Nissan makes an icon even better with an all-new ‘Z’ car
The new Nissan Z awaits the unveiling at the ZCON convention in Colorado Springs behind closed doors. (Craig Conover, Daily Herald)
On Aug. 18, just 5 miles from the location where in 1969 the original 1970 Datsun 240 Z was introduced, Nissan unveiled the new seventh generation of the iconic “Z” sports car, which will now be known only by the letter Z.
Over the last 50 years, the Nissan Z has become an American icon, with many of us having memories that are complete with some kind of a Z experience. The sports car was and still will be at market, priced affordably, as the 2023 Z is projected to start around $40,000.
“The Z has always been an accessible sports car — always placed at the intersection of aspiration and attainability — of dreams and reality,” said Ashwani Gupta, representative executive officer and chief operating officer for Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. “This latest iteration is now ready to thrill Z enthusiasts, and create a whole new generation of Z fans as well, when it comes to market here in the U.S. early next year.”
Staying true to its roots, the new Z will be a front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports coupe, with a new design that’s reminiscent of the 1980s version of the iconic design, with a long front hood and a lower rear stance.
And the best part of the new Z is that it will have an over abundance of power and torque to get it moving. Coming with a VR30DDTT 3.0-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine, which is rated to produce a whopping 400 horsepower and 350 foot-pounds of torque, it should prove to more than adequately get the small, nimble-looking sports coupe up and moving.
The power train can be connected through a six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic. All versions of the automatic receive a standard launch control system, allowing the Z to launch from a stopped position. All performance packages also get the launch control, even with a manual, and receive paddle shifters on the automatics that are the same design as on the GT-R high-performance Nissan.
We had the opportunity to experience the same motor a couple of weeks ago in the Infiniti Q60 coupe and it proved to be a strong motivator in that regard. It can only get better in the yet even smaller Z.
Inside the blue pre-production Z that we were able to get a pre-look at in Colorado Springs during the annual ZCON convention, it was clad in a very nice blue leather and suede product that trimmed it out nicely. It was pointed out to us by Steve Parrett of Nissan Communications that there will be three interior colors available at launch: black, red and blue.
A 12.3-inch digital instrument display will be standard across the model line, with the option for an 8- or 9-inch infotainment screen depending on the trim level selected — sport or performance.
After spending a couple of days at the ZCON convention getting up close and personal with all the different model years of the iconic Nissan sports coupe along with many of the enthusiasts who have made the brand what it is today, we were very impressed with the reception by all, especially of the new generation Z sports car!
The new Nissan Z is revealed to many adoring fans at the ZCON Convention in Colorado Springs.
What else would we have expected, as hundreds of folks lined up at noon on a Friday at the Pikes Peak International Raceway to get their very first view of the all-new Nissan Z? It was an event that brought goosebumps to even us as we were witnessing history being made as the new Z came to life!
Defining the new Z was best put by Gupta as he said, “The Z is more than a sports car you drive; it is an extension of the driver that moves and responds to the driver’s intentions. Whether on an unexplored winding road or your daily commute, the Z brings a smile and awakens the senses.”