Nissan Z

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2020 Nissan Z Proto International Version

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Nissan Z Reviews

Overview

Nissan Z ā€“ Overview

Shockingly, Nissan pushed on with a sports car while they are not in the greatest financial and product line-up shape. While the 14-year-old Nissan GT-R seems to be the halo model (sales are in just thousands these days), Nissan still believes in the automobile being for drivers and the essence of driving being enjoyed.

The 2023 Nissan Z continues to be a strict two-seat coupe with a long bonnet and a short tail. At launch, the engine will continue a long lineage of Nissan Z and Fairlady models using six cylinders configuration. 

However, this new twin-turbo V6 engine is packed with technology and power. In the USA, Nissan Z competes with the Toyota GR Supra, Audi TT, BMW Z4 and 2 Series Coupe and of course, the local delights from the Big Three- Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and the Chevrolet Camaro. 

Exterior

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Exterior

The 2023 Nissan Z was first shown as the Nissan Z Proto concept car in 2020. Concept to production went ahead with minimal changes as Nissan tends to practice (such as the Ariya EV and Qashqai). The 2023 Nissan Z is a perfect mixture of past Z cars (or as Chief Designer at Nissan, Alfonso Albaisa called it, memories) and the future of Nissan. Some people might say it is merely an evolution of the 370Z but clearly, there is more to that.

Up front, the split circular LED headlamps are a modern interpretation of the 1970ā€™s Nissan Fairlady Z or Datsun 240ZG with the headlamp covers and flowing fenders. Look closely and you will notice the stamping on the bonnet which also appeared on the first generation Z car.

Viewed from the side, the Nissan Z shows its signatory and distinctive design element with the front fender height slightly above the rear edge. The roofline is also given a Katana like element for visual drama. The rear meanwhile takes a cue from the Z32 Nissan 300ZX, where rectangular lighting was in fashion. For the modern 2023 Nissan Z, the LED signature forms the rectangle (or oblong bar) behind a darkened panel.

Thanks to the huge response to the styling elements of the Nissan Z Proto, Nissan is offering a limited-edition called the Nissan Z Proto Spec that includes bright yellow brake calipers with Z logo, bronze-coloured 19-inch forged rims from Rays and exclusive black interior with yellow accents and stitching. The square grille will be finished in black, and Performance grade will add a front spoiler as well as a boot lid spoiler. 


 Dimensions
 Length  4,379 mm
 Width  1,844 mm
 Height  1,316 mm
 Wheelbase  2,550 mm



 

Interior

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Interior

Dashboard

While it felt dated, the interior of the Nissan 370Z gave a snug feel, cocooning the driver and passenger like a proper sports car. The Nissan Z also continues with this theme, with a lower console that raises high and an environment that features more digitalization.

The instrument cluster in the 2023 Nissan Z is now fully digital, while the infotainment display is a simple touchscreen unit located just below the air vents, rather than on top. This is to make way for three important gauges that are again one of the design signatures of the Nissan Z range.

The pods display the turbo boost, the turbocharger turbine speed and voltmeter, all angled towards the driver for maximum visibility at a glance.

Instrument cluster

The instrument cluster in the 2023 Nissan Z features a fully digital high-resolution screen measuring 12.3 inches. The default setting places the large 8,000 rpm tachometer at the centre, with other readouts such as coolant, engine oil and rear differential oil temperature plus oil pressure in large half-circular dials.

Nissanā€™s successful racing driver was also consulted to design the shift-up indicator as well as the 7,000 rpm redline at the 12-oā€™clock position for accurate information with just a glance.

Space and practicality

Unlike the older Nissan 370Z with a centre storage lid above the audio controls, the 2023 Nissan Z features fewer storage spaces, as the touchscreen takes up more space now. To keep things and other essential driving gear, there is the lockable glovebox, storage under the front armrest, a cupholder next to the handbrake lever and door pockets.

There are also useful bins behind the seats, easily fitting a backpack. There is no partition between the cabin and the rear luggage area, which is intruded by a lateral brace bar for the chassis. The boot lid opens up together with the rear windshield to approximately 235 litres of space, but all the suspension and exhaust hardware located under the floor makes the boot have quite a shallow depth.  

Features

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Features

Safety features

Airbag count maintains at 6, with the new 2023 Nissan Z now aided with the basic Nissan Intelligent Mobility ADAS package which includes Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Departure Warning. A rearview camera is fitted as standard to aid parking as rearward visibility is limited due to the steep and thick pillars.

Comfort features

The 2023 Nissan Z feature standard items such as dial-switch air-conditioning with automatic function, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors, intelligent key with push-button ignition, a hand brake lever and front and rear parking sensors.
Two seat designs are offered, with the higher Performance variant getting sportier bucket seats with power-adjustable seats covered in a suede-leather combination.

The limited-edition 2023 Nissan Z Proto Spec meanwhile adds yellow accents on black leather seats, yellow stitching on the dashboard and suede-cloth combination door trim and Proto Spec interior badging.

Infotainment

The infotainment in the 2023 Nissan Z features a 9-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, plus NissanConnect WiFi hotspot and online services. Sound is meanwhile pumped out to a Bose premium audio system with 8 speakers with both Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement (fake engine sound). Two knobs and physical switches for key shortcuts make the user interface very friendly. 

