2023 Nissan Z Global Debut—with facts, figures & photos
The new Z is very similar to the Z Proto
Last week I told you that it was imminent. Last night it happened— the Global Debut in Brooklyn, New York of the seventh-generation successor to the iconic Datsun 240Z sports car— just five miles from where that car had made its World Debut in 1969.
Timeline showing all seven generations of Z cars
Having owned several Datsun Z cars over the years, of course I watched the event’s live stream. It would have been great to be there in person, but watching online was the next best thing. You can watch a reply of that 20-minute event here, on YouTube: youtu.be/rcw9K7n5sJ0
What I will do here today is share with you some of the facts, figures and photos of the car that we have been eager to learn about and see.
There are two models: Sport and Performance, plus a special Proto Spec edition, which is limited to 240 units. Drive is via the rear wheels.
This car is at once true to the original and yet fully modern in its execution.
Datsun 240Z & Nissan Z
It begins with the car’s name. For the first time ever, its name is simply the Nissan Z.
By omitting a reference to the displacement of the model generation’s internal combustion engine, its new name is well suited to go forward into the future.
With its exterior design that features a long hood and gently sloping two-passenger cabin that leads into a practical hatchback, the Nissan Z takes its strongest design cues from the 240Z, with a hint of the 300ZX at the rear.
Jan & his 1971 Mandarin Orange Datsun 240Z in the 1970s. The new car has changed a lot.
Left to Right: 2023 Nissan Z and Nissan 300ZX
It will be available in monotone and two-tone colors. The white LED lights at the front suggest the reflections from the clear headlight covers that were available for the 240Z’s headlight buckets.
The Nissan Z is very similar to the Z Proto design study, which was introduced in September, 2020.
Z Proto from 2020
Like the original 240Z, the 2023 Nissan Z also has a 6-cylinder engine, but that is where the similarities end. Whereas the first such engine was a 2395cc straight six with triple SU carburetors, the new engine is a thoroughly modern, 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo, 24-valve DOHC rated at 400 horsepower @ 6,400 RPM and 350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600 – 5,600 RPM, with Electronic Variable Valve Timing Control; small pitch, silent cam chain; drive-by-wire throttle and more.
Also like the original, the Nissan Z will be available with your choice of a manual transmission or an automatic—but here the manual is a 6-speed close-ratio unit with available SynchroRev Match©, allowing heel-and-toe downshifting, and an advanced launch assist control system in Z Performance models.
The automatic is an electronically controlled 9-speed transmission with Manual Shift Mode, Launch Control, Downshift Rev Matching, Sport or Performance paddle shifters, and more.
With a welcome nod to the 240Z, the instrumentation includes an analog triple-pod cluster above the dashboard (turbocharger boost, turbocharger turbine speed and voltmeter).
The two passenger seats are either black woven seat cloth with synthetic suede inserts, or leather-appointed seating surfaces with synthetic suede inserts (Performance).
The modern displays are either 8.0-inch or 9.0-inch.
The standard audio system includes six speakers, with an 8-speaker Bose® audio system available. Also available are Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement (Performance), hands-free Text Messaging Assistant, NissanConnect® with WiFi, Voice Recognition and much more.
Suspension is double-wishbone at the front and multi-link at the rear. There is a 2-point front strut tower brace and high-response monotube shock absorbers. A sport-tuned suspension, mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential, and Sport Brakes (14.0-inch front/13.8-inch rear rotors and 4-piston front/2-piston rear aluminum caliper) are available (Performance).
The wheels are 18-inch aluminum alloys, with 245/45R18 front / 245/45R18 rear Yokohama ADVAN Sport high performance tires. Optionally available are 19-inch RAYS® super-lightweight forged-alloy wheels with 255/40R19 front / 275/35R19 rear Bridgestone Potenza® S007 high-performance tires (Performance).
Safety technologies include Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.
The 2023 Nissan Z is expected to go on sale at Nissan Dealers throughout the U.S. in spring 2022. Pricing has not yet been released.
Much more information is available online. Begin your search at: www.nissanusa.com/live/zreveal?postreveal=true
To see the most photos and most recent text, and to explore a wide variety of content dating back to 2002, visit AutoMatters & More at AutoMatters.net. On the Home Page, search by title or topic, or click on the blue ‘years’ boxes.
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Comments (10)
Great looking car, I hope it drives and sounds as good as it looks.
Matthew,
With 400hp and lots of performance tech, it looks promising.
Jan
Excellent Jan. Love this article.
I think it's safe to declare that Nissan is BACK! Let's hope they keep going in this direction with all of their cars now.
Thanks David,
While not perfect, the 240Z was a wonderful sports car. It was quick; nimble, with easily controllable handling, practical (lots of storage space); great looking; and affordable. I wish that I still had my orange one.
The...
Read moreHey Jan. Great article. As you and I both owned the original 1970 Datsun 240Z, I’ve read all your columns since I first stumbled upon DT less than a year ago. I don’t know where to start with my comments, but here goes in no particular order:
Is there any real difference between the recently revealed Z Proto and this 2023 Z? My impression is that they are the same car, and Nissan simple leaked the Z Proto as a way to launch the advertising campaign for the Z. It’s too much of a coincidence.
I’m surprised that Nissan is trying to evoke the clear plastic headlight covers of the original 240Z by using the two semi circle lights. From my own personal experience, Datsun/Nissan didn’t even sell these clear plastic covers, even though they were an obvious accessory. After much searching, I was able to buy these covers from Bob Sharp Racing.
Bob Sharp was a preeminent Datsun racing driver of the era, and sold Datsuns and accessories of his own design. His headlight cover kit consisted of a clear molded plastic cover to mimic the front fender line, three small brackets to support it, three screws and epoxy glue.
Installation was a bit tricky to get the exact alignment, but it was not sufficiently robust. Within a few weeks, both covers were broken by cars backing into me while parking on the busy streets of Montreal. I can see now why the headlight covers were never an official accessories sold by Datsun. The returns and refunds would have been endless.
As an aside, Bob Sharp’s son is Scott Sharp, who has raced in F1 and almost every racing series in America. He is still very active.
I’ve noticed that in the “blueprint” drawing of all the generations of Z-Cars, the cars look ever so slightly compressed (shorter). Is this an optical illusion or just my eyes? The cars look longer and lower in photos.
These comment are rather random, but it shows I really do read your columns. Keep them coming! David.
Thanks David,
I have no doubt that you read my columns. I chuckled when I read that.
As for the clear headlight covers, I never saw them on Z cars back in the day, or as accessories at Datsun dealerships. However, I do believe they may have been...
Read moreI hope your experience with the rock and headlight bucket didn’t happen at night. Driving through Montana with only one working headlight is risky business.
I like the name “bucket “ you use for the headlight cutout. It’s very...
Read moreIts so good, I would buy one