New Nissan Z revealed with 298kW

The 2023 Nissan Z has made its world debut via livestream from New York and the good news is it looks just like the concept that previewed it and it will pack a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 producing 298kW/475Nm.

Simply dubbed the ‘Z’, the first V6 turbo Z-car in more than 20 years will out-power its most direct rival, the 285kW Toyota Supra, which nevertheless produces more torque (500Nm) from its BMW-sourced twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six.

For the record, the seventh-generation Nissan Z’s Infiniti-sourced VR30DDTT biturbo DOHC V6 produces 400hp of power at 6400rpm and 350lb-ft of torque over 1600-5600rpom in US spec.

Our version is expected to match those outputs when it arrives in Australia in early 2022, and the rear-wheel drive coupe will continue to be available with manual and automatic transmissions.

The standard gearbox will be a six-speed close-ratio manual with EXEDY high-performance clutch, SynchroRev Match auto throttle-blipping and a carbon-fibre driveshaft.

In the US, the self-shifter will be Nissan’s nine-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, launch control, Downshift Rev Matching and, for base Sport variants, aluminium paddle shifters.

Final drive ratios are listed at 3.538 for the manual and 3.133 for the auto. No weight figure is given but the bonnet, boot lid and doors are aluminium and Nissan says 0-100km/h acceleration will be 15 per cent better than before, so well under 4.5 seconds and close to the Toyota Supra's 4.1sec.

North America’s up-spec Performance grade will add GT-R design paddle shifters (auto-only) and a higher-flow muffler, while a special Proto Spec edition will be limited to 240 units and bring yellow brake callipers, bronze 19-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres, an exclusive manual gear shifter and yellow-accented seat and door trim.

Australians are expected to be offered a single model grade – perhaps based on the Performance grade – available in either manual or auto guise, potentially both priced under $70,000 which would significantly undercut the Supra’s $87,000 starting price.

Staying true to the sleek long-bonnet design of its six predecessors starting with the Datsun 240Z of 1969, the 2023 Nissan Z wears heritage-style LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, LED tail-lights and LED turn signals integrated into the wing mirrors.

Side sill spoilers are standard but in the US only the Performance version comes with a rear spoiler and front chin spoiler.

Six two-tone premium exterior paint colours will be available – each featuring a Super Black roof – including Brilliant Silver, Boulder Gray, Seiran Blue, Ikazuchi Yellow, Passion Red TriCoat and Everest White Pearl TriCoat. Three monotone colour options will include Black Diamond Metallic, Gun Metallic and Rosewood Metallic.

Riding on an upgraded version of the outgoing 370Z’s long-running rear-drive platform, the new Z continues with double-wishbone front suspension with a two-point strut tower brace, multi-link suspension and monotube shock absorbers.

Again in the US, all models will come with beefy front and rear hollow stabiliser bars, speed-sensitive electric power steering and 18-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 R18 front and 245/45 R18 rear Yokohama ADVAN Sport tyres.

But Performance variants will be offered in the US with ‘sport-tuned’ suspension, a mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential and Nissan Sport Brakes with 14.0-inch front/13.8-inch rear rotors and four-piston front/two-piston rear callipers in red paint.

Inside the two-seat cabin there’s a 240Z-inspired centre stack, 12.3-inch customisable TFT instrument cluster, triple-pod display for turbo boost, turbo speed and voltmeter, black woven cloth seat trim with synthetic suede inserts and eight-way manual-adjust for the driver’s seat (four for the passenger).

Performance models have four-way power adjustment for both seats, heated seats and the option of leather-appointed seat trim with synthetic suede inserts, aluminium-trimmed pedals, a 9.0-inch touch-screen with navigation, eight-speaker Bose sound, Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement.

Base models in the US will come with an 8.0-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, six-speaker audio, automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, Bluetooth audio streaming, Bluetooth hands-free phone and text messaging function, rear-view monitor, two 12-volt power outlets, two USB ports (Type A and C), full-speed intelligent cruise control, Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button ignition, front/rear parking sensors and the option of NissanConnect with Wi-Fi hotspot.

Standard safety features extend to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, intelligent forward collision warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, electronic stability and traction control, tyre pressure monitoring, and seat-mounted side and roof-mounted curtain airbags.