- Refined and free-revving 3.0-litre V6 engine
- Impressive dynamics and compliant ride
- Body feels solid and balanced
- Weight blunts outright performance
- Poor visibility for rear seat occupants
- Cramped interior
Overview
Released in Australia in December 1989, the Nissan Z32 300ZX was a two-door coupe with a targa roof and two-plus-two seating. Manufactured in Hiratsuka, Japan, the rear-wheel drive 300ZX was available in two-seat coupes, convertibles and twin-turbocharged engines were in overseas markets; this review, however, only covers the 300ZX models imported by Nissan Australia.
VG30DE engine
The 300ZX was powered by Nissan’s 3.0-litre VG30DE V6 petrol engine which had a cast iron block, aluminium cylinder heads, double overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, four valves per cylinder, twin throttle bodies and a compression ratio of 10.5:1. The engine also featured Nissan’s Variable Cam Timing system (N-VCT) which varied valve timing by rotating the camshafts relative to the sprocket.
Transmission choices consisted of four-speed automatic or five-speed manual units.
Dimensions and suspension
The 300ZX was 4525 mm long, 1800 mm wide, 1255 mm tall and had a 2570 mm long wheelbase.
The 300ZX had three-link front suspension with unequal length upper and lower arms and independent, multi-link rear suspension.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300ZX | 3.0-litre petrol V6 (VG30DE) |
5sp man., 4sp auto |
168 kW at 6400 rpm | 271 Nm at 4800 rpm |
Safety equipment
Initially, standard safety equipment for the 300ZX was limited to ABS. From March 1994, however, the 300ZX was fitted with a driver’s airbag.
Brakes
S The Z32 300ZX had 280 mm by 30 mm vented front brake discs with four-piston calipers and 297 mm by 18 mm vented rear discs with twin-piston calipers.
Features
Standard features for the 300ZX included 16-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, contoured sports seats, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, central locking, power windows and power mirrors. As standard, the 300ZX was also fitted with a viscous limited-slip differential.
In September 1992, standard features extended to include climate control air conditioning and velour trim. From March 1994, the 300ZX also featured a CD player and was fitted with a rear pedestal-type spoiler.
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