Project CARS 3: Power of Z

For a video game first, a car bearing the new Nissan logo has arrived in Project CARS 3 via the Power Pack DLC and this Nissan is none other than a prototype that previews the first Fairlady Z of the Reiwa era. It's time to get to know the next-generation Fairlady Z in concept form.

The concept bearing the new Nissan logo in question is called the Z Proto, it's the preview of the next-generation Fairlady Z coming soon and when it hits, it will be the first Fairlady Z of the Reiwa era and it will possess greater values compared to its Z34 predecessor.

First hinted at the Nissan A-Z teaser video last May 2020 and then unveiled to the world at the Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, Japan, last September 2020, the Z Proto pays tribute to the Fairlady Z's 50-year history since the first one and it promises to be the ultimate Z ever made. The Z Proto's exterior design is a greatest hits compilation of the Fairlady Z lineage. The exterior sports a yellow pearlescent paint exterior, a homage to a popular color scheme applied on the S30 and Z32, while the front design draws inspiration from the 240ZG, a side view from the original S30 Fairlady Z, and the rearview inspired from the Z32. On the interior, the Z Proto features cutting-edge technology with vintage touches.

Nissan says that the Z Proto promises to be the ultimate Z ever made because of its turbocharged V6 engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox but out of curiosity, no one knows what kind of turbocharged V6 this prototype runs on but some say, it's the 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine lifted from the Skyline V37 400R and some say it's been tipped to produce almost 450PS of power. If it's true, we're looking at the most powerful Z ever made, and looks like Nissan's on the roll to create the Z to end all Z generations in the midst of the new normal.

It's true that Nissan said that the Z Proto is an exhilarating, dynamic performer but it's a lot more than that because thanks to some extensive R&D and after rigorous torture tests on the track, the next Z Proto is poised to be the quickest and the most agile Z ever made and to put this theory to the test...

...I've visited the Fuji Speedway and find out if the next Fairlady Z is better than its predecessor, the Z34 Fairlady Z, which is also included in Project CARS 3's Power Pack.

Almost 13 years of fun before its imminent replacement and still going on strong, this Z34 really is something, but this is no time to get sentimental because it's time to find out if the next Z is better than the soon-to-be-replaced Z34 Fairlady Z. With that, let the experiment begin.

After a hot lap, here are the results;

Z34 - 2:09.437

Z Proto - 2:00.313

Guess Nissan's not lying about the next Fairlady Z's capabilities because they really mean it!

The Z Proto not only previews the next-generation Fairlady Z but also celebrates its five-decade history as a sportscar that rewrites the rules. From surviving through the Safari Rally to IMSA, from Super GT to Formula Drift, the Fairlady Z really is the true Japanese masterpiece speedo boys can't get enough of, and with the imminent arrival of the next Fairlady Z, the preparation begins.

It's an honor for Project CARS 3 to feature a new Nissan car bearing the new Nissan logo. Speaking of which...

Brace yourselves. Z is coming...

GT SPORT: Sung Kang's Fugu Z

Did you know that when Fast and Furious alum Sung Kang had nothing to do in his spare time, he enlisted help from GReddy, one of the aftermarket brands known to speedo boys many, to make an S30Z that became the winner of the Gran Turismo Award at the SEMA Show a few years ago? So what is it then this Fugu Z?





That question can only be answered by the man behind the Fugu Z build but for starters, the Fast and Furious alum wanted to make an S30Z that woos not just the SEMA crowd but also on social media. Sung Kang enlisted his friends from Rocket Bunny and GReddy USA for this operation.

Miura-san provided the body kit for the S30Z, which is somewhat rather unique because the Rocket Bunny kit for the S30Z can bear resemblance to the Wangan Midnight hero car, the Devil Z, but this is no devil here. After all, onto the engine part, the Fugu Z's 2.6L RB six-cylinder engine had its turbochargers stripped out, which is a bit of a challenge because naturally aspirated cams don't exist on an engine like this.

After their challenging engine build, the Rocket Bunny-kitted S30Z was painted in Kilimanjaro White, then the interior was revised with new parts, and the suspension's optimized to make sure it wouldn't damage the Rocket Bunny kit because of the fat Nitto tires.

