The new Nissan Z Proto concept previews the next-generation of the Japanese automaker’s long-running Z sports car lineup and will serve as a direct rival to the Chevrolet Camaro.
This retro-look sports car pulls inspiration from the Nissan 240Z and 300ZX and features a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive. While horsepower and torque figures are not being shared at this time, Nissan already has a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 engine in its portfolio, which produces 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. The engine, currently offered in the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport, would give the next-generation Z sports car a sizable power jump from the current Nissan 370Z, which makes 332 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque from its naturally aspirated 3.7L V6.
Inside, the Nissan Z Proto features “an ideal sports car cabin,” the automaker says, which was designed using input from unnamed “professional motorsports legends.” In place of a traditional tachometer and speedometer is a 12.3-inch digital cluster display, which clearly displays all relevant performance information including RPM, ideal shift point and more. The Z Proto also debuts Nissan’s new “deep dish” multifunction steering wheel, which is joined by bolstered sport seats, a spherical shift knob and contrasting yellow piping and stitching.
It’s not clear when the actual next-gen Z sports car will arrive, but the Nissan Z Proto concept looks pretty much production-ready, so we can’t imagine it will be a very long wait. When the production model finally does go on sale, it will likely serve as a direct rival to the 6.2L LT2 V8 Chevrolet Camaro models, occupying a similar price point and performance bracket. The Nissan Z Proto’s turbocharged V6 may not have the power and torque of Chevy’s naturally aspirated LT2 V8 engine, but with two fewer seats, it will probably have less weight to lug around.
We’ll get the full details on the production Nissan Z once they become available, but for now, be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more GM competition news, Chevrolet Camaro news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
that bright yellow color isn’t doing the car any favors.
car and driver is saying this will start in the mid $40Ks. seems a little high even with a big engine.
Price is in line with the current Supra.
but the current z starts at $30K. that is a 50% jump in price.
granted this will have a bigger engine and should have better everything, but i think a lot of people(including myself) were hoping something comparable to a mustang/camaro in terms of price.
more like mid-30s.
Nissan was developing a new Silvia and that car would have occupied that space.
I love the back, side profile is great, inside is OK. front is almost too simplified though. I appreciate simple when right now everyone has super aggressive busy styling, but maybe just a little character would be nice. Overall great though, like steve said though it does seem a little high on price
Looks are subjective, but this beats the Supra for sure.
I like the MKV…
That interior doesn’t look modern AT ALL. Way too much carry-over from the already old previous model, both inside and out. This is a sad effort.
This looks like cars a video games when they don’t have the rights to the real thing. Kinda Fiat spider like in the front
I hope the real car looks better than this . The inside looks better than the outside Nothing Nissan has done comes close to the 1990-96 300ZX.
I think this looks good. Understated clean look.
Better than the weird bug like odd looking BMW Supra but that’s not saying much. The current Mustang/Camaro are much better looking than this rather dated overly simple design.
Price will determine whether the Nissan Z Proto is successful or not as the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro has a starting price of about $25K and if the new Z-car is priced similar, there will be buyers, it will be different if the starting price of the base Z-car is $50K and buyers may prefer getting a C8 Corvette instead.
That is going to be a big flop just like the supra.
The Supra is a goofy looking, re-skinned Z4 with awkward proportions. Plus it doesn’t have a manual. The A90 is a far cry from the old Supra.
If the Z has a reasonable starting price, I think it should do pretty well. Young people love boosted cars, since they’re very tuneable. It offers a manual. The design (in my opinion) is nice and classic. If the driving dynamics are good, I think they have a winner on their hands.
I think this is for Camaro/Mustang/Challenge category. Like US Supra they won’t waste money on a 4 banger model but the meat of the performance market is the SS/GT//RT models. Looks like Nissan did some homework on the new Z because if priced or conservative too much it’s gone like the 90’s models or too uninspiring like the current one.
the front end is very boring , the color sucks, but better looking than the clown front face of this years camaro. mho
I had 1990 300Z twin-turbo from 1990-2004 and I paid $38000 for it so that much 30 years later is not so bad. They were great cars and the first real sports car that did not fall apart constantly like English cars. I have had Corvettes for the past 20 years and I would get one of these for a 2nd car if they get decent colors on them….every Z I had (6) was super reliable and tons of fun to drive…