advancements. On the twin turbo models, four-wheel steering was available under the name Super HICAS (High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering). The twin turbochargers, intercoolers, and requisite plumbing made for a cramped engine bay.
Like previous generations Nissan offered a 2+2 model with the Z32. In 1992, a convertible version was introduced for the first time in the Z-car's history, as a response to aftermarket conversions. All 300ZXs now featured T-tops as standard, yet there were some rare hardtops (known as slicktops) produced as well.
The 300ZX was doomed to the same fate of many Japanese sports cars of the time. The mid-1990s trend toward SUVs and the rising Yen:Dollar ratio were both influential in ending North American 300ZX sales in 1996 at over 80,000 units sold (production for other markets continued until 2000). In 1989 the 300ZX was priced at about $30,000, but in its final year this price had increased to around $50,000. This left many people questioning its value, and despite a final Commemorative Edition for the final 300 units shipped to America (complete with decals and certificates of authenticity), the Z-Car was on hiatus. In Japan, however, the 300ZX lived until 2000 with a face-lift in 1998 including a new fascia, tail lights, head lights, rear spoiler, and a few other minor changes.
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