Nissan’s next-generation Z car to sport retro look
Nissan issued a first look at its upcoming Z sports car via a YouTube video entitled NISSAN NEXT: From A to Z, where it showed off its upcoming lineup of vehicles, including the new sports car in almost full view.
Seen in silhouette, the car appears to include rear haunches that throw back to the original 240Z, and angled round headlights set into the long snout.
Nissan has said it would have “retro-inspired looks,” and it appears it’s going to deliver on that promise.
Also visible is the classic “Z” badge on the rear upper quarter panel.
There are still many unknowns about the new Z, including what engine will be under that long hood. The favourite seems to be the twinturbo 3.0-litre V6 currently used in the Infiniti Q60, with which the Z is likely to share a platform.
That engine can easily produce 400 horsepower, and would be a good fit for the rumoured “400Z” nameplate.
If it does wear that badge, it will mark the first time the name didn’t reflect the engine’s displacement.
It is expected the next-generation Z won’t be unveiled until 2021.
The new sports car comes at a bad time for Nissan, which is having to slash its lineup to make some more cash. Total vehicle production will apparently be cut by 20 per cent, with the number of global nameplates being reduced from 69 models to 55.
A smaller number of more profitable models will be rolled out soon.
If the teaser video is any indication, the legendary GT-R won’t be among the core nameplates kept around.