Here's the First Proof that Nissan is Making An All-New Z Sportscar

We can’t wait for 2021. Despite increased pressure to adopt more zero emissions vehicles, Japanese carmakers aren’t forgetting enthusiasts. Aside from Toyota and Subaru firming up details on their next-generation 86 / BRZ sportscar, Nissan has just given us the first solid indication that an all-new Z sportscar is happening.

Rumors suggested that the all-new Z will get a heritage-inspired design, and now a patent filing done by the carmaker all but confirms this. This patent filing (link here) shows the iconic “Z” logo with a diagonal slash in the middle. Eagle-eyed enthusiast will also note that the font type is similar to the ones that were used on the Datsun 240Z.

Along with the new retro-inspired Z logo, Nissan also filed a patent separately for a new corporate logo (link here). It’s a tweak of what was shown with the Ariya Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, it’s highly likely that the new Z will be the first to get the new minimalist logo.

Not much is known about the all-new Nissan Z at this point, but almost everyone is expecting it to pack a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (VR30). Now available in the Japanese market Skyline, it makes an even 400 horsepower and 675 Nm of torque. With that in mind, it’s likely that the Nissan will dub their new rear-wheel drive sportscar, the 400Z.

It could see its debut within the next 18 months. It’s likely Nissan will use the 2021 Tokyo Motor Show to showcase its all-new sportscar.

Nissan Philippines to Unleash 370Z Sportscar in April with Prices Starting at P 2.779M (w/ Specs)

Committed to injecting a bit of excitement to its local line-up, Nissan Philippines has just announced the availability and pricing of the 2020 Nissan 370Z. The iconic rear-wheel drive sportscar will be made available at all Nissan dealerships starting this April 2020 with prices starting at P 2.779 million.

Hailed as the sibling to the GT-R, and in the developer’s own words—a “better dance partner” (that’s why its Japanese market name is Fairlady Z), the Nissan 370Z offers a strong performance and celebrated heritage.

The 2020 Nissan 370Z is equipped with a 3.7-liter V6. This award-winning VQ37 engine makes 332 horsepower and 363 Nm of torque. This is paired to either a 6-speed manual with the world’s first SynchroRev matching system, or a 7-speed automatic with magnesium paddle shifters and Downshift Rev Matching. Further enhancing the performance are the sport-tuned shock absorbers, sport brakes, limited slip differential, and a carbon fiber composite driveshaft.

Outside, the 370Z wears its strong heritage design on its sleeve. It features HID projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, 19-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, dual exhausts, and a rear spoiler. Inside, it has a driver-focused cockpit with 4-way power adjustable seats, a center-mounted triple meter, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, push start/stop, and sports pedals.

For more discerning enthusiasts, Nissan Philippines is also offering the more exclusive 370Z NISMO. It features a full NISMO aero kit—front and rear bumpers, side sills, rear spoiler, and door mirrors which are functional as they are aggressive-looking. Completing the exterior changes are NISMO exclusive 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged alloy wheels. The interior also features NISMO-styled elements including Recaro Sport Seats and steering wheel wrapped in leather and Alcantara, NISMO red tachometer, and NISMO badging.

And befitting its motorsports heritage, the 370Z NISMO massages its V6 engine to 344 horsepower and 371 Nm of torque. This engine is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Added power aside, the 370Z NISMO also receives a free-flowing exhaust system as well as performance dampers and a strut tower brace for increased rigidity.

“Nissan has a proven heritage of producing some of the most iconic sports cars in the world, and we’re very excited to celebrate this legacy with the Nissan 370Z. The Nissan 370Z has brought great innovation to the sports car segment, showcasing the perfect combination of practicality and performance,” says Atsushi Najima, Nissan Philippines President & Managing Director “We are very happy to turn the ‘sports car dream’ into a reality for Filipinos everywhere this April, as we introduce the Nissan 370z into the market. We are looking forward to sharing this with Filipinos craving for a new and thrilling driving experience.”

The Nissan 370Z Premium will be available in both a 6-speed manual transmission and 7-speed automatic transmission, priced at P 2,779,000 and P 2,879,000, respectively, in select dealerships nationwide. Meanwhile, the Nissan 370Z NISMO, priced at P 3,888,000, will be exclusively available at the Nissan High Performance Center in Quezon Avenue.

Here's Your First Look at the Philippine Spec 2020 Nissan 370Z

Nissan Philippines would like to have you believe that these photos show sightings of the 370Z sportscar. Well, we beg to differ. They’re clearly professionally done—even down to the down-low action shot. So, whatever.

What is important is that they’re whetting our appetite for a brand-new addition to their local line-up, even if it’s essentially an 11-year old sportscar.

Now, the write-up that came with the photos didn’t come with any sort of detail such as price or specs, but they did mention two variants: Premium and NISMO.

At the very least, this confirms that the Philippine spec 370Z will come in both manual and automatic flavors.

Having said that, here’s the difference. Based on another source, it’s the “base” Premium that’ll come with the 6-speed manual and a three-pedal set-up, while it’ll be the NISMO that’ll get the 7-speed automatic (see photos below).

Regardless, this means we’ll be getting the 3.7-liter V6 engine in two states of tune—328 horsepower and 363 Nm of torque for the Premium, and 344 horsepower and 371 Nm of torque for the NISMO.

In terms of equipment, the 370Z will at least receive automatic HID headlights (yup, still no LEDs for this baby) with washers, rain-sensing wipers, power folding mirrors, steering wheel-mounted controls, automatic climate control, and a push-button engine start/stop with passive keyless entry—even base model 370Zs are this well-loaded elsewhere.

