2024 Nissan Z NISMO revealed

After myriad covert sightings and a less-than-subtle official teaser, the hotly anticipated 2024 Nissan Z NISMO has finally been revealed and will pack 313kW/521Nm when it arrives here in the first half of 2024.

Local pricing and finer specification details will be announced closer to the track-ready Z’s Australian launch, but for the time being Nissan has provided us with all the key global details including the above outputs, which mark 15kW/46Nm improvements compared to the standard Z.

The extra firepower for the Nissan Z’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is liberated by electronic wastegate control (more boost), an independent ignition timing strategy and a more efficient cooling system including an uprated oil-cooler.

Drive is shipped exclusively to the rear wheels with the help of a limited-slip differential but, unlike the standard Z, the NISMO version will only be available with a nine-speed automatic transmission and not with a six-speed manual.

When asked why this is the case with what should be the most driver-focused Z-car to date, Nissan said the automatic provides sharper performance and better blends the on-track sports car experience with everyday driving, leaving those after a three-pedal option to settle for the regular version.

“The nine-speed automatic transmission in Z NISMO has been enhanced to provide faster, more responsive shifting and features a new Sport+ driving mode for track use,” a spokesperson told carsales.

“The transmission helps enable impressive acceleration while also delivering grand tourer-like smoothness in everyday driving, with paddle shifters for manual shifting.”

Thanks to a TCU upgrade, Nissan says the NISMO’s transmission can downchange almost twice as fast as the regular Z’s automatic when in Sport+ mode, which is said to be so good that drivers need not touch the paddle shifters during track driving.

The newfound powertrain aggression is paired with a significantly overhauled chassis that sees the low-slung coupe fitted with bespoke sway bars, lower and stiffer springs, retuned dampers, stiffer bushings, extra bracing and stickier Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tyres pinched from the GT-R supercar.

Said rubber encompass a set of NISMO-specific Rays 19-inch alloy wheels, behind which hide high-performance 381mm front and 351mm rear brake rotors as well as a more aggressive brake pad compound, all of which is designed to improve brake feel and performance.

Advertising the NISMO’s more focused persona are its overhauled exterior and interior designs, the former of which does away with the standard Z’s square intake and bumper design in favour of the new ‘G-nose’ arrangement.

Supposedly inspired by the old Nissan 240ZG, the G-nose is supported by a new, very red front splitter and functional canards intended to improve the NISMO Z’s downforce, as are the redesigned (read: wider) rear apron and enlarged spoiler.

Linking the two ends and complementing the angry rolling stock are a NISMO-exclusive set of side skirts said to reduce drag and increase downforce.

The aggressive theme is continued within the two-seat cabin, where there’s red and black Alcantara-like trim for the Recaro seats, a leather and Alcantara-clad NISMO steering wheel, a bunch of red trim highlights and some reworked NISMO graphics for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system.

Standard equipment highlights on Nissan’s new performance flagship include an eight-speaker Bose sound system, satellite-navigation, smartphone mirroring, Amazon Alexa Built-in connectivity, heated side mirrors, sports pedals, keyless entry/start, radar cruise control and a reversing camera.

Nissan Australia has sold just about every new Z vehicle it has got its hands on for the local market, with 185 examples delivered so far this year (to June 30).

There’s no word yet on how good or scare the local supply of Z NISMOs will be, but odds are demand will drastically outstrip supply – just as it did for the new Z coupe on which it’s based.

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