With more than 160,000 cars sold since it was launched in 2003, the chunky coupé has been a huge hit, writes Andy Enright.

The launch of some key rivals this year means that Nissan has seen fit to revise the Z and it would have been easy to ruin a winning formula. Fortunately, the changes amount to neat tweaks rather than wholesale alterations. The 350Z now has even more inbuilt desirability.

Serious investment has been splashed on redesigning the intake duct, developing new pistons and revised cams, tweaking the intake manifold for better breathing and completely redesigning the timing chain, oil pump and developing an electronic exhaust valve timing control unit. Fully compliant with stringent Euro IV emissions regulations, this engine actually develops a tad less torque than before (down from 363 to 353Nm) but the good news is that the torque delivery is also less peaky than before with far more on offer between 4,800 and 6,000rpm.

In real world motoring situations, this means that the 350Z will feel more muscular at those times when you’re caught slightly on the hop and rely on the engine to lug you out of trouble.

Styling changes have been kept deliberately low key so as not to damage the excellent residual values of existing 350Zs and, frankly, because not a lot really merited revision.

The 350Z has always been a very handsome car and one that looks naturally ‘right’ from virtually any angle. Nissan has steered clear of gratuitous meddling and has just altered a few of the details.

The front bumper assembly is different with a revised lower grille with deeper ‘scallops’ ahead of the front wheels. Unless you’re a serious anorak, you’d need the new and old cars parked together to spot the difference.

Bi-xenon projector headlamps and LED sidelights have been fitted while probably the biggest change to the cosmetics are the rear lights, which now feature no fewer than 42 LED lamps on each side. How many other cars can boast 84 brake lights?

The interior always had scope for improvement, especially in terms of materials quality and the latest car doesn’t disappoint, with soft-feel materials for the centre console and plusher door trims being used.

Other practical changes include more storage cubbies about the cockpit, including a map net in the passenger footwell and a more practical centre console compartment which incorporates a cup holder. Fully trimmed door pockets are bigger than before and now feature useable illuminated bottle holders. A smarter DVD-based satellite navigation system is also available as an option.

But enough of the toy total – what’s the 350Z like to drive? In a word, fun. Despite its too-cool-for-school modern exterior, the Z is, at heart, an old-school fun car. For those who appreciate a bit of mischief behind the wheel, the traction control system can be disabled at the touch of a button. The attention to detail extends to such matters as the exhaust note, tuned for a pleasantly fruity sound, and the rigidity enhancing strut brace that dominates the somewhat shallow boot.

Genuine criticisms are few.

The interior looks an alluring place, with drilled metal pedals and a decent sporting driving position but the materials quality isn’t anything to give Audi sleepless nights. One nice touch is the way the instruments move up and down with the adjustable steering column.

The 350Z has been an enormous success for Nissan, selling as many units in three years as its predecessor, the much loved 300ZX, did in 11. Expect the big numbers to keep clocking up. This is one of the modern greats.