Nissan prices retro-futuristic Z
It is one of the most anticipated launches of this year, but one of the biggest question marks hovering over the arrival of the new Nissan Z has been that of, ‘how much?’.
The outgoing 370Z had a starting price of $50,490 plus on-road costs, an especially attractive number for a low-slung two-door coupe that offered compelling performance – topping out at $64,490 plus on-road costs for the flagship Nismo variant in automatic trim.
However, the 370Z’s replacement, now simply called ‘Z’, brings with it a significant tech boost both in the engine bay and inside the cabin.
A twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 replaces the old 3.7-litre naturally-aspirated V6 and produces peak outputs of 298kw and 475Nm – big steps up in power and torque – while the cabin is much more screen-centric and boasts new connectivity options.
However, with more technology comes greater cost.
When it officially launches, the new Z will wear a $73,300 plus on-road costs price tag regardless of whether you select the six-speed manual or the nine-speed automatic version.
A limited number of Z Proto Spec flagship models will also be offered, these priced at $80,700.
For Australia, Nissan is bypassing the lower-specification base grade that is destined for the US market.
Instead, all Australia-bound Zs will feature a larger brake package – fourpiston calipers at the front, two-piston
versions at the rear – a proper mechanical limited-slip differential, sports seats, eight-speaker Bose audio, 19-inch alloy wheels, launch control and front and rear spoilers as standard.
The Z Proto Spec adds some cosmet
ic wow via 19-inch bronze-finished forged alloys, yellow accents on the interior, a blacked-out roof turret, plus an exclusive Ikazuchi yellow pearl finish matched with bright yellow brake calipers.
The only real spec low-lights are the fact that Aussie Zs will only get an eight-inch infotainment screen rather than the much more upmarket looking nine-incher that is available to Americans, as well as a quieter exhaust that is mandated by ADR drive-by noise rules.
In other respects, the model represents solid value.
The Z will easily undercut its most obvious rival the Toyota Supra, with that car opening at $87,000 plus onroad costs in GT automatic form.
There’s no word on whether the upcoming manual Supra will trim that price down.
However, it means the Nissan Z will no longer be the most affordable highperformance coupe.
While the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ remain under the $50,000 barrier, they’ve always played in a lower performance tier to the Z.
In terms of big-power coupes, the most affordable option is now the sixspeed manual version of Ford’s 5.0-litre V8-powered Mustang GT, which offers 339kw of power and 556Nm of torque for $64,390 plus on-road costs.
The new Z will be launched in Australia in the middle of this year, with deliveries of the first model of Nissan’s big product offensive scheduled to start in the latter half of 2022.