text: The (US market only) 280ZX Turbo was offered with a Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed manual transmission. This was one of the first Nissan and Japanese car in general which used a non-Japanese transmission; the T-5 was also used in the GM F-bodies and Ford Mustang in addition to numerous other American domestic vehicles. The T-5 was only available in 1982 and 1983 after which Nissan USA phased in the use of local automotive components - the 1981 Turbo had only been available with an automatic. Hitherto mainly sold in the US, in the second half of 1983 the 280ZXT Turbo also became available in Germany. It was the fastest, most expensive, and most powerful (with ) Japanese car offered to that point in Germany.
  Spring rates and sway bars were revised, which largely addressed the handling nervousness of the early 280ZX Turbo, and reviews confirmed that the 1982 280ZX Turbo was the most sporting Z-car since the original 240Z of 1970.
  Racing
  The 280ZX proved successful in various classes of racing, particularly in the US. Significant results include:
  1979 SCCA C Production Category (Bob Sharp Racing 280ZX)
  1979 and 1980 IMSA GTU Championship (Electramotive Datsun 280ZX)
  1982 and 1983 IMSA GTO Championship (Electramotive Datsun 280ZX Turbo)
  The 1983 Electramotive 280ZX Turbo produced over , and reached a terminal speed of  in the standing quarter mile.
  The most notable driver to be associated with the car was actor Paul Newman, who raced with the Bob Sharp Racing team. He also helped to promote the car and starred in a series of commercials.