The main result is a 290hp JDM wonder that became the talk of the town among speedo boys everywhere while the Fast and Furious alum deserves all the credit behind the Fugu Z and while this is basically a work in progress, it's time for me to find out how the Fugu Z was made for and with that, I went to Willow Springs.







A car that produces less than three hundred horses through the rear wheels, made by Han from the Fast and Furious films and friends, getting behind the wheel of the Fugu Z really puts between the scale of standard and challenging and if I have to describe the experience with it, I bet that it's in the boundary between sweet and spicy. At first, it feels so normal to drive but when the corners kick in, that's where the challenging part shifts it takes a lot of skill to get back on track but because it produces a modest amount of power, there are no problems with it. It's just you, the driver, and the car getting to know each other.

Speaking of which, care to guess what I did with it? If so, let's roll the tape.





The Fugu Z is the dream car Sung Kang envisioned to deliver his Fast and Furious antics to the motoring world and such a creation really appeals to speedo boys everywhere. Although it is near perfection, the Fugu Z is a worthy driver's car that charms through various roads and tracks like an ideal JDM masterpiece. It's no wonder why it won the GT Award at the SEMA Show and got landed in GT SPORT but anyway, let's leave it here because words aren't enough to express the Fugu Z's uniqueness and driving is the only way to get to know this car more. That is the bottom line.

Forza Horizon 4: The Z32

Is the Nissan Fairlady Z Z32 was one of the best cars to emerge from the early years of the Heisei era? Well, having fought myself through the endless autumn fun and games I've been into, I got my hands on this JDM classic in the world of Forza Horizon 4, I got myself a chance to drive one of the Heisei era's greatest hits from Nissan.



The Z32-spec Fairlady Z was launched in the summer of 1989 and was made to be more upmarket and more high performance than its Z31 predecessor. The Twin Turbo variant featured active rear wheel steering system called Super HICAS, first introduced on the R31 Nissan Skyline. Being the first to be marketed under the JAMA regulations that lasted until the dawn of the 21st century, the turbocharged 3.0L VG30DETT V6 Twin Turbo engine, mated in either a 5-speed MT or a 4-speed AT, produces only 280PS, which is the power ceiling imposed back then until 2004.

It was one of the first production cars to be utilized by a supercomputer to design this car in the form of CAD software.

Production of the Z32 lasted until the end of 2000 and two years later after its absence, its Z33 successor was launched.



Okay, no time for chit chat about this car because it's time to let the Z32 out for a little night out with the other drivers.



Job well done, there's nothing else I can say.

Enjoy your new ride!

Project CARS 2: Driving with a Daytona legend

The Daytona International Speedway is reopening their doors for this weekend's endurance race and to celebrate the very occasion, how about taking a ride with one of the most legendary Daytona champions in history and this one is something Japanese...



The legend in question is the Nissan Z32 Fairlady Z that nicked a class win at the 1994 Daytona 24 Hour race and because this is the one that achieved class win at the Daytona endurance race in 1994, now it will be the ideal time to talk about the car's resume, which is not bad for a race car that was based on the Z32 Nissan Fairlady Z (known in the world market as the 300ZX).



Known to be one of the most notable drivers in the history of the IMSA, Steve Millen drove the Z32 for Clayton Cunningham Racing from 1990 to 1995 and thanks to him, the Z32 ruled the GTO (later called GTS because of chassis and engine regulation changes) class of the IMSA but his the Z32's biggest shot of fame is its 24 Hours of Daytona victory in 1994 and then later in Le Mans where the Z32 nicked a GTS-1 class win. That's how legendary this machine is as well as its astonishing resume that made the Z32 worthy of having such motorsport pedigree, something that its modern successors never had in the first place.



Anyway, no time for getting overexcited about driving a champion car because driving in Daytona is serious business especially when you're taking on the endurance race happening this weekend. Driving the IMSA GTS-spec Z32 may be old-school but think of it like you're going home-schooling to learn about what to expect in Daytona International Speedway. There is no real secret to conquering this track; it's just hard work and discipline and if you're slacking off even when you're ahead, you're going to lose everything so it's important to pay attention not just the surroundings but the car itself because if its time for a change, it's time.

