Nissan Tuesday launched the seventh-generation Z-Car with a simplified lineup of two models and a streamlined name, Nissan Z. The car will have a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine, an estimated zero to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, and a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission. It will ship in spring 2022 as a 2023 model, with the Toyota Supra as its primary competitor.
Nissan is keeping the lineup and options list simple, mindful that yearly sales haven’t hit 10,000 units in a decade, a far cry from the last century when in the best years, annual sales came close to the 100,000 unit mark. The 2023 entry model is the Z Sport; the upgrade model is the Z Performance. There also will be a one-time, launch edition run of 240 units as in 240Z, the very first 1970 then-Datsun Z-Car called the Nissan Z Proto Spec.
Launch date and details
The upcoming 2023 Nissan Z coupe’s global launch has been delayed, with the manufacturer facing supply chain constraints. Initially scheduled to launch in late June this year, The Nissan Z’s debut has now been pushed back, potentially hitting international streets as late as September. Alongside the announcement of prices in its native Japan, Nissan said the rear-wheel drive coupe’s release would be impacted by parts supply issues.
When the Z does go on sale in Japan, it will start at $41,081. That gets a person the entry-level Fairlady Z spec with either the six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic gearbox. The two top specs, the Version ST and Proto Spec, start at ($50,650 and $54,599, respectively, regardless of the gearbox. The only price difference in Japan is between Version S and Version T. The Version S is equipped with a manual transmission, starting at $47,521. The Version T comes with the auto and starts at a cheaper $44,572. Both are mid-range trims.
The 2023 Nissan Z coupe will arrive in Australian dealerships in the middle of 2022, with a launch edition available in limited numbers. While a single variant of the Z sports car will join the Nissan range locally, a limited-edition Z Proto Spec is to be offered with several unique features.
Borrowing its powertrain from Infiniti models in the US, the new Z will use a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 298kW and 475Nm, powering the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox with an Exedy high-performance clutch and rev-matching. Although it’s new for 2023, Nissan hasn’t changed the layout of the Z’s cabin. It remains a two-seat coupe with no vestigial rear seats à la Porsche 911. What has changed, though, is everything else.
The new Z receives a modernized cabin with updated materials, a welcome improvement over the current 370Z’s dated interior. Leather upholstery, power-adjustable seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control are all available. Cargo space remains a mystery, but we aren’t expecting the Z to be a Costco-run champion; we fit three carry-on suitcases in the trunk of the old 370Z, which should be plenty for most sports-car buyers.
