Datsun 280ZX

Datsun
Datsun 280 ZX (1982)
280ZX
Production period:	1978-1983
Class :	Sports car
Body versions :	Combi coupe
Engines:	Petrol engines : 2.8 liters (99–147 kW)
Length:	4420-4620 mm
Width:	1690 mm
Height:	1295-1305 mm
Wheelbase :	2320-2520 mm
Empty weight :	1281-1356 kg
Previous model	Datsun 280Z
successor	Datsun 300ZX

The Datsun 280ZX was a sports car that Nissan produced from the fall of 1978 to the end of 1983. It replaced the Datsun 280Z . Like all models 280 and 300, the model was available with glass roof halves ( Targa ).

At the beginning of 1984 the 280ZX was replaced by the Datsun 300ZX .

development

The 280 ZX (S130) was developed in four years and with a financial investment of 30 million DM . The result was a luxury touring car that looked very similar to its previous Z models and was a success. Peter Harris, head of the American development center, was responsible for the new line of the ZX. His motto was: not a real sports car, but performance with luxury, as well as a sporty look and handling. Research showed that the shape of the S130 was one of the strongest selling points. So the requirement was not to change anything in this concept. During development, special emphasis was placed on aerodynamics and the drag coefficient was reduced from 0.467 to 0.385 compared to its predecessor. The all-round view was also improved by 24% (2 + 2 16%) more window area. The interior became bigger and more luxurious. The fact that the spare wheel (spare wheel) was no longer in a trunk tub, but was placed behind the side paneling on the right rear, meant that the luggage compartment was enlarged by a third. The new space- and weight-saving Bluebird rear axle with fewer protruding strut domes also contributed to this .

280ZX / 280 ZXT

The 280ZX became the best-selling generation of Z-models (Z-Cars). When the model was completely changed in autumn 1978, the X was added to the Z model name. This made the sporty Z more of a LuXus coupe 280ZX. In this model, the two-part Targa roof (also known as the T-Top) was introduced and retained in all subsequent generations.

Rear view

The car had a 2.8-liter in- line six-cylinder and was launched on the American market with 135 HP (SAE net, corresponds to about 137 DIN HP). In the US version, it was 14 hp less than its direct predecessor, the 280Z, which is due to the use of exhaust gas recirculation in an otherwise identical engine. The California model had a regulated three-way catalytic converter and 132 hp. Europe got a version with 140 DIN PS at 5200 rpm and a maximum torque of 203 Nm. The rest of the world got 170 gross SAE horsepower. The engine remained almost unchanged compared to the 280Z. Only the L-Jetronic was refined, a lighter and more stable exhaust manifold with a shattering sound installed and the radiator fan made quieter.

In the almost five-year construction period of the 280ZX, there were no extensive modifications, technical changes were incorporated directly into the current series. In 1980 the special model Tenth Anniversary ZX appeared in the USA , a ZX in GL equipment with leather seats, stereo and automatic air conditioning. The special model was delivered in the colors burgundy and gold with a black hood and golden alloy wheels. The chrome parts were anodized in black. The price was US $ 13,850. The leather seats and the automatic air conditioning were also available as options for the other models. In February, engine power in Europe was increased to 147 hp.

Further improvements were due in the spring of 1982. The engine output rose to 150 hp at 5200 rpm and the torque to 221 Nm at 4200 rpm. The compression ratio was increased to 9.4: 1, causing the ZX to demand premium gasoline. The weight has also been slimmed down. For example, we switched from recirculating ball-and-pinion to rack and pinion power steering (-10 kg), new brakes were fitted to the rear axle and new aluminum rims (-4 kg each). Externally, the new models could be recognized by the air inlet in the bonnet and the multi-part bumpers painted in the vehicle color. In the interior there were two-tone upholstery and trim, velor seats, red warning lights in the doors and a quartz clock with a stop function.

This European 150-hp version was specified by Nissan with a top speed of 207 km / h and sold in Germany at a price of 28,500 DM (1981–1983 30,000 DM and the Targa 32,000 DM), making it the most expensive, but also the fastest Japanese car on the German market. A Porsche 924 cost 28,030 DM at the time. In 1979, 105,045 280ZX sports coupes were sold worldwide; a record result in Z history. Around 830,000 ZXT coupés were sold in the USA from 1970 to 1984.

