Performance Review: Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo - [1990]

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 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.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 1580 kgs (3483 lbs) this makes the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Nissan 300ZX shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2960cc 24V V6 engine produces 280 bhp (208 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 273 lb-ft (370.1 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 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 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (202.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Nissan 300ZX.

The Nissan 300ZX has a Power to weight ratio of 177.2 bhp per ton and 172.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 300ZX competing with the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (202.1 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Tommi Makinen (202.1 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 172.7 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 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12 (197.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (197.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Abarth 695 Biposto 1.4 Turbo (5.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 300ZX and the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90

When talking about the performance of the Nissan 300ZX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.54 secs @ 94.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (14.47 secs), the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (14.47 secs), and the 2006 Mini Cooper S Works GP (14.48 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo has a maximum speed of 156mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 300ZX equals the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo then how about the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph), the 2001 TVR Chimaera 500 5.0L V8 (167 mph), or the 1993 TVR Griffith 500 (167 mph).

Related Links:

1990 300ZX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Nissan

Car Comparison