What do we think about the new Nissan Z?

David S.
By David S. Wallens
May 3, 2022 | Nissan, Z-car, Nissan Z

Photography by David S. Wallens

ICYMI: An all-new Nissan Z is headed our way, with the new one getting twin-turbo power. We can’t yet discuss the price or driving impressions, but everything else is fair game.

So, what questions do we have, and what do we think about it?

Is it a worthy successor to the original? A valid alternative to the Supra? Better than a BRZ?

Discuss.

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Comments
bmw88rider
bmw88rider GRM+ Memberand UberDork
5/2/22 10:41 a.m.

It's got a lot of pluses to it. Pretty good looks, Proper transmission, looks like a pretty good interior layout. Plus a pretty good power plant. 

 

Maybe I'm getting old but I don't see that being much more fun than my BRZ though. I guess I mean is it worth another 15-18K at least than what I paid for my car. I'm sure it's a lot more luxurious and has a lot more power but I'll be honest, I've not walked away from time behind the wheel of my BRZ and said man, I need another 150 HP. I know different class of sports car but I can already get in enough trouble with what I have already. 

It's great to have options though and I'm very happy this exists. 

stuart in mn
stuart in mn MegaDork
5/2/22 10:44 a.m.

I like how it looks, but I'm not sure a dash gauge for 'turbo speed' is very useful.

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter)
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
5/2/22 10:46 a.m.

The exterior isn't bad, but I think the sharp edges on the front clash with the otherwise smooth rounded body. At least that's how it appears in pics to me. 

I certainly don't hate it though, and it's better than the 350z, but I'm not sure it's an improvement appearance-wise over the 370z. 

Tom1200
Tom1200 UltraDork
5/2/22 10:59 a.m.

I think it looks a lot better than the 350 or the 370.

On a different note; I see they had you driving down one of our driving roads.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
5/2/22 10:59 a.m.

In reply to stuart in mn :

"Turbo boost" isn't all that useful either, but it's still fun.

The front quarter shot is so clean it looks like either a show car or a highly modified custom from early in the century. The rear quarter looks like someone used the taillight and rear garnish assembly from a 300Z as part of that custom. 

That is one seriously packed engine bay.

The various Zs have never done anything for me over the years. They just don't touch me. But I hope it's a success because it's an interesting car and we need interesting cars. I suspect it will be very good for the body styling industry.

nocones
nocones GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
5/2/22 11:06 a.m.

As a previous owner of a 350Z track I hope it's exciting.  The 350Z was always just enough.  It was fast enough, it drove nice enough, it was cheap enough, the interior was quality enough  It just was never super exciting.  

It didn't have personality or engagement like a Miata, nor did it feel special.  I liked it but it's no longer in the garage.   I really hope the new one just has that enough extra to be exciting and engaging.  Because it was never about bad performance, as a performance car the 350/370 are plenty.  

Toyman!
Toyman! GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
5/2/22 11:12 a.m.

I've been studying them since the G35 is blown up. 

The Nismo Tech 370 is tempting me as well, but the Z is going to have more HP and "Turbo Speed."

rocket snail | Funny gif, Snail, Animation

Turbo_Rev
Turbo_Rev Reader
5/2/22 11:19 a.m.

Those gauges are there for the sole purpose of being replaced with something useful. Or ignored by non-enthusiast who just want a race car.

Glad to see they finally upgraded to technology in the interior and added all this:

which seems to put it on par with its direct competitors. Finally. 

That front clip makes it a hard "no" for me, though. I don't know what focus group they ran that by but ugh. Id be surprised if it survived to the 2nd iteration.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
5/2/22 11:59 a.m.

And some historical context for the nose:

engiekev
engiekev HalfDork
5/2/22 12:07 p.m.

Turbo speed is highly unlikely to be a measured parameter (boost certainly is), but an ECM signal based on a model.  Most OEM ECM software uses this signal as a limit to avoid overspeeding the turbo, not so much as a displayable parameter.  This is very unique, but not so useful as mentioned.

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