SPY PICS: Nissan Z NISMO spotted testing

What’s believed to be a camouflaged 2023 Nissan Z NISMO prototype has been spotted testing in the US, flaunting chassis tweaks – including more aggressive wheel and tyre combination and uprated brakes – along with subtle cosmetic enhancements.

The images have surfaced on social media and follow a series of indirect teasers and even a mystery track sighting back in April.

Of particular note are the orange brake callipers, similar examples of which were first seen on the Nissan GT-R NISMO last decade and can be traced back to Brembo.

The prototype’s black nine-spoke lightweight alloy wheels also look suspiciously like GT-R NISMO rims.

Going by previous NISMO Z vehicles, the lighter wheels and uprated braking system will be matched with a more focused chassis which in turn complements a gutsier engine tune and louder exhaust – all things previewed for the new model at the 2022 SEMA show.

The current Z is good for 298kW/475Nm in both manual and automatic forms, but a NISMO version is likely to push up towards 310kW/500Nm.

Social media chatter has suggested the prototype was being tested alongside a Toyota GR Supra as well as a BMW M2 Competition.

The rear three-quarter image was reportedly captured by Aldo Rosas, who posted the shot to the New Nissan Z Facebook group along with the intel regarding the two other cars, however neither are pictured.

Other images have been scraped from social media and published by Japanese creative blog Creative Trends, which show the unique rear bumper and redesigned lip spoiler are matched at the front by a revised front-end including a more aggressive grille.

Odds are the sharpened exterior will be matched in the cabin by a sportier interior with higher-grade materials, contrasting colourway and an uptick in standard equipment.

Real-world prototype testing now suggests the Z NISMO will make its global debut next year.

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