Performance Review: Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Nissan 300ZX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Nissan 300ZX has a 2960cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 300ZX shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 300ZX's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1410 kgs (3108 lbs) this makes the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan 300ZX shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2960cc 12V V6 engine produces 226 bhp (168 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 240 lb-ft (325.3 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Nissan 300ZX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (185.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan 300ZX.

The Nissan 300ZX has a Power to weight ratio of 160.2 bhp per ton and 170.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 300ZX competing with the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (185.2 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Lexus RC 350 3.5 V6 (185.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Nissan 300ZX generating around 170.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 Convertible (195.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (195.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Alfa-Romeo Mito 170 Quadrifoglio Verde (7.10 secs). This Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 300ZX and the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione

When talking about the performance of the Nissan 300ZX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.06 secs @ 90.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Maserati Quattroporte 2.8 V6 Biturbo Evoluzione (14.99 secs), the 2006 Nissan 350Z Roadster 300bhp (15.00 secs), and the 1998 Nissan 300ZX Version S Twin Turbo (15.00 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 147mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 300ZX equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (158 mph), or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (158 mph).

Related Links:

1984 300ZX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison