Nissan 400Z to get butch new look

The biggest question mark surrounding the highly anticipated new-generation Nissan Z-car set to debut in late 2021 relates to its exterior design.

Given the reboot of the iconic Japanese sports car is almost certain to share its platform architecture and twin-turbo V6 with the discontinued Infiniti Q60 Coupe, the design of the 2022 Nissan 400Z – if that’s what it’s called – is the last major puzzle piece to fall into place.

And if the all-new Z35-series coupe looks like this rendering from Adán López via the Behance design portal, it will probably outsell the Toyota Supra.

The Nissan 400Z is already generating a huge buzz and now that it's tipped to be up to $15,000 cheaper than the Supra (and won't face supply issues as it won’t be built in Austria alongside the BMW Z4), the future is looking brighter at Nissan.

The Japanese car-maker will announce its recovery plan tomorrow evening (May 28) and may reveal a one or two tidbits about the upcoming hero cars it will roll out over the next few years.

Traditionally, Nissan would be expected to reveal a pre-production concept version of the new model at the 2021 Tokyo motor show in October, but the COVID-19 coronavirus has all but killed off the conventional motor show.

Instead, the all-new sports car may be revealed in the US, which will be one of the key markets not only for the new 400Z but for Nissan's recovery strategy in general.

Nissan’s current Z34-series 370Z has been around since 2009 and carsales understands it will remain on active duty until 2022, when the Z35 400Z rocks along.

Power for the new Nissan 400Z will be provided by a version of the VR30DDTT 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 as the ill-fated Infiniti Q60, which pumped out 298kW of power at 6400rpm and 475Nm of torque over 1600-5200rpm.

But those figures could swell considerably for the flagship NISMO version, which will go head to head with the Toyota Supra GRMN.

Continuing the tradition of all Z-cars dating back to the 1969 Datsun 240Z, the Z35 will be rear-wheel drive and should again be available with manual and automatic transmissions, plus a far more modern interior. These renders show one possible design direction.

As we’ve reported, Nissan Australia can’t wait for the new Z.

"Anytime you’ve got a vehicle or a nameplate like Z, with that history and that loyal following … in that sports car arena, you’re crazy not to want it or be excited by it," Nissan Australia chief Stephen Lester told carsales.

"So we’re really enthusiastic about all the things that are getting teased out there, if you will, and we’d be behind another iteration for the Australian market, 100 per cent."