So, with that lesson done, how about a little clip of me taking a spin on a legendary racecar round Daytona? This should be good, it's like crossing out from one of my motoring bucket lists.





My time with the legendary IMSA GTS-spec Z32 Fairlady is almost up but the taste of what you can expect in Daytona this weekend is just the beginning because with different kinds of cars you might come across, the difference between a victory and defeat lies within you, the car, and the surroundings. So, to all the drivers out there spending their weekend at Daytona, I bid you good luck.

FH3 Hot Wheels: Z has come to...

Hey! Remember this car? It's the S30 Fairlady Z that I replicated into the Devil Z a long time ago. Looks like the first-ever Fairlady Z can't leave me alone for a while and because this classic JDM icon heard about the thrills and spills from Hot Wheels Thrilltopia, it just couldn't contain itself and I decided to take it for a stroll round Thrilltopia for a change.



Well, here we are. One classic Japanese sports icon meets the fantasy world of Hot Wheels in obstacle-laden glory where it takes guts to gain glory in this twisted landscape. Need I say more? Anyway, the S30 Fairlady Z is enjoying some rollercoaster moments round Thrilltopia, sampling the sights and sounds of this epic fantasy playground little boys could dream of, and because the Z is having so much fun at this place, this car is decided to rally up some Z drivers for a battle to remember. Of course, while this Fairlady Z is replicated for highway battles like the Devil Z does in the Wangan Midnight series, it wasn't quite enough to survive the hidden perils of Thrilltopia so it's off to the shop and get prepped up for Hot Wheels duty.



One thing I'm aware on this update is that it lost some of its torque and gained some weight in the process but on the upshot, it massively gained a lot of power while retaining my little trump card that I used on this car, the 4WD powertrain swap because added power mean added trouble for a rear-wheel drive car. Although I'm not aware with the current situation with my Z, this classic car is brave enough to take the challenge while I'm figuring out what's wrong with this Z. So, without further ado, let the battle begin...



The S30 Fairlady Z proved the other Z-cars who's the boss and even in Hot Wheels Thrilltopia, that was the real decider. Speaking of which, I figured out what's wrong with my Z-car and it's on the size of the tires. Darn, should have known better, but still it was quite a journey for the S30Z to tackle through every Thrilltopia obstacle after another. Even for an old-timer, this classic S30Z knows how to take on leaps and bounds this fantasy playground can throw it with and that's quite an adventure for me to drive a legendary icon in this epic thriller of a playground.

Although I faced some mishaps with this car, who would have thought that a nice stroll with this car at Thrilltopia became something else? At least there's something I learned on this journey and whatever that is would be very memorable to me and a legend like the S30 Fairlady Z.

Forza Horizon 3: The Devil Z...sorta

As stoic JDM speedo boys believed, a first-generation Datsun Fairlady Z remains one of the most important forefathers of the JDM sportscar realm apart from the 2000GT from Toyota and the Cosmo from Mazda but apart from being one of the founding fathers of every speedo boys' favorite, it remains one of the unsung heroes of the seinen manga/anime genre when it became the star of the Wangan Midnight franchise as the Devil Z, the demon of the Wangan expressway that main character Akio Asakura braved enough to master this powerful machine. We always wanted the S30 Fairlady Z to look like the mythical demon of the Wangan Expressway, until now...

You have to thank this game's new "bodykit" feature because if you equip this car with the Rocket Bunny kit, you now have a Z that has a closer resemblance to the Devil Z. A dream come true, huh? But not quite yet because in order to become the Devil Z, apart from its looks, it has to behave like one, and that means giving it lots and lots of power but do it at your own risk because if you give it too much power, it's going to be very undrivable due to the nightmarish torque that plunge you through to an unavoidable wheelspin nightmare so you might want to balance on how fast it goes and how good to handle. I know, I tried making this one with a thousand horsepower output but that wheelspin's killing me badly so I tone it down a little.

My recreation of the Devil Z isn't much of a Devil Z I hoped for but it's one heck of an enjoyable ride if I had to take a little time off from my Festival duties, like, you know, street races. Let's see how much I can work on this recreation of a mythical Wangan legend. My Devil Z isn't ready yet.

