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Rating

Verdict More snore than roar

In many ways the new Nissan 350Z two-seat drop top, with a V6 engine, many speeds and lots of rear-wheel-drive action for those moorland switchbacks, seems ideally suited to the forgotten dream of a balls-out Sunday afternoon thrash.

But hang on. I can tell from the scuttle shake that they’ve skimped on the underfloor strengthening needed to replace some of the rigidity lost when the roof was removed.

I wasn’t taken with the driving position either. The seat doesn’t go back far enough, and while the cockpit layout is logical, there’s not much flair. Nor is the gearbox much cop, and the fuel tank’s too small as well.

There’s a small red light that comes on in the middle of the centrally mounted rev counter to tell you when it might be a good idea to change up. But I can pretty much guarantee you’ll never see it illuminated, because your ears and your fingertips sense you’re out of revs long before you really are.

The 350Z, then, feels like a mishmash; like a Japanese car designed by an Indian from Leicester in America and then altered for Europe. Which shouldn’t be a surprise because that’s exactly what it is. And worse, when you’re at a party and someone asks what you’re driving you have to say: “A Datsun with a Renault engine.”

Current price £28,295

Price when tested (May 2005) £27,000

Engine 3498cc, six cylinders

Power 280bhp @ 6200rpm

Torque 267 lb ft @ 4800rpm

Transmission Six-speed manual

Fuel/CO2 24.1mpg (combined) / 280g/km

0-62mph 5.9sec

Top speed 155mph