'05 350 Z

For now, at least, it is fiction. Dealers have received their order sheets, and it isn't on them. The only significant change for 05 is the addition of yellow as a color option, and deletion of liquid aluminum. Mechanically, its the same car as a 04.5, ie the running changes made to the 04 model, seats (added second height adjuster, added lumbar support), added knee pad on the center tunnel, retuned suspension rates, etc have become standard on the 05. Oh, NAV is now going to be available only on the Touring package. You won't be able to get it on the Track model.

Now there is *some* talk that an anniversary edition will be released mid-year. That might have a small power boost (similar to the 10 hp bump given the 05 G35 sport coupe), though nothing as substantial as a blower or turbo. More likely it will only be cosmetic changes.

If you want forced induction, you'll still have to go to the aftermarket to get it. Nissan is leery of pricing the car out of its market niche, and adding forced induction would bump the price at least $8k (probably more since they'd want to beef up the engine internals to handle it). The 350Z is a very popular car at its current price point, and Nissan doesn't want to screw that up. Besides, the new GTR will be here in 07, and Nissan wants that to be its flagship go fast car.

Gary