280ZX Turbo / 280 ZXT Turbo

Datsun 280ZX Turbo

In March 1981 the 280ZX Turbo was introduced as the 280ZXT Turbo in the USA and in June 1983 also in Germany. The 280ZX Turbo was the top model in the S130 series. The main distinguishing features of the weaker model were the front and rear spoiler, a double pipe exhaust, black anodized window frames with wind deflectors on the A-pillar, turbo lettering on the doors and low-profile tires of size 215 / 60VR on 6JJ x 15 light alloy wheels. The interior remained largely untouched. Here only the voltmeter display was exchanged for a boost pressure display, and a computer control system was installed between the speedometer and rev counter, which inquired about the function of the engine cooling, windscreen washer, brake, tail and main lights.

The L28E engine experienced the most profound changes. The changes included, among other things, revised piston heads and piston rings, an engine block with better cooling and knock sensor (F54), a more temperature-resistant exhaust manifold, a double-pipe rear silencer with 50% more throughput, larger valves and an injection system with 1.4 times the performance. The TB03 turbocharger with wastegate was located on the left side of the engine and built up a maximum boost pressure of 0.53 bar. All of this, in conjunction with an ECCS (Electric Concentrated Control System), the first microprocessor-controlled engine electronics from Nissan, gave the 280 ZXT an extra power of 37 kW (50 hp); this resulted in a total output of 147 kW (200 DIN HP) at a speed of 5600 rpm; the maximum torque was 290 Nm at 4400 rpm.

The chassis and differential have also been adapted to the new performance. There are stabilizers used with a 23 mm cross-section and stiffer rubber damper. The differential gear received its own oil circuit with a cooler, which was driven by a pump that switched itself on at 130 °. The turbo presented in the USA in 1981 was only delivered with a three-speed automatic transmission . A year later, the T5 BorgWarner five-speed transmission came onto the market. In addition, the tires were changed from 205/60 R16 on one-piece BBS wheels to 215/60 R15 tires on two-piece light alloy wheels. The headlights were given a washing system, the doors were equipped with electric windows and Turbo lettering. All these changes were already included in the Turbo presented in Germany in 1983.

There were two versions of the 280ZXT Turbo (T stands for Targa ). Of the L28ET version with 147 kW (200 hp), only 34447 units were manufactured between March 1981 and June 1983. In the even rarer L28ET version with 147 kW (200 PS) as a 2 + 2-seater, only 7811 vehicles were built from August 1981 to June 1983. The 280ZXT Turbo was sold in Germany from June to December 1983. It found 585 customers and is therefore a rarity. With its 147 kW and 290 Nm, it reached a top speed of 230 km / h. With a new price of 59,000 DM (1983) it was the most expensive Japanese car on the German market - and the fastest. The versions without turbo cost around DM 30,000 and with a Targa roof around DM 33,000.

Awards

In 1979 the well-known US car magazine Motor Trend named the Datsun 280ZX “Car of the Year”. In 1983 the drivers Bob Leitzinger and Logan Blackburn won the GTU class with the Datsun 280ZX Turbo.

Web links

Commons : Datsun 280ZX  - Collection of images, videos, and audio files

• [1] (Photo of the Datsun 280 ZX Turbo by Bob Leitzinger; winner of the GTU class 1983)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Datsun 280ZX - the best-selling of its kind , autowallpaper.de, available on June 9, 2018
2. ↑ Datsun 280ZX - the best-selling of its kind , autowallpaper.de, available on June 9, 2018
3. ↑ Gentleman athletes with a smart six-cylinder at auto-motor-und-sport.de/ MotorKlassik from March 27, 2014, accessed on June 9, 2018
4. ↑ Datsun 280ZX - the best-selling of its kind , autowallpaper.de, available on June 9, 2018
5. ↑ M. Bartels: Datsun 280 ZXT . In: Werner Rixmann (Ed.): ATZ Automobiltechnische Zeitschrift . No. 4 . Franckh'sche Verlagshandlung, Stuttgart 1984, p. 174 .
6. ^ Joachim Kuch: Japanese automobiles . Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1990, ISBN 3-613-01365-7 , p. 205
7. ↑ Datsun 280ZX - the best-selling of its kind , autowallpaper.de, available on June 9, 2018