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The 2006 version of the GT500 Z33 attempted to defend the championship it won the previous year, in its final year to be use a V6 engine, as Nissan switched to a V8 for 2007 in preparation for the R35 GT-R in 2008.
Engine: VQ30DETT 2988cc V6
Power: 516 PS/508 hp
Weight: 1100 kg/2425 lbs
Expected Class: Gr.2
The Xanavi Nismo Z was dominant in the 2005 Super GT Series mainly because of Nissan's mighty 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6.
For the 2006 season, this power plant became even more potent thanks to a revised bore, stroke and compression ratio that boosted power output and improved fuel economy. But what caught the eye of most observers was the car's new exterior appearance, which was radically altered to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Nissan modified the front and rear fenders of the Fairlady Z for increased downforce at high speed, while the rear fenders were defined by a complex presentation of air outlets and fins, looking somewhat like Europe's DTM (German Touring Car Championship) race cars. The result was a more ground-hugging machine whose aerodynamic efficiency was improved by nearly four percent. This meant that the revived Z was capable of higher cornering speed; however, the extra power uncovered weaknesses in the Z's overall structure. The chassis wasn't rigid enough to handle the increased loads. To compensate for this, the rear subframe and the front end - including the roll cage - were reinforced.
Unfortunately, the team couldn't defend its 2005 championship, finishing 6th in driver points in 2006.
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