2015 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

Last year, the Z34 Nissan Fairlady Z got itself a NISMO version and for the NISMO version, part of Nissan's revitalized NISMO performance brand, the speedo boy favorite Nissan FR sportscar has gotten even better and its VQ37VHR's power output is up from 336PS to 355PS of power while being mated with either a 7-speed auto or a 6-speed manual gearbox with SynchroRev match system in which the revs match the gearbox.

2015 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

In Nissan's quest for more Zswagger-ness, this Zswagger has been upgraded. Their 2015 update on the Fairlady Z NISMO is almost as sharper as its big brother, the GT-R NISMO, in terms of exterior design. See?

2015 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO speedometer

2015 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO interior

So, the exterior for the 2015 Z NISMO is new, right. Because of its GT-R-inspired front bumpers, not only it looks aggressive but it's also more aerodynamic than the last Z NISMO. Other changes include a deep front fascia with LED Hyper Daytime Running Lights, black headlight bezels, a Nismo emblem, and a signature Nismo red stripe accent on the integrated front chin spoiler. On the back, you will notice that the rear bumper's been redesigned and the rear spoiler has been reshaped and downsized. Also, its 19's rims, developed by RAYS ENGINEERING, have been redesigned and it's finished in charcoal gray instead of silver from the last model.

Inside, you can expect new black and red Recaro leather-appointed sport seats with red seat trim and stitching with the Nismo logo as well as an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. The speedometer still reads up to 280kph, just like the previous Z NISMO. This will surely keep the Zswaggers longing for days on the road and on the track.

2015 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

Like the previous model, the Fairlady Z NISMO's VQ37VHR engine develops 355PS of power while being mated with either a 7-speed auto or a 6-speed manual gearbox with SynchroRev match system in which the revs match the gearbox. Handling aside, the NISMO model adds dynamics Zswaggers would only dream of such as extensive use of 4-wheel independent suspension, Nismo-branded strut tower brace, and performance dampers. There are even tons of several improvements for this 2015 model that will keep Zswaggers enjoying for days.

The 6-speed manual model costs 5,626,800 Yen while the 7-speed automatic model costs 5,734,800 Yen.

Available colors: Vibrant Red, Diamond Black, Brilliant Silver, and Brilliant White Pearl.

Photo: Nissan Motor Corporation

Nissan to stop producing Z34 Fairlady Z Roadster this Fall

It's a sad day to the Z enthusiasts in Japan that there was a report told that Nissan will stop producing the Z34-spec Fairlady Z Roadster (known worldwide as the 370Z Roadster) this September 2014.

The Z34 Fairlady Z Roadster was launched in Japan since October 2009 and it was facelifted alongside its coupe equivalent since July 2012. Sadly as of April 2014, about 798 units of the open-top Z34 were sold in the midst of Japan's 8% sales tax hike that was implemented last month.

Also, the 2015MY Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34) Nismo will be on sale to the Japanese market this summer.

Related Information URL : http://m.car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140522_649716.html

2014 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

Yes, the March NISMO was made to be a beginner's car suitable for track day weekends but for the upperclassmen of the track day scene, there's also another NISMO out there and it seems that the newly reborn NISMO brand is becoming what AMG does to Mercedes-Benz, M Power does to BMW, and SRT does to Chrysler brands.

2014 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

Part of the ever-expanding NISMO brand is the 2014 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO, which is now more of an ultimate version of the speedo boy favorite Nissan FR sportscar with some added genes of Nissan's involvement in the world of motorsports. For the 2014 model, the Z NISMO now sticks with the new Nismo design theme with distinctive new exterior and interior accents which was applied in the Juke and March models.

First of all, it looks like the Version NISMO model that was launched in 2009 and based on the Z34 model but because of the rename from "Version NISMO" to just "NISMO", the main difference for the new Z NISMO is the upgraded aerodynamics, sharper handling, sports tires, rigid body, increased stopping power, and the upgraded version of the VQ37VHR engine.

