2006 Nissan 350Z at Annual Z Club Gathering

Press Release

First Official Appearance

The new 2006 350Z sports car, which features the Z®’s first comprehensive updating since its introduction in the United States market in August 2002, makes its public debut August 15 – 19, 2005 at the 18th International Z Car Convention in Syracuse, New York.  More than 500 Z® owners are expected to attend the event with their vehicles.

The changes to the 350Z, which has sold over 100,000 units in the United States in its first three years, for the 2006 model year include a revised front end appearance, enhanced interior and available lightweight 18-inch front/19-inch rear 5-spoke forged alloy wheels (Track Coupe and Grand Touring Coupe only). 

Other highlights of the annual gathering of Nissan and Datsun Z® owners from around the world, include a track day at the historic Watkins Glen Road Course, an autocross competition, drifting demonstration, car show, “sock hop” dance and an appearance by Yutaka Katayama, the 95-year old “father of the Z®” who is making his annual appearance at the event. 
Katayama, who is known by Z® enthusiasts as “Mr. K,” served as the first president of Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. and was a driving force in bringing the original 1970 Datsun 240Z to the United States – a move that helped establish Nissan as an innovative, performance-oriented company in the world’s largest automotive market.  

Though retired for many decades, Katayama still keeps an office at Nissan’s Motorsports organization, NISMO, in Japan and still drives a 350Z.

A special auction of Nissan racing items will take place at this year’s Z Convention, with the proceeds earmarked for the “Make-a-Wish Foundation,” Katayama’s preferred charity.

This year’s Z® Convention is sponsored by the Z-Car Clubs of New York, including chapters in Rochester, Syracuse and Albany.  The theme of the event is “Great Northeast Z® Adventure.”

“We’re proud to once again be participating in this great grassroots Z® gathering,” said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA).  “We’re also pleased that our loyal Z® owners will be the among the first to see the enhanced 2006 350Z model.”

Among the other revisions for 2006 are a new Grand Touring Coupe model, featuring the 18-inch front/19-inch rear wheels, Brembo® brakes, front and rear spoiler and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) has been added to the model lineup, and all 6-speed manual transmission models now receive the 300-horsepower* tuning of the Z®’s standard 3.5-liter DOHC V6.  Also new for 2006 is vehicle speed sensitive power steering.  Models equipped with the 5-speed automatic transmission are rated at 287 horsepower.

For 2006, the 350Z is again available in Coupe and Roadster body styles and in an array of models – five for the Coupe and three for the Roadster.  Other enhancements include standard 18-inch cast aluminum-alloy wheels (except Coupe Track and Grand Touring models), standard bi-xenon (low and high beam) headlights, added mp3 CD capability for the available Bose® audio system and three new exterior paint colors.