Nissan Is Going Retro With Its New “Z” Sports Car
Most Japanese manufacturers are in the habit of looking to the future with their designs. With each iteration, we get close to something that looks like it came straight out of Bladerunner.
But that’s not quite how Nissan sees it. In fact, the new Z looks very much like a blast from the past.
Nissan has been struggling for some time to develop a design that would really help its sports vehicles stand out from the crowd. Engineers at the firm had tried all sorts of things, but nothing really “stuck.” Then they decided to look for inspiration from the past. And, to their surprise, they discovered a formula that worked. The result is the new Z sports car.
According to lead designer at the firm, Alfonso Albaisa, the whole company was a little depressed about the direction it was going. The brand seemed to be losing its spark and passion for motoring, churning out dull, uninspiring cars year after year. But, he says, the new Z has brought the whole team together. People at Nissan’s head office are now passionate about their jobs again because they get to work on such stunning vehicles.
Car connoisseurs will immediately notice that the new Z looks very similar to Nissan’s 240Z, originally unveiled in 1969. It has the downward curving roof, the long hood and a big fat grille at the front. But when you inspect the vehicle more closely, you see subtle differences reflecting decades of aerodynamics research, trial and error.
For Nissan, the Z isn’t so much a new model designed to improve profits. Instead, it is a project that the brand hopes will help it rediscover its pedigree. Top people at Nissan are worried that engineers simply don’t have any inspiring projects to work on. Many, therefore, need projects like this to keep the brand alive.
About The Z
So, what can you expect from the Z if you buy one?
Well, first is ample performance. Nissan says that the vehicle will sport a 400 BHP engine with six-speed manual transmission. For those wanting a more luxurious and less racy experience, Nissan will also offer the Z with a nine-speed transmission. On the inside, the Z will offer a 8-inch touch screen display. The rest of the dash will be decidedly retro, featuring various knobs and buttons you can press. There will also be dials that show system voltage, turbo pressure and turbo speed.
Nissan says that it will make two versions of the Z: Sports and Performance. Both will have the same engine. However, the Performance version will come with leather seats, a rear spoiler and launch control.
The History Of The Z Series
Nissan’s Z series has a long and illustrious history going back decades. It is the central project that made the car brand exciting for enthusiasts all over the world.
In 2021, however, it will be more than a decade since Nissan released a vehicle sporting the “Z” badge. The last example was the 370Z introduced all the way back in 2009 during the height of the financial crisis.
Nissan made the 370Z available to buyers every year since then, but the company didn’t make many changes or upgrades. So, eventually, sales fell.
Historically, Nissan focused on safety. If you own a competitor car, such as the 2000GT, you often have to find a car accident lawyer you can trust because accidents are so common. But with the Datsun 240Z, that wasn’t the case. The car was both reliable and affordable, offering a level of safety that you couldn’t get from other Japanese automakers in the past. Nissan will likely continue this approach to the new Z. Expect the car to be priced competitively for a sports car, undercutting virtually all European cars with similar specifications. Nissan says that the new car will go on sale in spring 2022. Prices are not yet known. However, if you want to purchase a 370Z today, you’ll need to spend at least $31,000. With upgrades and other features, the likely total cost for a car like this is around $40,000.
The Z is certainly a welcome return to form for Nissan – a company that hasn’t been doing all that much in the enthusiast space. And the daring design leaves you wondering whether sports car aesthetics are going to change for the better. Nissan is taking a risk with the retro styling, but it could prove highly popular. After all, retro cars were a smash hit in the past.
Cover Image Credits: Unsplash
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