New this week: The Nissan Z

It was in 1969 that the Japanese manufacturer launched its first generation of coupe, the 240Z, whose spirit and certain aesthetic codes can be found on this new model. The latter could have been called 400Z, but it will ultimately be called Z. In short. In just over 50 years, Nissan has sold 1,8 million copies of its “accessible” coupe, always with the same recipe: long hood, rearward driving position and very short rear overhang. Before embarking on the design of this new generation, the Japanese manufacturer questioned the owners of previous versions, but also looked at the market to give a futuristic touch to a model that must nevertheless draw on its DNA to continue to seduce. Also, the new Z plays with its past. Its LED headlights, made up of two semi-circles, are reminiscent of the Fairlady 240ZG from the 1970s (which was only marketed in Japan), while the design of the first generations is even more striking at the rear, and particularly through the lights that are similar to the style of the 300ZX.

A cabin designed for sport

Who better than a Nissan driver can influence the ergonomics of the instrumentation of your Nissan (sports)? The Japanese manufacturer called on Tsugio Matsuda, reference in the Super GT championship, to define the best instrumentation. The main information is then concentrated on an 8-inch touch screen, which echoes the 12,3-inch instrument cluster and which offers three display modes.

The central console, more classic, contains information which is not of much use (boost, turbo, volt), but which contributes to the atmosphere. The manual and automatic gear levers are new, however, while the multifunction steering wheel promises quicker access to the controls. The seats benefit from a new design which is closer to the spirit of the GT-R, with improved lateral support.

Rising performance

Going from 337 hp to 400 hp (at 6400 rpm), the 6 liter twin-turbo V3.0 promises a lot, especially since Nissan announces that it has increased its torque value by 30%, or 475 Nm between 1600 and 5600 rpm The 0 to 100 km/h is announced with an improvement of 15%, which should allow the new Z to go below 5”0 for this exercise. This performance was made possible through the use of two small-diameter turbochargers, which balance power and response time, while the electronically variable intake valve system improves mechanical responsiveness. All these characteristics dictated developments in the chassis, the gearbox, the cooling circuit and the suspensions. The shock absorbers use a monotube design, with a larger diameter. They are claimed to improve filtration and handling, just as the new front suspension geometry, with an aluminum double wishbone, is touted as increasing straight-line stability.

Designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, the Z has never made any major compromises, favoring the man-machine relationship even if it means being a little radical. Anyone who's tried to drift a roundabout with an old 350Z sees what it's all about. To continue to engage the driver, Nissan still delivers the new Z with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but also offers BVA9 and a mechanical clutch limited-slip differential. Nissan says that so equipped, the newcomer will be seen as a “dancing partner” for on-road adventures. An entire program. The new Nissan Z will be marketed in Japan by the end of the year (under the name Fairlady Z), then in the United States in spring 2022. What about Europe, but there is always hope.