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

Round first: Light weight The main trump card Fairlady Z

In January 2003, a new generation of Nissan Skyline appeared on sale and, in particular, its two -door version - Skyline Coupe. However, a little earlier on sale was a related model of Nissan Fairlady Z.
Both cars are made on the same platform. Although the wheelbase of Skyline was increased by 200 mm compared to Fairlady Z. Nevertheless, no special differences are observed in the design plan: in both cases, we are talking about FM layout cars. Equipping both cars, including the suspension of the rear and front wheels, also of the same type. These models differ only in the width of the wheel track and the magnitude of the departure of the wheels (the distance between the plane of the symmetry of the rim and the counting plane of the wheel). However, despite the differences in the width of the wheel, and Fairlady Z, and Skyline Coupe are considered machines that are on wide -arranged wheels.
I also note that the Fairlady Z cardan shaft is made of lighter material - carbon epoxy composition. But Skyline Coupe has a cardan shaft consists of two gondola cars made of steel and resting on the middle bearing. The difference in the design of the shaft and the material from which it was made, of course, affected the total weight of the machines. In particular, the weight of Skyline Coupe was 1530 kg, and Fairlady Z was only 1430 kg, that is, 100 kg less. It is clear that this brings Fairlady Z rather tangible benefit.

Compared to Skyline Sedan, a driver's seat in the Skyline Coupe cabin is located below. But his position still turns out to be 40 mm higher than the height of the seat in the Fairlady Z salon. It is natural that the driver sitting behind the wheel of Skyline Coupe sees the road with a slightly different angle. This improves the review and contributes to the fact that the speed here is perceived by the driver a little slower.
Second round: any driver can cope with Skyline

What do you usually first pay attention to after the car is touched under your control? Of course, how comfortable you feel in it as a driver. If you compare Skyline Sedan and Skyline Coupe again, then, of course, the compartment is characterized by a stiffer suspension. But this rigidity does not lead to the appearance of a characteristic deaf tapping when driving along the road with a conventional coating, so there should not be any special complaints.
Now let's see how Fairlady Z behaves on the move. It immediately pays attention to how sharply the car reacts to every uneven road. By the way, both compared models are on tires of the same size: the front wheels are shod in tires 225/45 R18, the rear 245/45 R18. But only size is the same. As for the explicit qualities of tires, in each case they are selected individually. When choosing tires for Fairlady Z, the main attention was paid to their ability to follow all the irregularities of the road, neither for a moment, not breaking away from its surface, and for Skyline Coupe it was necessary to find tires that would provide the machine with maximum comfort. The fact that each of the compared models is characterized by its own, special geometry of the suspension of controlled wheels played a non -last role.

If we evaluate the controllability of one and other model, then, in terms of the intensity of the reaction of the controlled wheels to change the position of the steering wheel, Fairlady Z, in other words, the steering mechanism of both compared machines is configured and acts differently. In fact, the controlled wheels overcome the distance between the two extreme rotation points for approximately 2.6 rotation of the steering wheel. This indicator is the same for both machines. But at the same time, the rotation of the steering wheel Fairlady Z is with great resistance. I do not want to say that this resistance is so strong that the steering wheel rotates with difficulty. No, I mean only a certain weight of the steering wheel compared to the steering control of Skyline Coupe.
On the other hand, Skyline Coupe has a rather large weight, so it is very easily and at ease in a given course, including cases when the driver decides to perform a steep turn at high speed. And therefore, even weak female hands, squeezing the steering wheel Skyline Coupe, will fully cope with the task and will not let the car lose controllability.
As already noted, the Fairlady Z wheels reacts sharply to the bends and bumps of the road, which is due to the rigidity of the suspension and the corresponding quality of the tires. This is especially noticeable on steep turns. And if in the middle of the turn to release the accelerator pedal, then, of course, the load on the front wheels will increase and the lead will arise, that is, the phenomenon when the front of the car strives to leave towards the center of turn. The force that counteracts such a departure will abruptly throw the car back to the true trajectory of the curvilinear movement.

Once in the described situation, Skyline Coupe behaves more balanced, so the driver does not have to be nervous. That is, behind his steering wheel, the driver can feel more calm for the stability of the car. Or, for example, we take such an indicator as the angle of rotation of the body around the longitudinal axis of the machine (speaking briefly - the roll): Fairlady Z feels hard opposition to the roll, while Skyline Coupe allows itself to be more relaxed in this regard. It should be noted that the rotation of the machine around the longitudinal and vertical axis is very skilledly balanced, therefore, even when the speed reaches 180 km per hour, the slalom on the road does not cause a feeling that the machine is on the verge of controllability and is about to get out of control.
The brake power in both models is approximately the same. Both there and there are used brake mechanisms of Brembo. The brake pedal has a hard move, and the inhibition intensity depending on the pedal is perceived the same. Nevertheless, Fairlady Z is higher, since its fellow Skyline has more weight.
Both cars are equipped with the same engine - VQ35 de. Thanks to him, a powerful torque appears already at low speed, so quite intense acceleration is provided by both machines. In particular, a distance of 400 m Fairlady Z passes in a maximum of 15.5 seconds, and if on average then in more than 14 seconds. Skyline Coupe demonstrates no less abuse, although due to its greater weight it still lags behind the sister for about half a second.
So which car to choose? Which of these two models is better? My recommendations are as follows: if you like the tense rhythm of driving, if you like the sports type of controllability, opt for the muscular Fairlady Z. If you go to the winding section of the road, a smooth change in the direction and comfortable ride, and to that From time to time, you have to drive in the car four from time to time - it is better to take the more balanced Skyline Coupe.