Nissan 400Z could get 330kW V6

It’s no secret that Nissan’s new Z sports car will be powered by the brand’s lusty 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine (VR30DDTT).

But new intel suggests the 2021 Nissan 400Z could shame its arch-rival, the Toyota Supra, with a 330kW wallop when it makes its global premiere later this year.

The data comes from driving simulation game Project Cars 3, which takes its facts and figures very seriously, and states the turbo V6 in the Nissan Z Proto as pumping out 445hp, or 332kW.

However, it’s unlikely the production car will generate this much power from the get-go (although a NISMO 400Z will certainly provide a performance hike), with Nissan’s reborn Z-car widely expected to deliver around 400hp – hence the 400Z name.

Nissan 445Z doesn’t quite have the same ring.

Although the Nissan 400Z name has not been locked in, it’s almost certain to wear this name, following on from the 300ZX, 350Z and 370Z models that preceded it.

This will see its Infiniti-derived 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo bash out around 300kW and 475Nm.

By comparison, the Toyota Supra currently generates 280kW/500Nm from its BMW-supplied 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine, which would give the Nissan 400Z bragging rights in terms of power output.

While the 332kW power figure listed on Project Cars 3 as part of a downloaded content car pack are likely a ruse to throw would-be auto-sleuths off the scent, the game also lists the Nissan Z Proto’s weight at 3251lb, or 1475kg – which is 20kg lighter than the current Toyota GR Supra.

Related: Nissan 400Z vs Toyota Supra

Either way, the Nissan Z car will need plenty of pace to best the Supra’s rapid-fire 4.3-second 0-100km/h sprinting ability.

Unlike the auto-only Supra, however, the 400Z will be offered with both manual and automatic transmission.

Although pricing is still not known, the new Nissan 400Z coupe is set to undercut the $87,126 Supra with a circa-$70,000 price tag when it lobs in Australia from around early 2022.