Update: Nissan has indeed revealed the new 2023 Nissan Z, as planned. You can read all about it here…but if you like seeing just how correct we were ahead of time, feel free to read on.
Nissan is just now starting to bring a (much-needed) onslaught of new cars to market. The surprisingly good new Rogue is out, and Nissan’s Ariya electric crossover is coming soon, along with a new Pathfinder and the new Frontier. But the car we’re most excited to drive is the new Z sports car, which will almost certainly be called the 400Z. It will replace the positively ancient 370Z — which has been in production since 2008 — and take the fight to everything from the Toyota GR Supra to the Ford Mustang to the Porsche 718 Cayman.
Here’s everything else we know about Nissan’s new sports car so far.
The new 2022 Nissan Z will make its debut on August 17
After making the Z Proto concept a staple of those Brie Larson commercials for months now, Nissan has confirmed when and where we’ll all meet the production version: August 17th, 2021, in New York City. Originally, this date was pegged to the 2021 New York International Auto Show; that was cancelled due to the resurging coronavirus, but while other carmakers quickly followed suit in axing their NYC events, Nissan is staying the course and doing an in-person reveal from Brooklyn. (You can watch the live event here on the evening of 8/17.)
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The 2022 Nissan Z Arrives August 17. Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Nissan’s new Z car arrives before summer’s end. Here’s what we know as we approach the launch date.
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The 400Z will pack a twin-turbo V6
Nissan has gone on record saying the Z Proto concept car seen here, which previews the 2022 Z, uses a twin-turbo V6. That likely means it’s getting the twin-turbo V6 from the Infiniti Q60 coupe. That car has a 300-hp base model and a tuned-up 400-hp Red Sport model; as the new Supra shows, both power levels would suit the new Z car.
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The 2022 Nissan Z Arrives Tomorrow. Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Nissan’s new Z car is about to be revealed.
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The production Z might have a different front than the concept
While the Nissan Z Proto concept car (seen in this gallery) is expected to be almost identical to the production 400Z, recent spy photos posted by The Hoonigans Instagram account seem to suggest the production car will bisect the giant grille of the concept with some body paneling, reducing the size of the maw. (For what it’s worth, we think that’s a great move.)
Instagram / thehoonigans
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@nissanarabia
There could be an even more powerful NISMO Nissan Z coming soon
But regardless of how much the 2022 Nissan Z makes, the version that comes a year later could make even more. As Autoblog reported based on rumors from Japan, Nissan is allegedly developing a sportier NISMO version of the new 400Z that will show up in calendar year 2022 which will pack additional power — and even run in Japan’s Super GT racing series.
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The new Nissan Z should (hopefully) be in owner hands by the end of the year
The biggest question mark around the new 400Z (or, as it may be called, just Nissan Z) is when exactly buyers will be able to place their orders and take one home. A recent report from the newnissanZ.com forum claims that, according to an anonymous source inside Nissan, the order books for the new Nissan Z won’t open until November 15th. (Here’s hoping they’re wrong.)
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The new Z will have a manual transmission
Nissan showed the Z Proto with a six-speed manual, with an automatic option “under development.” It would make sense for the Q60’s seven-speed automatic to be the other option.
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These Are the 16 Best Cars to Buy in 2021
Kelley Blue Book has released their best cars to buy awards for 2021. The results may surprise you.
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