We were immediately intrigued, prompting us to ask the folks at local Nissan reps about this familiar-yet-unusual-looking vehicle. They looked at us as if we drank too much cough syrup. Well, it was time to investigate on our own. A quick trip to Japan not only verified the existence of this automobile, we discovered that there are actually two versions. Here's what we uncovered.
Nissan maintains that the "official" raison d'ętre of this new long-nose Z, called the Type E, is to "commemorate the 350Z's involvement in Japanese motorsports." Nice try. We found out later that the real reason the company built the Type E was to homologate the 350Z for the All Japan Grand Touring Championship (JGTC). The JGTC is Japan's most popular form of racing ...think of it as NASCAR for Japan, only the races are run on road courses and all race cars must be based on a production car. But, you may ask, isn't the 350Z production? Yes, but Nismo (Nissan's motorsports division) maintained that the 350Z's aerodynamics wasn't up to par for the kind of speeds seen in JGTC racing (we're talking 180-plus mph), so Nismo engineers dramatically altered the Z's shape, lengthening the nose and rear to generate more downforce at higher speeds. The exterior changes were so drastic that the car no longer could represent the 350Z under JGTC rules. So rather than going back to the drawing board and creating a new race car, Nissan engineers decided it was easier to build a production version based on the new race Z.

Thus, the long-nose Type E was born.

All five production models of the Type E have been spoken for (all sold in Japan), and we were told by Nissan's public relations department in Japan that getting into one for our test purposes was "impossible." End of the line? Not quite, because something even better came along; apparently, Nismo had created its own version of the long-nose Z that not only shared the same body style of the Type E, but also had a more powerful engine. This could prove valuable in ascertaining what may be to come in the next-generation 350Z here in North America. After a few discreet calls, we had ourselves a test drive.

At first glance, Nismo's Fairlady Z S-Tune GT may look like something from Toon Town, but once you take a step back and absorb the entire shape, the car looks quite attractive. What once had the air of a Porsche (the stock Z) now possesses a Jaguaresque character. The front has been lengthened 7.1 in., via a new bumper complete with an aggressive spoiler lip, while a totally redesigned rear bumper represents another 5.3 in. of the car's 182.1-in. overall length. There's also a new rear wing that provides additional downforce to keep the car's rear end steady. Custom sideskirts, forged 19-in. alloy wheels and functional brake vents on the quarter panels spice up the car's profile.

On the expressway, the S-Tune Z is as stable as a rock. One hundred miles per hour feels like 40, with the car tracking flawlessly on the even pavement. It's immediately clear at these high speeds that the new body parts pay huge dividends in keeping the car composed. Also of note here is an angry growl resonating from the engine compartment, the likes of which we've never heard from a Nissan. Residing there is Nismo's S1 engine that produces an impressive 300hp at 6400 rpm and 268lb.-ft. of torque at 4400.

The S1 is basically a pumped-up version of the 3.5-liter V-6 powerplant in the 350Z. Nismo engineers took apart the base VQ V-6 and rebuilt it using more than a dozen new parts — including new camshafts, revised ECU, freer-flowing intake and exhaust, heavy-duty clutch, a lightweight flywheel and reinforced valve springs and connecting rods. The result is a powerplant that's virtually race-ready, with excellent power delivery and throttle response throughout the rev range. It has a better top end, too, with the engine's redline extended from 6600 to 7200 rpm.

It's clear that the S1 is a different breed from the stock VQ as soon as it comes to life. It emits a wonderful sound that is reminiscent of something from Italy, inviting you to continually tap the throttle pedal. Once you're ready to go, the car launches with the rear 275/35ZR-19 Bridgestone Potenza tires spewing white smoke as the car shoots forward. The 6-speed manual gearbox remains unchanged from the stock 350Z, so you can expect well-defined gates and a solid overall feel, as well as somewhat long throws. And the brakes are simply fantastic. Fourteen-inch vented discs with four-piston Brembo calipers at both front and rear do an admirable job of bringing the car to a stop. Pedal feel is excellent, and we experienced no hint of fade, even after a full day of hard driving.

The 3470-lb. S-Tune GT reached 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, the same time as the 350Z Track Model. The probable reason here is that with all the exterior add-ons, the S-Tune GT weighs about 160 lb. more than its counterpart. Also, testing conditions on this day were less than ideal: A slick road surface and high ambient temperature probably

So how much does one pay for this special 350Z? The question is moot because this car is not available in the States or Europe, and there are no plans to bring any over. For the record, the car costs approximately $60,000, US which makes it about twice the price of a stock 350Z. But all is not lost. Nismo has set up shop in North America though the company sells only aftermarket parts, not complete cars (you can have the installation performed at most Nissan service centers). There may be a chance Nismo will make most of the S-Tune GT parts available here, and there.....who knows?