Test drive Nissan Skyline compartment 2002 - 2007 sedan

Comparison Nissan Skyline Coupe and Nissan Fairlady Z, 2003 (Part II)

Nissan Skyline Coupe: If you go far, I want comfort and excitement from driving
There is an opinion that it is very difficult for Japanese automobile companies to maintain a certain image of a car from year to year, which would ultimately call it a brand in the classical sense of the word. The model, which, for example, in one generation, was distinguished by his reasonable growth, could easily change dimensions in another generation and become an exemplary tall machine. But the time is coming to the next change of generations - and this same model again becomes low. Such a tendency to the constant change of external (and not only) features, such inconsistency gives some critics a reason to believe that the brand of the car, or rather, the set of its distinctive features transmitted from generation to generation, is not so easy to withstand in Japan. After all, everywhere now there is such a tense race for changeable fashion (otherwise you can fly with sales) that manufacturers are no longer up to maintaining the brand. That is why among Japanese cars it is still difficult to find a model that would not be evaluated not just as a car with a set of specific positive qualities and shortcomings, but taking into account the brand to customers.
Perhaps the car family of Skyline is one of the few cases when the Japanese still managed to withstand such a brand. The implementation of the next new generation Skyline can take shape in different ways. But car dealers always know: no matter how momentary advantages or disadvantages the new machine may possess, it will always arouse interest, if only because it is a representative of the Skyline line.
The case with the new Skyline Coupe is no exception in this regard. Look: as soon as he appeared, as he immediately attracted the attention of all motorists. And only because he is a member of the glorious Skyline dynasty.
Of course, becoming an object of increased attention is only half the case. Then the question arises of the extent to which this new offspring of the dynasty justifies the trust entrusted to him. For example, the same automobile dealers say that buyers in Japan did not wait for the appearance of a new generation of Skyline, although they knew in advance that it would appear soon, but began to actively dispel the model very similar to it - Fairlady Z. But I believe that I believe that I believe that So only those drivers acted who need a car with a pronounced sports character. If the buyer prefers to have a car at his disposal, on which you can conveniently overcome long distances, and driving would allow the driver, as they say, slightly disperse the blood, for him the appearance of a new Skyline Coupe is a very remarkable event.
And in fact, how can you miss a model that has numerous advantages? Firstly, Skyline Coupe has a rather stiff suspension, which, nevertheless, provides the machine with sufficient smoothness. Secondly, its body has sufficient rigidity against twisting, and this rigidity does not allow the car excessively wagging the tracks on the bends, but, on the contrary, allows you to easily and naturally fit into the turn. Thirdly - an engine that already at low speed develops a powerful torque, smoothly distributed throughout the working range of revolutions, up to the highest. In a word, how not to pay attention to the car that is simply created to get the maximum pleasure from a long ride? Of course, if you take into account only the speed of steep turns, then this model is not the best in this indicator. But if you evaluate the car as a whole, taking into account all its capabilities? Then, in the aggregate of her advantages, she should rightfully claim the highest place in the automobile rating.
For the past few years, something has constantly happened in the Skyline car family. But each time fans of this model were waiting and hoping that next time Skyline would be released under the brand of Skyline. Yes, indeed, that's the matter! It turns out that the expression to keep the brand does not mean just making good cars. The main thing is to make all admirers of a particular lineup (Skyline or any other) believe that something worthy will always appear under this brand. Here, for example, the new Skyline Coupe is designed as a continuation of the previous undertakings, and fans - it does not matter whether they are satisfied with the next innovations or not - again the desire to wait for the next car to see and compare. And so to infinity. This is a permanent expectation of the new and there is evidence that the Skyline brand really exists and the further, the more it increases its authority.
 
 
Nissan Fairlady Z: A truly sports and attractive Grand Touring Car category car
Throughout my test drive Fairlady Z, I wondered and wondered how you can classify this machine. What is it: really a sports car, or is it a tourist trip machine?
The course of my thoughts was as follows: the machine was equipped with a 6-cylinder engine with a V-shaped cylinder location. Its working volume is 3500 CC, a powerful torque arises already in the low -speed range, which gives the car the opportunity to make a powerful jerk from a place to the quarry. As soon as the tachometer arrow overcomes a mark of 4,500 revolutions per minute, at the car, and so rushing at high speed, as if a second wind opens. Thus, the engine combines the speed qualities due to evenly increasing torque, and good behavior in the range of usually used revolutions (we call it with practical speeds).
Now we consider the manageability of Fairlady Z. Undoubtedly, if the driver, driving a machine, will make a sharp movement of the steering wheel on the move, the car will change the direction of movement in accordance with the driver's intention, but not sharply, but smoothly. At the same time, the rear wheels will remain indifferent to what is happening, and the machine will continue to move without losing stability. This ability of a car to correct the control of control makes it possible an active, truly sports driving manner even with excess of the permissible speed limit.
At the same time, the driver does not have a temptation to completely immerse himself and the car controlled by him in the world of high speeds. No, as for the engine, he is just ready to work without stress and interruptions. But at the same time he does not provoke the driver to to give gas (let's still, otherwise!). Yes, and the controllability of Fairlady Z is such that at a bend she does not really try to stay in a circle. In other words, although the car behaves stable, it always reminds of its belonging to the heavy weight category
So what kind of car to attribute to this car? What is it: a sports car or is it a tourist? Honestly, I found for myself the answer to this question not immediately, but only after the completion of the test drive, when I decided to contact the advertising booklet again and get acquainted with its content more carefully. On the first page of the brochure issued to me was a collage that displays the history of the development of the Fairlady car family. A photograph of the Version S modification was placed in the upper part of the turn with a note that states: this machine with a 6-cylinder engine caused a real boom in the North American sports vehicles. Here, please, everything fell into place!
In short, Fairlady Z by its external signs (and they are the best in accordance with the concept of sports design) looks like a machine that can provoke a driver to high -speed exploits. It’s good if you have to go in a straight line all the time, it will not be difficult to drive a car along the ruler. But at the same time, one thing is constantly worried: it is worth making the slightest movement with a steering wheel - and the car will abruptly throw aside. This kind of controllability, it would seem, should only delight. But this is only somewhere on a mountainous road, reprising by turns. And then, if the driver is not yet tired. Otherwise, the sharp departments of the car to the side, even due to a slight deviation of the steering wheel, may be dangerous. And if all this is multiplied by the duration of the trip? You must have imagined how tiring it is to hold the steering wheel without relaxing, for several hours in a row. Here anyone can get tired. And there it’s not far from the mistake!
Thus, in Fairlady Z, we see a certain alloy of a sports car and its varieties for tourist trips (Grand Touring Car). In this form, the model has existed for more than 30 years. And they buy it - and therefore, someone likes it. Otherwise, what is the reason for the longevity of this symbiosis?
 

