Nissan 400Z takes shape

These new computer-generated images of the upcoming Nissan 400Z provide the most educated insight into what the first new Z-car will look like.

Based on images taken from an official teaser video released by Nissan last week, these independent renders show the new-generation Nissan Z in all its near-production glory...

The Nissan 400Z will retain its rear-drive layout and classic two-seat, long-bonnet coupe body style, and while there are some design influences from the current 370Z, the tastefully raked rear-end pays homage to the original Nissan 240Z from 1969 and the 280ZX from the late 1970s.

The Nissan 370Z's elaborate Z-shaped headlights have been scrapped as Nissan returns to stylised circular headlights, which are another tip of the hat to the original Nissan Z-car.

Finer details such as the front grille will almost certainly be different when the final car is shown – potentially later this year, if not in 2021 – but these renders from the NewNissanZ forum show how Nissan will add more retro Z elements into the new performance car's design.

Like the Honda e electric car, Nissan appears to have elegantly combined modern and classic styling cues to create what could be its most popular Z car ever -- especially considering it's likely to undercut the Toyota Supra by up to $15,000.

The history: Every Nissan Z car

Designated the Z35-series, the Nissan 400Z (name unconfirmed) will replace the current Z34-series Nissan 370Z and will return to its roots in a mechanical sense too. The existing 3.7-litre naturally aspirated V6 (245kW/363Nm) will be replaced by a more potent twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6.

Borrowed from Infiniti, the VR30DDTT engine is similar in size and configuration to the one that powered the Z32 Nissan 300ZX, which packed a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 (VG30DETT) worth 224kW/384Nm, but the new Z-car will get a Toyota Supra-beating 298kW/475Nm.

The rear-end design of the new Nissan 400Z is also tipped to borrow design elements from the 1989 Nissan 300ZX, particularly the tail-lights.

With automatic and manual gearboxes likely to make the grade, along with several weight-saving measures compared to the 370Z, the new 400Z is expected to hit 100km/h in less than five seconds and have a top speed close to 300km/h.

Nissan Australia's CEO, Stephen Lester, recently told carsales that he wants to bring the new Z car to Australia but stopped short of confirming when that will be.

Another post on the NewNissanZ forums claims that production of the new model won't begin until September 2021. An anonymous commenter wrote: "I work for a supplier and learned that the first cars to be produced are scheduled for September 2021. That's all I have to share."

This appears to line up with intel we obtained from a source with knowledge of the project, who said the the launch of the production car will happen later in 2021.

However, a concept car preview of the new vehicle is expected to generate plenty of hype (and pre-orders) for the Nissan 400Z well before then.

It's understood that Nissan's original plan was to reveal a 400Z concept later this year, possibly in the USA, but this may be pushed back to 2021 due to COVID-19 and challenging market conditions.

Expect to see a hard-core, track-ready Nissan 400Z NISMO variant of the new Z later in its lifecycle, to take direct aim at the upcoming Toyota Supra GRMN.