Forbidden fruit
Nissan’s new Z-car won’t be coming to Europe. Here’s the lowdown on what we’ll be missing
WE WERE SO SMUG ABOUT GETTING TO enjoy the Alpine A110 at the expense of our American friends, weren’t we? And the same applies to the Toyota GR Yaris. But it looks like karma’s biting back hard with the reveal of Nissan’s production-ready Z coupe, which if you haven’t already guessed will remain firmly in the ‘forbidden fruit’ section of this magazine alongside Ford’s Mustang GT500 (page 14).
Why won’t we see it in Europe? Ultimately it comes down to Nissan needing to spend money, which it doesn’t exactly have a lot of, with little prospect of making very much in return: the cost of making its new Z-car Euro emissions-friendly is unlikely to be recuperated by the tiny numbers two-seater, rear-drive coupes sell in.
To compound the frustrations of not having a new rear-drive, front-engined coupe to consider, Nissan’s latest Z couldn’t be more appealing. It isn’t hybridised or all-electric, instead it’s powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.
At 4382mm, the Z is 142mm longer than the 370Z on which it is based, and almost bang-on the same length as the Toyota GR Supra. At 1850mm wide and 1310mm tall, it is a little narrower and taller than the Supra but has an identical footprint with 255/40 R19 front and 275/35 R19 rear Bridgestone rubber (on its upper two trim levels).
Under the bonnet is the VR30DDTT engine that powers high-specification variants of the Infiniti Q50 and Japanese-market Skyline. Power is rated at an even 400bhp, torque at 350lb ft. These are significantly higher than the figures for the 370Z (323bhp/268lb ft) and also the six-cylinder Eu-spec Supra, which produces 335bhp from its Bmw-derived B58 3-litre turbocharged motor, although in other markets, including Japan and the US, the Toyota is rated at 382bhp.
The Z’s six-speed manual transmission (a ninespeed auto is also offered) features a carbonfibre propshaft and rev-matching – something the 370Z pioneered back in 2008 – plus a launch control function that electronically holds the revs at the optimum level when the clutch is dipped, ensuring the fastest possible getaway when released. ‘Performance grade’ models will also be fitted with a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Aesthetically, the Z draws its inspiration from two of its most famous predecessors, the original 240Z and later 300ZX. The silhouette is pure ’70s
Nissan, with a long bonnet, wraparound screen, flat roof and familiar C-pillar motif. The nose, dominated by a single aggressive opening, is flanked by two LED headlights that, together with the surrounding bodywork, mimic the circular lights of the 240Z. The 300ZX is referenced by the LED tail lights.
Yet while there will undoubtedly be disappointment that the new Nissan Z won’t find its way to Europe, enthusiasts like us might reflect that we only have ourselves to blame for not buying cars like these in sufficient numbers…