Nissan 400Z officially teased for the first time

Just days after we saw a butch new design proposal for the new Nissan Z, here is our first official look at the all-new '400Z' and it's clear from this video teaser the reborn Z car will be drop-dead gorgeous.

Previewed during a corporate press conference to announce Nissan's 2019 financial results and 2023 business plan, the Nissan 370Z replacement will pinch its rakish side profile from the original 240Z while featuring other design elements of the Z-car back catalogue.

Featuring what look like daintier proportions than the outgoing Z, the flagship performance coupe is thought to pack a pair of tail-lights inspired by the 1989 Z32 300ZX – a car that also donates is minimalist surfacing on the side body panels.

Up front, again, Nissan designers have taken the less is more approach by dropping the fussy 'Z' shaped headlights from 370Z.

Set to share its platform architecture with the discontinued Infiniti Q60 Coupe, the Nissan 400Z is expected to be powered by the car-maker's VR30DDTT 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.

Expect power to be around 298kW (400hp) – hence the '400Z' name -- while torque should peak at around 475Nm.

With a significant weight-saving over the porky 370Z, the new 400Z should hit 100km/h in around five seconds and top out at around 300km/h.

Set to be strictly rear-wheel drive, the Nissan 400Z will come with a traditional six-speed manual with rev-match technology from launch. Later on, an eight-speed automatic will also be offered.

Gunning for the Toyota GR Supra, the 400Z will have an electronically-controlled mechanical limited-slip differential that should ensure the small Nissan coupe is as entertaining to drive as ever.

Later on, an even more powerful track-focused NISMO version is also expected. That car will come with a small bump in power, stiffer suspension, bigger brakes and lightweight parts that could include carbon-fibre for the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate.

Despite appealing to purists, the new Z will also include new driver assistance systems for the first time, including Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPilot cruise control system.

The 2021 Nissan 400Z was expected to be unveiled in the next couple of months, but the COVID-19 crisis might push back its launch to later in 2020 or early next year.