Nissan 400Z exposed

Fresh video and photos of what is almost certainly the production version of the new-generation ‘Z35’-series Nissan 400Z has been exposed on social media channels.

A TikTok video, Instragram posts and various photos taken in what appears to be a customs holding warehouse in Los Angeles provides our first look at the highly-anticipated 2021 Nissan 400Z that will butt heads with the Toyota Supra rival.

The twin-turbo V6-powered Nissan Z sports car is expected to launch in Australia early in 2022 after its official unveiling this year.

However, Nissan Australia’s only comment around the leaked version today was “no comment”.

Given the timing of this leak, it’s possible the Nissan 400Z could be running ahead of schedule.

Related reading: Nissan 400Z vs Toyota Supra

The footage and photos confirm that the production vehicle is almost identical to the well-received 2020 Nissan Z Proto concept, with the stylised front-end design and retro 300ZX-inspired rear-end locked in.

The sleek coupe does feature a few minor changes, including different door handles and safety additions required for road use, such as red reflectors above and behind the rear wheel-arches.

It appears that two-tone exterior colour schemes will be offered as well, with two silver 400Z models leaked featuring a contrasting black roof and a body-coloured silver roof respectively.

Nissan has also added a lip spoiler to the rear deck and the 370Z’s big-bore dual exhaust outlets return for active duty – albeit with more detailing.

The TikTok video and subsequent photos also provide a view inside the new Z, which adds more credence to the car in question being the official production vehicle given the ignition is on and the digital dashboard boots up.

Other elements include a large, integrated central touch-screen, a stubby automatic gear shifter, USB (A and C) ports and a traditional manually-operated park brake.

Unlike the auto-only Toyota Supra, the rear-drive Nissan 400Z will be offered with both manual and automatic transmissions and is expected to be more affordable than the circa-$87,000 Toyota sports car.

The sports seats appear to be finished in a suede-like microfibre fabric.

Power for the new vehicle will come from Nissan’s muscular 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine (VR30DDTT), which should be good for at least 300kW and 475Nm, making it more powerful – but less torquey – than the Toyota Supra (280kW/500Nm).

Performance figures for the 400Z are still to be revealed, but if it wants to outrun the BMW-powered Supra it’ll have to better a 4.3-second 0-100km/h sprint.

The Nissan 400Z may be slightly lighter than the 1495kg Supra, with recent intel suggesting a 1475kg mass.

Nissan’s high-performance arm, NISMO, is also expected to fettle the new 400Z during its lifecycle, providing an uptick in power and improved handling dynamics.

Stay tuned for more details soon.