GT5 Transcripts/Nissan 350Z Concept LM

The Fairlady Z debuted in January 2001 at the Detroit Auto Show as the Nissan 350Z. Since then, this 350Z racing prototype has been the car envisioned by the Gran Turismo team. It is a competition-model Z designed for 24-hour endurance racing at races like Le Mans and Daytona.

In the days of the old-model Z32, the Fairlady 300 ZX Turbo saw a lot of action in the North American IMSA GT Championship, taking the season title in the GTS category in 1992 and 1994. The iconic image of Nissan's unmistakable tricolor red, white and blue Exxon-sponsored car remains to this day.

The sports prototype category has vehicle regulations equivalent to the GT1 category of Le Mans from around 1995. The chassis and engine are the same as in the stock car version. Even the vehicle's exterior design looks similar to production models. But the car is much bigger and wider, and the outer shell is made of carbon composite.

In concrete terms, the car is 175.1 inches long and 78.5 inches wide. The molding changes are along the lines of the silhouette-formula racers of yesteryear, designed with careful consideration to downforce and limiting wind resistance.

The engine is a VQ35, 3.5L twin-turbo DOHC V6 with a maximum output of around 592 BHP. The suspension is racing-spec double-wishbone both front and rear, and the brakes are greatly upgraded ventilated discs. The car is equipped with a large front spoiler and rear wing for superior aerodynamic performance. And with the original tricolor paint job, this is one Z car you will definitely want to race at Daytona.