And on whose side are you?
Who can recommend Skyline Coupe?
Undoubtedly, a typical driver who should like Skyline Coupe, loves to behave energetically, driving a car in an active manner. Of course, for such a case and for such drivers there are more suitable cars, for example, Honda S2000 or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, but if long trips are planned, during which the driver does not intend to change his credo, then it will be better to purchase a class L. always support himself in A slightly excited state and from this to enjoy such a Skyline Coupe driver and will have to love it.
Who can recommend Fairlady Z?
I noted earlier that Fairlady Z is a cross between a purely sports car and a car for long comfortable trips. Now a compartment of this class is offered in the Japanese market not so much: except for Fairlady Z and Skyline Coupe, perhaps, perhaps, only Toyota Soarer - and that’s it! However, for those drivers who sleep and sees themselves behind the wheel of a powerful sports compartment, the acquisition of Fairlady Z will still be a hasty solution. It is better to wait until something else appears on the market so that there is something to choose from!
Sports journalist Tsutsumi Tomokhiko: I choose Skyline Coupe
Two cars described in my material are competitors in the good sense of the word. Both cars are very stylish. Graceful flaps further emphasize their sporting character.
On the one hand, both the engine and the transmission are the same. But Fairlady Z is perceived by me as too frisky, which contributes to its lower weight. Yes, of course, with such a weight, such an engine power and such gear rates of the transmission, it is easy to become easy.
On the other hand, look how convenient the driver feels, sitting behind the wheel of Skyline Coupe! And if you evaluate the controllability of this car? And the fact that you can go around half the Japan while driving this coupe and not get tired - can this be discounted? Inside the Fairlady Z salon, a rather Spartan situation, and transplanting in Skyline, immediately fall into the world of comfort. Moreover, this comfort does not have to enjoy alone. You can take three more fellow travelers with you, and the four of them rush forward! This is for me.
Mr. Komeda Sigami: I choose Fairlady Z
What, from my point of view, is the attractiveness of Skyline Coupe? It combines perfect external forms and speed qualities by which it is not inferior to Fairlady Z.
The fact that Nissan has released such a model as Skyline Coupe is really pleasing to me. But I will still choose Fairlady Z. And you know why? Because yet I don’t feel that I have to do it, that I have grown to Skyline. The symbolism of Zo Rro, inherent in Fairlady, is close to me. But if I were older then, of course, the choice would have changed.
Specifications
Nissan Skyline Coupe 350 GT
Nissan Fairlady Z Version S
 
Length / width / body height
4640 /1815 /1395 mm
4310 /1815 /1315 mm
 
Length / width / salon height
2025 /1455 /1135 mm
1005 /1475 /1100 mm
 
Wheelbase
2850 mm
2650 mm
 
Ride width (front / back)
1535 /1540 mm
1535 /1545 mm
 
Car weight
1530 kg
1440 kg
 
Engine
6-cylinder with V-shaped cylinders, Dohc
6-cylinder with V-shaped cylinders, Dohc
 
The working volume of cylinders
3498ss
3498ss
 
Maximum power
280 hp at 6200 vol./min
280 hp at 6200 vol./min
 
Maximum torque
37.0 kg/m at 4800 rpm/min
37.0 kg/m at 4800 rpm/min
 
Fuel consumption in mode 1015
9.3 (8.6) km/l*, or about 10.8 (11.6) l per 100 km
9.7 km/l, or about 10.3 liters per 100 km
 
Brakes (rear and front)
Disk ventilated
Disk ventilated
 
The size of the front tires
225/50R17
225/45R18
 
The size of the rear tires
235/50R17
245/45R18
 
* In brackets, the fuel consumption of modification with a 5-speed automatic transmission is given.
Author: Tsutsumi Tomochiko (Tsutsumi TomoHiko)
March 2003

Source: Autogallerynet