Ryuji Ikeda's Nissan Fairlady Z

Ryuji Ikeda's Nissan Fairlady Z Version S (Z33), also known as the 350Z, is the signature car of Team Spiral leader, Ryuji Ikeda.

History
Ryuji Ikeda uses this car as the leader of Team Spiral, who act as the third wall of defence in Kanagawa. Prior to Spiral's meeting with Project D, Ikeda had an encounter with Kanagawa's Grim Reaper: Rin Hojo. Hojo bumped Ikeda several times before he drops out of the race, not wishing to damage his car too much before his battle with Project D.

Ikeda represents his team as their uphill racer during their battles with Project D, going up against their uphill ace: Keisuke Takahashi. The road was wet due to it raining before the battle, and sections of the road were covered in a thick fog. Ikeda starts in lead, with Keisuke following behind. Ikeda makes use of his Zero Theory, where he clears his mind of his emotions as to improve his driving. Keisuke manages to keep up with him until the two drivers enter a section of deep fog. Keisuke manages to pass Ikeda on a foggy straightaway with help from Kenta Nakamura, who calls him to let him know that there are no oncoming cars. Keisuke wins the race.

Later on, Ikeda joined the battle between Ryosuke Takahashi and Rin Hojo, acting as a spectator for their deathmatch on the Hakone Turnpike. Nearing the end of the road, Hojo attempts to crash his car, with Ryosuke trying to use his car to slow him down and prevent him from crashing. When Ryosuke realises that he wont be able to stop Hojo, Ikeda pulls alongside Ryosuke and helps him slow Hojo down.

Specs
This car is a Nissan Fairlady Z Version S, chassis code Z33. It is painted Burning Red.

Engine
The Fairlady Z is equipped with a VQ35DE, a naturally aspirated engine (though the car has a bolt-on turbo in Arcade Stage 8). The cars actual output is unknown, but a stock model of this engine had a produced around 287HP.

Custom Parts

 * Ings N-Spec full body kit
 * Ings Bonnet I
 * Ings LX front fenders
 * Ings Z-Power Wing
 * Ings LX Sport LM VII wheels (changed to Ings TS06 Forged Racing Wheels in the anime)
 * Momo R1905 35L Mod 07 350 mm (without the noon marker)
 * Auto Produce Boss twin separate mufflers
 * Mine's wing mirrors (Mine's carbon mirrors in the anime, and OEM wing mirrors in the Arcade Stage games )
 * Front window sun strip (manga and arcade)
 * Euro-Tail Tail Lights (anime)
 * Bolt-on Turbo (Initial D Arcade Stage 8 Infinity)

Trivia

 * This is the 'newest' car in the series (entered production in August 2002), and one of the three 'futuristic cars' (the others being Kozo Hoshino's BNR34 GT-R and Kobayakawa's Evo VII), considering the series is set in the 1990s.