SPY PICS: More Nissan Z NISMO prototypes spied testing

More 2023 Nissan Z NISMO prototypes have been spotted testing in the US this week, with fresh images and even a short video posted to the Nissan Z Club forum revealing a redesigned front-end.

Spied in Arizona, the engineering development cars show the front fascia is dominated by a new split grille inspired by the 2022 Nissan Fairlady Z Customised Proto concept, albeit dialled down with a narrower upper section.

At the rear there’s the same new aero flicks to the rear bumper as seen on cars spotted in California in December.

Ditto for the lightweight forged alloy wheels, behind which is a radiant set of red brake callipers and enlarged rotors.

Look closely and you’ll see the rear wheel-arches have been widened slightly – not unlike the concept – to match the enhanced rear aero and potentially house wider tyres.

Both prototypes shown here are riding on Dunlop-branded high-performance rubber whereas the standard Z-car ships with Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres measuring 255/40 up front and 275/35 R19 at the rear.

Overseas reports suggest the Z NISMO will develop close to 500hp (373kW), which would mark a 75kW boost over the standard model that’s selling like hotcakes Down Under.

Count on a bespoke high-performance exhaust system fitted too, although you’d never guess it going by the drive-by video accompanying the spy images.

Odds are the system is valved and that the NISMO driver didn’t want to draw attention to the car, but the lack of noise has generated plenty of chatter among Z Club forum members.

A more aggressive chassis tune is also on the cards, along with a sportier cabin theme.

There’s no official word from Nissan on the launch of the new Z NISMO, but expect it to surface later this year.

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