On August 17, 2021 Nissan unveiled the upcoming 2023 Nissan Z. It’s a return to the classic Z-cars in some ways, and in others it pushes technology even further. Equipped with a 400 horsepower, twin-turbo V6 and a choice of a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic, the 2023 Nissan Z is pretty much everything we hoped it would be.
The 2023 Z will be available in two trims – Sport and Performance. Although both are available with the nine-speed automatic, complete with paddle shifters – although the Performance trim will be equipped with “Unique paddle shifters” – launch control is not available with the Sport trim, but it is standard on the Performance trim.
The speedometer and tachometer will be part of a fully-digital display directly in front of the driver. There will also be an additional three gauges mounted that will display the boost, turbine speed, and voltmeter readings.
The all-new, seventh-generation 2023 Z, which drops its numerical prefix in the U.S. for the first time, is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in the Spring of 2022.
Nissan Z Performance
As is to be expected, the 2023 Nissan Z will be rear wheel drive and we expect it to be very impressive on the road with 350 lb-ft of torque, in addition to the 400 hp produced by the VR30DDTT engine. This is a significant increase in power compared to the previous generation 370Z – 68 horsepower and a 30% increase in torque, to be exact. This should translate to a marked improvement in 0 to 60 time while providing a smooth response to input from the driver.
Interestingly, in a first for Nissan, the manual transmission equipped versions will include an advanced launch control system. This will help deliver a smooth amount of power through the carbon-fibre composite drive shaft when accelerating from a stopped position.
“Z is the pure expression of thrill. It is Nissan’s passion wrapped up on four wheels,” said Ashwani Gupta, representative executive officer and chief operating officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. “The new Z retains its authenticity as a pure sports car to keep you connected to the road while bringing in the latest modern technologies to make sure the car can help keep you connected to your life.”
Nissan Z Styling
Nissan directly pulls inspiration from previous Z cars, retaining the classic long hood and short deck. Nissan says the design philosophy was, “tradition with modern technology.”
“Inspired by the voices of thousands of Z owners and Z lovers, and ignited by internal conversations around the six generations of Z that have come before, we found ourselves gravitating towards the sketches that touched the high points of certain decades while remaining true to our vision of the future,” said Alfonso Albaisa, global head of design at Nissan. “Ultimately, we created a Z that travels between the decades while being completely modern.”
The connection to the original Z is clearly visible when looking at the 2023 Z from the side. The way the roofline connects to the nose of the car, along with the squared-off rear provides a distinct throwback to the first generation Z car.
Nissan will offer single color finishes – Black Diamond Metallic, Gun Metallic and Rosewood Metallic – as well as two-tone exterior options featuring six different color options paired with a “Super Black” roof. Those color options are Brilliant Silver, Boulder Gray, new Seiran Blue, new Ikazuchi Yellow, Passion Red TriCoat and Everest White Pearl TriCoat.
Nissan Z Interior
Nissan worked closely with professional motorsports drivers to create the ideal interior for all drivers. In addition to the 12.3″ main display, it includes an 8.0″ touch-screen infotainment display with climate control switching conveniently located near the shifter. The Performance edition increases the infotainment display to 9 inches and adds an 8-speaker Bose® Audio system.
The main display will offer three modes: Normal, Enhanced, and Sport. The Normal mode leaves the center free for navigation, audio, and general vehicle information. The Enhanced mode moves the tachometer and speedometer to the edges of the display, providing an increased area that can display a larger map and more information as applicable. The Sport mode puts the tachometer right in the middle with a shift-up light directly in the driver’s field of vision, as well as the option to display a G-meter or boost gauge.
One Very Special Edition
In addition to the Sport and Performance versions, Nissan will build the Proto Spec – a tribute to the Z Proto that was introduced in 2020. It will feature yellow brake calipers, bronze-colored aluminum wheels, and a special yellow accented Proto Spec interior featuring exclusive suede and cloth door trim with Proto Spec stitching.
The Proto Spec will be limited to just 240 examples in the US. We suggest getting your deposits in as soon as possible if you want to be lucky enough to experience owning and driving the limited edition Proto Spec.