Wait a minute, the Version NISMO didn't notice it but for the Fairlady Z NISMO (remove the "Version" stuff), NISMO provided a special dual exhaust system with equal-length exhaust manifolds and a new ECM (tuning computer) so the VQ37VHR's power output is now up from 336PS to 355PS of power while being mated with either a 7-speed auto or a 6-speed manual gearbox with SynchroRev match system in which the revs match the gearbox.

2014 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO interior

There's more to this because while most NISMO models are driver-focused cars complete with driver-focused interiors, the Z NISMO is no exception on the inside, the Z NISMO receives a similar NISMO treatment to make it more driver-focused while keeping it luxurious for the fancy businessmen who wanted to be more flashy. There are the special combinations of seats made with genuine leather and suede-like fabric, the steering wheels wrapped in Alcantara, a special genuine leather shift knob, some red stitching, a special number plate, and a special NISMO instrument cluster in which we can find a speedo that reads up to 280kph! Smart move but this was all in the name of being a high-performance version of a high-performance sports car.

2014 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

With all of this special equipment, the pricing is now up to 5,218,500 Japanese Yen, which is kinda expensive for a hot version of the Z but judging from its combat gear that makes it a proper track weapon, it's like munching every menu from the 5-star restaurant while adding the most daring flavoring that no normal person can survive against. It takes a Merc with the Mouth to describe this in an insane kind of way that you'll never ever understand but still it's worth the fun. I know, it's worth the fun during track days but as an everyday car, it's kinda harsh and if you were taking a date with someone to a 5-star restaurant, pretty soon, your date might just steal it. Oh well...

Available colors: Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Diamond Black, and Vibrant Red

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Forza Horizon: The Sleeping S30Z

As I know, the Nissan Fairlady Z S30 set the benchmark in the long fiery bloodline of Nissan sportscars like the Skyline GT-R Hakosuka and it was notably one of the finest classic tuners of the 70's because most "speedo boys" spent their time and resources tweaking the classic S30Z into something more of a Japanese hotrod or something that is made for the street cred, well, I'm not interested about street cred but I think this is how troublemaking are you. Even since Wangan Midnight first published, this S30 garnered a whole new bunch of fans because it was named The Devil Z, driven by Akio Asakura.

As for I, however, I think you can do better than that on the Fairlady S30Z, especially when its taking a fun run on Horizon...

Wait a minute, that's the...

What I have here is the Nissan Fairlady Z S30, which now I made it into the fictitious 600 Coupe-S from a video game called Sleeping Dogs. If you don't know that, it's a video game which is more like "Grand Theft Auto" meets "Yakuza", except you are a undercover cop delving deeper to the secrets of the Triads, leading him to the most dangerous mission in Hong Kong. I love this game, I love its DLC, and I love the way this game offers despite the fact that this is more of an Asian GTA because it's set in Hong Kong.

Because the 600 Coupe-S is a Class C machine, I decided to tweak my S30Z Fairlady to its Class C credentials after lashing out with some paint detail that replicates the 600 Coupe-S' exterior. What you're looking at, ladies and gentlemen, is the future! The future where fiction meets fact. Heh, I once did this to my 2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition when I was planning to recreate the Supercharged Police Cruiser, which again it was on Sleeping Dogs. It took me several minutes to make the Traditional Chinese word for Police. Well, long story short...

You thought that we're in Hong Kong but no! This is Horizon! This is Colorado! I've done it! I'm driving a vintage 60's classic Japanese sports car recreated into a fictitious machine that some say that old-school looks never go out of style! This classic car never gets old when it looks good!

Where was I just now?

Nissan Fairlady Z/370Z (Z34) Phase II

When the Nissan Z34 was launched in December 2008, this new model is more dinosaur-ish and a bit more Jurassic than the old Z33 but needless to say that I was getting fascinated with this kind of model thanks to its new 6-speed SynchroRev manual transmission that combines the tactile reward of shifting your own gears with the perfectly orchestrated downshifts of an automated manual or an automatic. Now, however, there's a new version...

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z

Here it is and of course, it's very dramatic by the looks of it. This latest minor change features a number of enhancements designed to keep the legendary sports car fresh and exciting. Like the old one, the new Z34 is available in coupe, Roadster, and Version NISMO configurations.

