The NISMO Fairlady Z Z-tune (Z33) '03 is a works car based on the S-tune Fairlady Z (Z33) concept produced by Nismo. It first appeared in Gran Turismo 4 Prologue and has been featured in all subsequent mainline games up to Gran Turismo 6. Functionally, it is a circuit/competition spec of the S-tune Z33 with greatly enhanced performance, representing the ultimate Fairlady Z (Z33).
Colors[]
Only one color is available for this car:
- Diamond Silver Metallic (KY0)
In-game description[]
"A Z that only exists in Gran Turismo; crowned with the Z-Tune title."
Based on the Z33 350Z (Fairlady Z in Japan) and modified by the skilled crew at Nismo, Nissan's motorsports and tuning division, this Nismo Fairlady Z Tuned Concept by Gran Turismo was customized with a batch of concept parts to offer a sportier driving experience without sacrificing ride comfort out on the city streets. Output is increased to 300PS at the flywheel.
On the aerodynamics side, the Z achieved zero downforce in stock form, so new aero enhancements co-developed by both the Gran Turismo team and Nismo helped generate aerodynamic drag at both ends of the vehicle for increased high-speed stability. Wind tunnel tests were also performed that led to further improvements in lessening surface drag.
The suspension used the normal-geometry S-Tune kit that ensured ride comfort in normal driving, but the drive was sure to notice how the car exhibited less body roll when cornering, taking turns in a flatter manner. The Z-tune kit was enhanced even further.
Even the braking system was enhanced: While the components remained stock, the ABS was reconfigured to increase the braking force without leading to inadvertent engagement of the anti-lock system.
Acquisition[]
| Game | Purchase location | Credits | Other methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gran Turismo 4 Prologue | --- | --- | Complete the Lesson #16 in Driving School |
| Gran Turismo 4 | Nismo Tuner Village | 150,000 | --- |
| Gran Turismo PSP | Nissan Dealership | 150,000 | --- |
| Gran Turismo 5 | Used Car Dealership (Lv. 12+) | 148,925 | --- |
| Gran Turismo 6 | Nismo Dealership | 150,000 | --- |
In reality: NISMO S-tune concept engine Spec 2 works car[]
Tokyo Auto Salon 2003 debuted this vehicle (then called the R-TUNE Z33) in its prototype form at the NISMO booth. The Z-TUNE moniker as used in-game is reserved for the ultimate NISMO works model of any given platform, which ultimately became the NISMO S-tune S2 Fairlady Z (Z33).
NISMO continued development of the S-tune Z33 performance menu in a motorsports context, to be used solely for circuit racing. NISMO used Z33 as entrants in the 2003 season of Super GT (formerly JGTC), and desired to homologate a race-specific engine platform to meet regulations that enabled use of this race engine in the series.
The car as it appears in-game is of an exceptionally rare NISMO S-tune concept S2 Spec-2[1]. The NISMO VQ35DE-S2 was a thoroughbred race engine solely for circuit use, featuring incredibly low-decked, extreme 12.0:1 compression ratio ported heads with nearly zero combustion chamber volume and massive 32mm titanium intake valves with radiused valve ports mated to aggressive S2 cams. Specifications later posted by NISMO put the compression ratio at a stratospheric 13.1:1. The valvetrain was transplanted from a VK45, and dropped into a geometry derived from the earlier VQ30DE.
Through sheer compression ratio and high flow heads, Spec-2 output rose to a colossal 350whp/403bhp[2], matched by the in-game Z-TUNE model at 375bhp. Power figures above 375bhp are nearing the limitation of the VQ35DE as an engine platform, and the NISMO S2 can be considered the ultimate expression of what the Z33 itself could ever achieve.
The specific Z-TUNE car as seen in GT4 and in reality at Tokyo Auto Salon 2003 was a testing mule and appears in the game with all of the prototype parts that car was running. In addition to the entire S-tune and S1 parts packages, the Z-TUNE at TAS2003 ran prototype coilovers, brake kit, seats, carbon fiber body work, and a carbon fiber vented hood, nearly all of which went unreleased through the life of the Z33.
NISMO VQ35DE-S1[3] was the initial iteration of this race engine, featuring high-compression ported heads, larger crankshaft, different pistons, enhanced rod bolts, new bearings, an entirely new valvetrain with larger sodium-filled intake valves, high lift cams, and timing advance upgrades to the VTC. Output increased greatly from 278bhp to 345bhp for the S1. Limited to less than 100 units, the NISMO S-tune GT was created to house this engine for homologation purposes[4]. It is by far the most expensive and most limited production Z33 ever to be built, with MSRP cresting $100,000 USD (2025).
The NISMO S1 engine itself was available as a $15,000 USD (2025) upgrade, a full conversion solely done by NISMO Expert shops such as Omori Factory. These engines were serialized, tracked by registry, and their replacement parts -- or even part numbers -- are not available to anyone other than NISMO Expert shops and owners. Conversion of a Z33 to an S1 engine involved an entirely new radiator core to increase air flow and maximize volumetric efficiency in the intake system, among other large changes. On top of the engine, the S1 Z-PROTO brake kit was also available for conversion. Circuit-spec Brembo F50B calipers mated to massive 355x32mm racing rotors greatly increased the braking power and thermal capability of the S1 spec Z33 for extended use on track at full bore.
Pictures[]
_S-TUNE_concept_TAS2003.jpg "Fairlady Z (Z33) S-TUNE concept TAS2003.jpg (55 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Black squares on the hood are meant to represent the vented hood as seen on the real car.
- Continued development of real Z-tune Z33 would lead to the RS-CONCEPT, and later, the NISMO 380RS that appears as the AMUSE NISMO 380RS Super Leggera.
- As is the case with the S-tune Fairlady Z (Z33) concept, Gran Turismo 5 is the only game which allows the wheels for this car to be changed.