Think Nissan and what probably springs to mind are badges such as Micra, Almera and Primera which account for the lion's share of its car business. But an exciting newcomer is about to debut the Nissan stage that is worlds apart from these models.
Maybe after you have read on, you'll think about putting the name down for this prized sports machine, selling for under €65,000 here and going on sale in the autumn.
Around 100 cars will sell on the Irish market next year and, in neighbouring Britain where there's already a six-month waiting list, the figure is 1,300.
Enter then the 350Z to stimulate a scene where the Audi TT is already well established and where there will shortly be other newcomers such as Mazda's clever four-door four-seat RX-8 and the Chrysler Crossfire, both of which have just been reviewed in Motors.
The Z letter is, of course, significant, indicating that the 350Z is the spiritual successor to the legendary Z cars of the 1960s and 1970s - they were called Datsuns then.
Powering the excitement is a six-cylinder 3,498cc V6 that's normally aspirated and delivers 277bhp.
The top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. You are propelled from 0 to 62mph in 5.9 seconds and rear-wheel-drive emphasises the true-blue sports credentials.
We experienced some of that potency last week in Germany, on the autobahn network near Nuremberg - it was mercifully empty and unrestricted. The 350Z voraciously gobbled up the kilometres and, once in a while on country roads, the exhaust note burbled with enjoyment.
The 350Z may be Japanese born but Nissan, with its strengthened European identity through the alliance with Renault, has factored in a strong European feel. There are finely tuned suspension revisions which take account of European tastes for driving faster on more bendy roads and going longer distances.
The US is, of course, the biggest market for the 350Z but over there the customers are a different breed. A Nissan team questioned American and European owners of rival sports car about their habits. Nearly 60 per cent of Europeans use their cars for everyday commuting as well as for weekend fun: the equivalent figure on the American side is just 27 per cent. In Europe more than 70 per cent use their cars on holiday and 64 per cent do shopping chores. In the US, the equivalent figures are a mere 21 and 14 per cent respectively. That all adds up to a good chance of seeing the 350Z in any morning or evening suburban crawl, in supermarket car parks, and in the affluent costas of Ireland and Europe. In such viewing locations, it's an impressive sight, especially from the rear, while sound enhancement comes from the beefy and macho exhaust burble.
The absence of turbocharging may surprise some but it doesn't really diminish the 350Z's go-faster abilities: there's no turbo "interruption". The six-speed gearbox gives a positive shifting feel. If by some misfortune, you arrive too fast at a wet roundabout, there's plenty of reassuring grip and the electronics of the ESP system should keep you pointing in the right direction.
Most comparisons were made with the Audi TT at the international press launch last week. There wasn't much agreement on just which was the superior or best-performing machine. There was near-unanimity, however, that the TT has a more aesthetically interesting cabin with the plentiful use of metal. The 350Z relies more on high quality plastics.
All controls on the Nissan come logically to hand and the seats move electrically. It was a surprise to find that the steering wheel adjusts only for height.
We still don't know the actual Irish price, apart from the scant information that it will be under €65,000. Meanwhile, the price in Britain has been announced: it will start at about £24,000, with the option of a £2,500 GT pack which adds electric heated leather seating, cruise control and a Bose stereo system.
On every 350Z, there are 18 inch wheels, xenon lamps and climate control.
The numbers sold here and in all of Europe may turn out to be relatively small but 350Z comes at a propitious time for Nissan.
Japan's second biggest car manufacturer is now getting back into its stride with more than a little help from its French friends at Renault.
This is an image builder for the
marque that has been led by Renault-appointed Carlos Ghosn.
The Z cars of yesteryear were one of the few Japanese brands to achieve cult status. This new 350Z will surely do the same.
So, watch out for some excitement soon in a Nissan showroom near you.