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z interior

So, what do you get for the latest minor change? Well, you can expect refreshed front fascia with vertical LED daytime running lights, red reflector added to rear fascia, revised 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, new 18-inch wheels, red-finished brake calipers, dark-finish fuel gauge trim, and Euro-tuned shock absorbers,

Not much of change on the VQ37VHR engine that produces 336PS of power and 365Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 7-speed paddle shift transmission, which is kinda annoying to us, or the hairy chested 6-speed SynchroRev manual transmission that combines the tactile reward of shifting your own gears with the perfectly orchestrated downshifts of an automated manual or an automatic.

2013 Nissan Fairlady Z Version NISMO

On the Fairlady Z Version NISMO though, you can expect a race-inspired cockpit, a specially tuned suspension and unique super-lightweight forged alloy wheels. The VQ37VHR engine has been tuned to add 19PS of power to the standard engine courtesy of the exclusive H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and optimized ECM (Engine Computer Module) control. The 6-speed SynchroRev manual transmission is the standard transmission available which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting while the 7-speed AT is an available option.

Depending on the variant, the new Fairlady Z Z34's available colors are; Premium Sun Flare Orange, Premium Deep Maroon, Dark Blue, Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Dark Metal Gray, Diamond Black, and Vibrant Red.

The new model starts at 3,675,000 Japanese Yen for the base model with 6-speed MT up to 5,240,000 Japanese Yen for the Version NISMO model with 7AT.

My comment:

With such subtle new look, we can say that the 2013 Nissan Fairlady Z Z34 in coupe, Roadster, and Version NISMO variants, are trying to look at its best since its 4-year tenure. I really want this car more than anything else because it has a high stakes to compete against the European sports cars of that size.

Photo: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

Spotlight: 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z (Community Bounty Hunter -sinnermac-)

2003 Nissan Fairlady Z Community Bounty Hunter edition

What you're looking here is a 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z customized by FM4 player sinnermac. His design showcased the bounty hunters of Star Wars such as Jango Fett and Boba Fett. It was selected as the Bounty Hunter prize car for those who beat sinnermac's time at the "Compact Combat" Community Monthly Rival challenge. Those people who beaten sinnermac's time of "00:12.100" at that challenge got rewarded with the 2003 Nissan Fairlady Z modified by sinnermac. I beat sinnermac with a lap time of 00:11.967 using a 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit GTi with some modifications I bought from the storefront that says it can be faster than sinnermac's.

With the Community Bounty Hunter against sinnermac's Compact Combat lap time round and over, seems that I don't need the tuning setup I bought at the storefront and I decided to tune my Rabbit GTi by myself. But anyway, I'll surely keep sinnermac's Z33 with Star Wars Bounty Hunters design as a prize. I would gladly thank sinnermac for this challenge.

Anyone else who beat sinnermac got this?

Z34フェアレディーに、改良

2013 Nissan 370Z

To be showcased at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, coming this February 10 to 19, this revised 2013MY Nissan 370Z (Fairlady Z) Z34 features some mild updates such as a new front bumper that is somewhat derived from the old Z33, red reflector added to the rear fascia, revised 19-inch rims, new 18-inch rims, red-finished brake calipers, dark-finish fuel gauge trim, and Euro-tuned shock absorbers. This keeps the Z34 more updated when this model arrived in Japan since December 2008.

Although no pricing was given, sales for the revised Z34 will start in the USA this Summer 2012. No word when will Japan get this revised model...

Further Reading: http://www.netcarshow.com/nissan/2013-370z/

Welcome Back: 2010 Nissan 370Z

Z34 Version NISMO, Dubai Version...

The Nissan Z34...If my memory serves me correctly, this was served as the 6th generation model of the Nissan Z-Car, replacing the Z33 and it's fitted with a unique VQ37VHR, which is an improved version of the engine the Infiniti G37 is using. I've seen this one on Top Gear USA when Tanner Foust is teaching a blind man how to drift and how to kick the butts of Adam Ferrera and Rutledge Wood, well almost. With the 370Z returned on Forza Motorsport 4, there is a special surprise at the "Aero and Appearance" section because players can now transform the normal 370Z into the current, Autech-created, Z34 Fairlady Z Version NISMO, respectively. I just can't get enough with this kind of modification on this game.

