Nissan 400Z design secrets told

Nissan has released a deeper insight into what it took to revive its iconic two-door sports car – the 2021 Nissan 400Z – and how it could have come out looking altogether different.

Previewed by the Nissan Z Proto – no mere concept but a close-to-production prototype in both design and engineering – the twin-turbocharged V6 rear-drive sports car is due to hit Australian roads towards the end of 2021.

And as we wait, Nissan has provided further insights into how the reborn Z-car took shape.

An eight-minute YouTube video features Nissan’s senior vice-president of global design, Alfonso Albaisa, as well as Satoru Tai, the brand’s executive design director, revealing how they each took inspiration from the very first Z-car.

But not at first.

“I was trying to create a new Z first,” admitted Tai, “but I saw many sketches [from the London and San Diego design studios] and then gradually, I was persuaded.

“Maybe we should go back to the original one.”

It’s been more than 50 years since the Nissan Fairlady/Datsun 240Z was released. Now, much of the original car’s iconic design cues have been modernised to fit with the new Z.

From the square grille to the slightly rounded LED headlights, the 2021 Nissan 400Z offers plenty of nods to where it all began for the Japanese manufacturer’s sports car.

What’s more, the elongated bonnet of the new Z-car will be home to a powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that redlines at 7000rpm and is said to produce around 300kW of power.

The option of a six-speed manual and an automatic with launch control and rev-matching functions is also anticipated.

Bring on 2021 and the new Zed.

Related: Nissan Z Proto previews new 400Z
Related: Nissan 400Z debuts as Z Proto