MotorWeek | Retro Review: # 39; 82 Datsun 280ZX Turbo
The Datsun 280ZX may look like a copy of the previous models, but there was a lot more under the hood.
The original Datsun Z-car sold so that a successor was never in doubt Datsun 280ZX Baptized, he didn†t last as long - five years instead of seven - but sold relatively well from 1979 to 1980, Nissan moved more 140,000 in the US alone the ZX was also much more popular in Europe than the 260Z, it replaced and Japan, it only shows that the public recognizes an attractive package than the automotive press, who wasn†t almost enthusiastic about the second generation design.
As 260 280Z, Datsun 280ZX offered a designated type two HSL 130 seats in US trim and 2 2 Type HGLS130 Japan introduction occurred in the summer of 1978 US sales began the following November for model year 1979.
Because the continuity of style was considered important for sales, the Datsun 280ZX was much like its predecessor - so much so that some wondered if t just wasn†old car with a new skin, it wasn†t style, this time working internally, was sturdier and more busy, while the structure of the body frame of the unit while steel was not only completely different but more spacious and convenient in train, the only carryover components were the engine and powertrain, but the power plant 2 of 8 liters now spread to all markets the American version came with SAE net 135 horsepower versus 140 hp for European models; the first was raised to 145 bhp at 1981.
The Datsun 280ZX marked the first use of test-blower Nissan†during the design development It didn†t SEARCH slippery than previous Zs instead to some eyes, but was he also weighed on the same despite meeting all the latest American standards “crash”, although it was still a bit overweight, on balance Nissan tacitly admitted as much by fitting a larger fuel tank and a secondary fuel gauge measured just the fourth final dimensionally wheelbase from 0 to 6 inches the two places and shriveled with 3 to 4 inches of 2 2 and there was similar changes in total length, while the width has increased, but only slightly.
production economics dictated more sharing of components to the original Z, so that the suspension Datsun 280ZX was borrowed from 810 upscale sedans Nissan†MacPherson struts, lower lateral arms, and springs pudding returned to the front with compliance rather than voltage Cylinders the big change was in the back, where the semi-arm rear BMW simpler style to replace Chapman struts and lower a-arms, and all the congregation was recently mounted on a separate chassis.
all-round coil springs continued In response to criticism-road tests, the rear brakes are gone from disc drum, and there were now two types of rack and pinion steering Manual and pinion or assisted recirculating ball authorized by ZF As previously, it was agreed that it should have been the standard for the handling, but guests of the United States without paying extra only if they bought a Feb. 2.
Nissan has struggled hard to maintain performance because Z face of ever tightening emissions requirements, and succeeded mostly the Road Track magazine, for example, recorded a top speed of 121 mph for two first places years and 9 two seconds in the 0-60 mph run Alas, the Datsun 280ZX was much gentler on the road than even the last of enough Zs, if still original sport to be widely favor RT Said “Today†Z-car n is not yesterday†Z-car, and although purists mourn the passing of the Z sports car, fans will rejoice at the GT Z ”.
Indeed, the Datsun 280ZX was downright luxurious for a sports car, available from the start with power windows, stereo four-speaker system with balance control “joystick”, remote electric mirrors adjustable, plush velvet upholstery, even cruise control consumption Guide magazine†s self publishers accurately called “the Ford LTD ” sports cars.
The Datsun 280ZX has also become something of a Japanese first Corvette Vette had a style T-bar roof option for 1980 two-seat, extended-2 2 1981 In one year, he was representing about 50 percent of all sales ZX US even closer to the sports car America†for the performance was the Datsun 280ZX Turbo, introduced two seats in automatic form mid †model year 81 and also offered as 2 2 for 1982-1983, and the manual transmission.
With 180 hp in US TRIM - 25 percent gain - it could outdrag a Porsche 924 Turbo, jumping from rest to 60 mph in about 7 four seconds against 9 2 and leaping up to 129 mph 127 for Porsche if not the ultimate rocketship, the Datsun 280ZX was blown certainly fast enough for America 55 mph.
But this time, the enthusiastic press had come around to the view of  Consumer Guide †“Fundamentally, ” said RT comparison test 1981 “the Datsun less soul †if that matters, the thoroughbred Alfa GTV-6 and Porsche and also what appeared to be about 800 lbs more weight makes 150 Meeting world†best sports car of the boulevard, which can hold just about its end with true ” runners.
The Datsun 280 ZX coaxed good performance of its engine inline six-cylinder despite the high weight.
Damning low praises Yes, but it is undeniable that the Datsun 280ZX was almost unbeatable in GT and despite the rise in prices over the years, it offered the same high, relatively speaking, as the 240Z of avant-garde.
Ultimately, however, the Datsun 280ZX was too conservative and old with a disarming speed In 1984, fans were hoping not just for another new Z but with “soul ” What they were an evolution conservative, Nissan 300ZX - so they†re still wishin†and †hopin.
To learn more about Datsun and other sports cars, see.
Print a GTM-track data of the href Byline Auto Consumer Guide editors sport Cars Datsun May 21, 2007 grt br lt April 12, 2017 Date of quotation mark.
Datsun 280ZX Datsun sports cars HowStuffWorks, Datsun 280ZX, sports.