Nissan's goal: To make the best Z yet

By CARSIFU | 17 August 2021


YOKOHAMA: The original Z, which debuted in 1969, was built to bring the joy and excitement of sports car ownership to as many people as possible.

It was a car built for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts, and that spirit and heritage continues with the launch of the latest reincarnation of Z.

One of the defining traits of Z has always been its bond between the car and the driver – a physical and visceral connection, no matter the road ahead. That human-machine bond dominates the new Z, especially in the presence of the standard 6-speed manual transmission.

As a physical touch point between driver and Z, the 6-speed’s shifter glides to the next gear, almost instinctively, with minimal effort.

Also available is an advanced, quick response 9-speed automatic transmission.

“Simply put, our goal is to make this the best Z yet, period. With each generation, we raise the bar, pushing the limits of Z and continuing to tap into the human instinct for that next thrilling journey,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist of the new Z.

2023 Nissan Z (U.S. market) Proto Spec edition_019-1200x811


“More than just powerful and agile, the all-new Z is designed to be one with the driver, for the car to be a ‘dance partner’ for their on-road adventures.”

The all-new Z’s 3.0-litre V-6 twin turbo engine adds a significant increase in power output over the previous generation 370Z.

It is designed to deliver a sharp, yet smooth response to the driver’s input. With an increase of 68 HP and 30 percent increase in torque, this latest Z is like nothing before it.

The engine is rated at 400hp, and 475Nm of torque at 5,600rpm.

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With the increase in power, the engineering team tuned the chassis, cooling, suspension and steering to ensure the Z continues to support the driver’s intentions.

Getting behind the wheel, the Z feels new and modern, yet still familiar.

In a first for a rear-wheel drive Nissan vehicle, the 6-speed manual transmission includes an advanced launch assist control system (Performance grade) that helps deliver smooth acceleration from a stopped position.

All automatic transmission-equipped models feature the launch control system. Manual-transmission-equipped models also feature a carbon-fiber composite drive shaft and Downshift Rev Matching.

The new, optional 9-speed automatic transmission offers direct and quick response thanks to its wide gear ratios. Drivers can experience a satisfying engagement that keeps the thrill of Z power and performance in sync with the driver.

When it comes to delivering predictable, responsive handling, the engineering team took a multi-prong approach, especially for high-speed driving and cornering.

2023 Nissan Z (U.S. market) Performance grade_012-source


Enhanced body rigidity, an electronic power steering with rack assist and a strong mechanical feel and wider front tires help increase cornering performance up to 13 percent.

Both front and rear dampers use a new monotube shock absorber design with a larger diameter than the outgoing 370Z, resulting in 20 percent reduction in dampening force to help minimise impact shock over uneven surfaces, enhance road-following performance and improved handling stability.

The front double-wishbone aluminum suspension features new geometry, including caster angle which has been increased, aiding in straight line stability.

Two drive modes are offered with the automatic transmission, standard and sport. Standard mode is best suited for commuting and long highway drives for a pleasant, stress-free drive.

Sport mode unlocks the Z’s performance potential, offering faster acceleration control, a sports-mode steering profile, active sound enhancement and sports-mode vehicle dynamic control setting best matched to take on a spirited run through a winding road.

Z Performance grade models use a mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential.

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