Now, basing everything on the “spotted” photos, the Premium model looks to receive the 19-inch RAYS wheels. However, from the inside, it looks to be closer to that of the base 370Z model. With that, it comes with leather seats and not much less; even the radio system’s a throwback to the pre-touchscreen set-up.

Moving up to the 370Z NISMO, it’ll receive even lighter weight 19-inch forged RAYS wheels (Nissan actually calls it super-lightweight), a complete NISMO aero kit, a free-flowing exhaust system, and enhanced body stiffness. Inside, it seems to have a suede-lined steering wheel and Recaro sport seats decked in leather and suede.

As for colors, there will be at least three available: Universal Silver, Vibrant Red, and Storm White based once again on the photos. There’s no word on pricing yet, but the figure being floated around is somewhere in the region of P 2.8-million.

The Nissan 370Z is officially launching this week.

Nissan's Next-Generation Z Car May Pack a Turbocharged V6

In the perennial, “will they or won’t they” question regarding a next-generation Z car, it seems the latest answer from Nissan is now in the affirmative. Yes, there will be a next-generation Z car.

A report from Autoblog says Nissan is already hard at work on a next-generation Z car, and this one is said to have a heritage-inspired design. Sources who talked to the website said that while the silhouette and general shape is similar to the current Z, the front end will be 240Z-esque with a square mouth and rounded taillights. At the back? A more rectangular design that mimics the 300ZX from the 1990s.

Inside, it’ll finally have a modern infotainment system along with an interior that’s similar to the new Altima and Sentra.

Under the hood, it’s expected to share a version of the 3.0-liter VR30 V6 that’s currently in use in the Japanese market Skyline. In that guise, it makes 400 horsepower and 675 Nm of torque. With performance numbers very close to the GT-R, expect the engine to be de-tuned or even drop a turbo. A 9-speed automatic is said to be paired with it, though Nissan may offer a manual transmission as well.

Autoblog says that the earliest time the world will see a next-generation Z car would be in 18 months. It’s likely that Nissan could make this a star attraction at its Tokyo Motor Show exhibit in 2021.

Source: Autoblog

If You Want to Win at This Racing Event, Drive a Nissan

Accepted as South Africa’s equivalent of the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom, the Knysna Speed Festival gave birth to the Simola Hillclimb. Vying for the fastest time up the 1.9-kilometer track, it draws racers from all corners of the world. Wherever they come from though, 8 out of 9 of them chose to race in a Nissan.

The wing-mad Nissan GT-R of Franco Scribante set a new record of 38.551 seconds during qualifying and won the title of “King of the Hill” with a final time of 39.342 seconds. He was the only contender to break the 40-second barrier in a production, albeit modified, vehicle.

“The GT-R kept surprising me for the ease with which it delivered its power. It is a very rewarding supercar to drive,” says Scribante.

Another standout is the GT-R that set a 40.862-second final time. Piloted by Kyle Mitchell, his feat is all the more impressive given that his car is road legal with all the creature comforts, including the Bose sound system and climate control intact.

In fact, out of the Top 10 times at the Simola Hillclimb, five were Skylines or GT-Rs. The rest were a Jaguar (#3), Toyota (#6), Lotus (#7), Subaru (#8), and Ferrari (#10).

Aside from GT-Rs, a Nissan 370Z, in cabriolet form no less, took the top honors in the naturally-aspirated six-cylinder sportscar class, while the Navara won as the fastest SUV/pickup with a time of 53.306 seconds—2.476 seconds faster than the Ford Ranger.

Nissan Celebrates 50 Years of the Z Car by Recreating a Motorsports Classic (w/ 9 Photos)

Nissan is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Z car with the introduction of the 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition. Designed with a distinctive racing livery appearance, it pays homage to the #46 BRE Datsun 240Z that won multiple SCCA National Championships.

Based off the purest “Sport” trim model, the 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition mimics the livery of the original BRE racecar. For 2020 though, it comes in two possible color schemes: white with red accents, or silver with black accents. Key BRE design cues include the two signature stripes on the side of the car and the painted trunk, hood, side mirrors, and A-pillars in the accent color (red for the white car and black for the silver car). Along the side of the car, a thin line runs from the headlight to the rear glass, culminating in a small triangle inspired by the C-pillar of the Datsun 240Z. The package also includes 50th Anniversary identification on the front fender, anniversary rear badging, and special 19-inch alloy wheels with red accents.

Special touches include a “50th Anniversary” steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara, with a race car-inspired centering stripe. The leather-appointed and suede-covered heated four-way power seats, which feature adjustable lumbar support, have unique stitching, graphics and the 50th Anniversary logo embossed into the backrests. Dark chrome accents are used throughout the interior, including special kick plates adorned with the Z logo and synthetic suede door panel inserts exclusive to the special edition model.

Unfortunately, the 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition doesn’t see any mechanical changes. The engine is still a 3.7-liter V6 making 332 horsepower and 366 Nm of torque. The 50th Anniversary model comes equipped with a close-ratio, 6-speed manual gearbox that features a synchronized downshift rev-matching system called SynchroRev Match or a 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching, paddle shifters, and adaptive shift control.

For handling, it retains the front Double Wishbones with lightweight forged aluminum arms, an independent rear multi-link suspension, four-wheel vented disc brakes, and lightweight 19-inch RAYS forged wheels shod with high-grip Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires.

There’s no news if Nissan Philippines will offer the 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition for sale locally, but they have confirmed that the 370Z is indeed arriving both as a “regular” and “NISMO” versions within the year.