Unfamiliar Tuner

Song played on my Personal BGM: Mommy Complex by Peaches

From the album: I Feel Cream

Opera S2000 and Opera 350Z hanging around
at the Top Gear Test Track

In the days of GT4, there was one tuner that I am not utterly familiar of. You may never heard of it or seen it but this tuner has a strong affiliation with the Gran Turismo crew. That was Opera Performance, a tuner name you are not familiar with but getting familiar with their tuned versions of the S2000 and the Z33.

With Gran Turismo 5 on the run, we are now getting knowledgeable about the Opera S2000 and the Opera Z33. Firstly, let's go over with the Opera Z33. It maybe more of a 350Z to you but this Z33 modified by Opera Performance features an enhanced body kit to make it more aggressive, toughened chassis, improved suspension, lightweight titanium exhaust, and aerodynamics created by the Gran Turismo team. Under the hood, it produces about 335HP/7600rpm of power and 249lb-ft/5500rpm of torque. The Opera Z33 only weighs about 1340kg so I could say about somewhat lighter than the normal Z33.

Now, on the Opera S2000. This Opera-modified Honda S2000 might be lacking more power than the Opera Z33 because of its 261HP power output but what it makes it up for its lack of power is the weight that is somewhat lighter than the Opera Z33 because it is 930kg, allowing the Opera S2000 to corner more efficiently than the Z33 thanks to its improved aerodynamics. Scientifically said that the Opera S2000 is the car developed using GT data for performance figures.

So, the Opera Z33 is excelled to be the most powerful Z33 ever made while the Opera S2000 is made to be the lightest S2000 ever made, with Gran Turismo-inspired technology on it because Opera Performance was a Gran Turismo affiliate. With Gran Turismo technology, these two tuned JDM cars are made with science and shaped to be more track-ready and competitive.

Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo RC

Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo RC

Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo RC

Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo RC

Following the footsteps of its big brother, the Nissan GT-R NISMO RC, this Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo RC is a track-only version of the blockbuster Nissan Fairlady Z/370Z (Z34) sportscar is ready to tame the tracks of Suzuka, Fuji, Motegi, or even Tsukuba.

Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo RC interior

This track-only version of the Z34 comes with a tuned version of the VQ37VHR engine that delivers 355PS of power and 374Nm of torque. Aside from this tuned VQ37VHR engine, the Z34 NISMO RC comes with numerous upgrades on the Exhaust System, Cooling System, Power Train, Body, Suspension, Brakes, Exterior, Interior, and Wheels, It's fitted with a Yokohama Advan sports tires for the best grip.

What's worse that this car has no Vehicle Dynamics Control, Traction Control System, and Electronic Brake Distribution.

Prices start at 13.125 Million Japanese Yen (about a 15 Million Pesos estimate) and it is suitable for racetrack purposes only.

Official site: http://www.nismo.co.jp/products/FAIRLADY_Z_RC/index.html

Nissan Z34 Fairlady Z/370Z - Forza 3 Owner's View

Nissan Z34 at the Touge

Nissan Z34 at the U.K.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS: The Nissan Z34 Fairlady Z or 370Z in global markets was launched since December 2008 and it caused a major phenomenon that this premier Japanese sports car still carries the tradition of being a Z-car. Above all, some Filipinos in the U.S. who are playing Forza Motorsport 3 do prefer using the Z34 because it was designed by some Filipino named Randy Rodriguez, if you know what I mean. And a little FYI though, the Philippine-made ROTA Wheels made an appearance as well. If I can make a suggestion, my favorite ROTA Wheel would be the Tarmac 3 and if I do fit it on the Z34, well what can you say? Stand up be proud!

Anyway, about the Z34, it looks somewhat drastic to master but once I get the hang of it, this is somewhat a wrecking force to be reckoned with, not as a track-burning vehicle but it can also be a good drifter, or good at evading rivals in a game of Tag Virus Infection. Even when the Nissan Fairlady Z (Z34) created from the masters of Nissan Premium Factory, it was a festive treat for JDM lovers everywhere. Happy to say that this is probably one of the best JDM cars appeared on Forza 3 aside from the Lexus IS F and Nissan GT-R R35.