Annie Sam posted on April 18, 2009 04:18
In 1979, a new generation Z was finally introduced, codenamed the S130 continuing the momentum of the widely popular first generation Z car series. The model was called the 280ZX. It was so popular that in its first year, this model sold 20,000 units more than its previous two Z car models had in their debut year. While the exterior underwent a major facelift, it continued to use the same 5 speed manual transmission, and ran the same L28 2.8 liter SOHC straight six as the original 280Z. The car was bigger, more luxurious and heavier at 2824 lbs than the 280Z, mostly due to increasingly stringent US emission and safety standards. Purists lamented the Z cars turn away from its pure sports car roots to more of a heavier, softer "grand touring" sports luxury sedan. In fact the 280ZX was slower than the original 240Z despite an increase of power because of its weight gain.
 |
| Generation: |
Second (S130) 280ZX |
| Production: |
1979 - 1983 |
| Transmission: |
3 Speed Jatco Automatic
4 Speed Manual/Automatic
5 Speed Manual/Automatic
5 Speed Borg Warner Manual |
| Engines: |
2.0L L20EI6
2.0L L20ETI6
2.8L L28EI6
2.8L L28ETI6 |
| Brakes: |
Front - Discs / Rear - Disc |
| Suspension: |
Independent McPherson Strut Front, Semi Trailing Arm Rear |
| Horsepower: |
180 @ 5600 (L28ETI6) |
| 0 - 60 mph: |
7.5 seconds |
|
The McPherson strut front suspension was retained but the Chapman strut rear suspension was replaced by a semi trailing arm design similar to the one found on the 510 sedan. Rear disc brakes replaced the drums found on the older model. This classier, more luxurious Z earned the title of "Import Car of the Year" from Motor Trend magazine.
Through the life of the 280ZX, several features were added to this model, including t-tops in 1980, and a turbocharged engine in 1981. The turbocharged model produced 180 horsepower and came with either a 3 speed automatic transmission (coupe only) or the standard 5 speed manual. In 1983, thanks to technology advancements, new luxury items were added, such as a fully digital dashboard, leather trim, climate control, and glass defoggers. Also in 1981, the very popular 280ZX helped Datsun transition back into its new (or more accurately, its original) name, Nissan.
After two more years of successful sales of the 280ZX and a carefully planned transition from its former name, Nissan decided to break from the old styling of the Datsun Z, and reinvent itself as what was the prelude to one of the most bad ass sports cars of all time: The fourth generation VG30DETT 300ZX.