Powertrain

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Powertrain

Engine

At launch, only one engine is available in the 2023 Nissan Z. Nissanā€™s latest VR30DDTT twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine offers 405 PS at 6,400 rpm and 475 Nm of torque at a very wide band from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm. Maximum engine speed is capped at 6,800 rpm.

Transmission

The 2023 Nissan Z is offered in both a carried-over 6-speed manual transmission as well as Nissanā€™s latest 9-speed automatic transmission. The manual transmission has been upgraded with a better design as well as an Exedy high-performance clutch. 

Auto-blipping, a novelty when the Nissan 370Z was launched continues to be offered together with a limited-slip rear differential. Launch control is also provided with the manual transmission. The 9-speed automatic meanwhile has paddle shifters for selection of the gears, downshift rev-matching plus an oil warmer and air-cooled cooler.

Chassis

The chassis continues to be a heavily updated structure from the Z34 Nissan 370Z. It is a good base to start with, featuring a double-wishbone arrangement for the front axle and multi-link for the rear axle with plenty of aluminium members. 

The V6 engine is placed as far behind the front axle as much as possible, providing more weight within the wheelbase and for a healthy 53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution. Aluminium panels are also used for the bonnet, doors and rear boot lid.

Larger sports brakes with 355 mm brake discs, 4-piston caliper in red and sport-tuned suspension are fitted in the Performance variant of the 2023 Nissan Z. The limited edition 2023 Nissan Z Proto Spec has its brake calipers painted in yellow and stamped with the Z logo.

As for the wheels, 18-inch are standard items with 245/45R18 tyres at all four corners. The 2023 Nissan Z Performance variant meanwhile receive staggered sizing, with 255/40R19 in front and 275/35R19 high-performance tyres at the rear.

Drivetrain

The 2023 Nissan Z has its power sent exclusively to the rear wheels, with a limited-slip differential providing optimum traction out of corners.  

Driving Performance

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Driving Performance

Engine performance

The new VR30DDTT engine in the 2023 Nissan Z is not entirely a new engine, as the engine first appeared in Nissanā€™s luxury products- Infiniti Q50 and Infiniti Q60. The engine is smooth and certainly delivers the power and broad spread of torque as seen in the specification sheet. 

While not timed yet, expect the 0 to 100 km/h time to be under five seconds. The 2023 Nissan Z also feels incredibly responsive thanks to the quick response turbochargers and compact plumbing of the pressurized air. 

Unlike other automakers that pump in the fake engine noise that is clearly fake and borderline unpleasant, Nissan seems to have the upper hand in pumping engine acoustics into the cabin. The soundtrack of the V6 engine sounds pleasant and natural, reminiscent of the older Skyline 350GT or Infiniti G35 coupe.

Transmission performance

The six-speed manual transmission in the 2023 Nissan Z is a carryover unit from the 370Z, with the same ratios. It is however paired to a slightly taller final drive ratio to match the additional power (particularly broad torque spread) from the new twin-turbo engine.

Thanks to the heavy revisions to the transmission shift linkages and fitment of a better Exedy high-performance clutch, the feel of rowing the shift lever is much better in the 2023 Nissan Z. 

Nissan has also fitted Launch Control the manual transmission, enabling the perfect engine rpm and traction control for the most effective and quickest blast from a standstill.

As for the 9-speed automatic, the ratios are well spaced from second to the seventh gear, and the final two are exclusively for use on highway cruising.

Steering and handling

Steering response in the 2023 Nissan Z feels similar to the older 370Z due to the exact same wheelbase and suspension components. The electrically-assisted steering provides good feedback plus a good weightage. 

Ride Comfort

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Ride Comfort

Being a sports car, further added with fixed-rate dampers, ride comfort in the 2023 Nissan Z is definitely on the sporty end. It is stiff, but not uncomfortable. 

Overall NVH is tolerable for a sports car but we feel the Toyota GR Supra is a lot more refined, which has Comfort mode electronic adaptive damper system. The sporty front seats are sculptured in a way that maintains the natural body posture with additional bolsters and support padding.

Fuel Consumption

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Fuel Economy

While it is still unofficial, expect the fuel economy of the new 2023 Nissan Z to be within the standard of these 405 hp sports cars of approx. 8 litres per 100 km or 12 km/L 

Conclusion

Nissan Z Proto ā€“ Conclusion

We should celebrate the existence of the 2023 Nissan Z, as the two-door sportscar market is at the brink of conclusion due to emission regulations, impracticality, and performance levels that are simply not special anymore. A Volkswagen Golf R could easily outmanoeuvre a Nissan Z over every single road with ease, while being able to carry luggage and a few more friends.

But, the charm of the sports car is its styling, its seating position and the legacy it continues to carry forward. All emotional attributes that simply make a sports car special. There are also no derivatives lower-end models like Nissan Z Eco or Urban, unlike the myriad number of Honda Civic, Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 2-series variantsā€¦you get the idea. There is no need to guess a sports car when you see one.  

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Will Nissan Z Proto have upcoming cars launching in 2021?

No. Nissan Z Proto has no launching plans in 2021.

What are the best alternatives/competitors of Nissan Z Proto 2020?

Nissan Z Proto 2020 will be competing against the likes of Porsche Taycan, Chery Arrizo 3, Chery Arrizo 5, Chery Arrizo 6, Chery Arrizo 7.

What colors of Nissan Z Proto are selling in 2020?

The exterior color of Nissan Z Proto are .