Cue the Tokyo Drift music…
The 2024 Nissan Z Nismo seems to be straight out of a Quick and Livid film, and that’s with none aftermarket mods. It additionally seems to be like it will be proper at house parked up on the Daikoku Automobile Meet in Japan.
It’s particular, and it’s not like the usual Z Coupe was pedestrian by any means.
The racy bodykit, Nismo purple pinstripes, Rays cast alloy wheels, and Slate Gray paint unique to this mannequin all come collectively to make it appear to be one thing very distinctive and excessive finish – belief me, you’ll get seems to be of admiration on the street.
That’s earlier than you look inside, which has been given the tuning arm’s therapy with extra purple accents, Recaro bucket seats and swathes of Alcantara trim. Whereas these are issues that lots of automobile manufacturers supply, there’s one thing distinctly Japanese concerning the execution of all of it.
At $94,000 earlier than on-road prices or greater than $100,000 in your driveway, you’ll hope this factor feels particular. Particularly when it instructions a $20,000 premium over the ‘customary’ Z.
Is that this six-figure Nissan sports activities coupe definitely worth the cash? Or are you higher off taking a look at one thing European… or one thing in between just like the Toyota Supra?
How does the Nissan Z examine?
View an in depth breakdown of the Nissan Z in opposition to equally sized autos.
Nissan
Nissan Z
How a lot does the Nissan Z price?
The Z Nismo instructions a near-$20,000 premium over the usual Z Coupe.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2024 Nissan Z 6MT | $75,800 |
| 2024 Nissan Z 9AT | $75,800 |
| 2024 Nissan Z Nismo 9AT | $94,000 |
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
What’s the Nissan Z like on the within?
Very black, with pops of purple…
The identical primary design and structure of the brand new Z stays, which is a really heavy revision of the 370Z predating it.
From the second you slide into the Recaro-branded leather-based and Alcantara buckets and put your palms on the wheel, which additionally sports activities a purple 12 o’clock market, you recognize that is no atypical Z.
The black cabin is contrasted with flashes of purple within the seats, top-stitching, and among the switchgear. They’re delicate however good additions that assist to make the cabin really feel centered and purposeful with out being cheesy, at the least in my view.
Different distinguishing options embrace a Nismo-branded instrument cluster, however in any other case it’s the identical bones because the Z, proper all the way down to the fiddly shift-by-wire selector and the very old-looking handbook parking brake.
Would I say this looks like the inside of a $100,000 automobile? Undecided, particularly when there are components of the previous 370Z within the door playing cards and switchgear – the Toyota Supra’s BMW-sourced parts really feel extra high-end.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster will get some distinctive thrives of Nismo branding, with a barely totally different pores and skin within the sports activities setting in comparison with the common Z. You additionally get shift mild bars on the high of the show, which is a racy inclusion.
The gloss black multifunction buttons on the steering wheel don’t really feel fairly as good, and the smudgy floor taints the feel and appear of the basic steering wheel design. In equity, that would all be down to private choice.
Whereas I’m at it, I’ve to knock Nissan for less than supplying the Z with its primary 8.0-inch central touchscreen sans wi-fi smartphone mirroring and navigation. C’mon, this can be a $100,000 flagship sports activities automobile and it’s bought the infotainment unit out of a base Qashqai…
Apple CarPlay labored high quality utilizing the wired connection, and fortunately there’s USB-A and USB-C ports relying in your most popular enter or the default provided along with your telephone – my iPhone 15 Professional Max comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable which poses points when solely USB-A is out there.
There’s in any other case not a lot else to report on the infotainment unit, maybe apart from the actual fact it’s hooked as much as a fairly beefy eight-speaker Bose sound system that provides deep and clear sound in my expertise.
Being a sports activities coupe it doesn’t have to be significantly spacious or ethereal within the cabin; if something consumers would like the alternative. That mentioned at 6’1 I might comfortably get into my seat with out feeling like I used to be about to whack my head on the headliner or rub shoulders with my passenger.
The attractive Recaro buckets lose electrical adjustment however have a number of methods of handbook adjustment to search out the proper driving place. I just like the vary of adjustment obtainable within the base cushion, that means I might dial in quantity of assist for my lengthy legs.
Behind the bucket seats is similar 241-litre boot which is fairly shallow however has room for some smooth sports activities or journey luggage; or a small suitcase at a squeeze.
The large strut brace and peculiar arch intrusion additionally eat into the cargo space, and there’s no spare wheel below the boot ground – only a tyre restore package.
| Dimensions | Nissan Z Nismo Coupe |
|---|---|
| Size | 4400mm |
| Width | 1870mm |
| Peak | 1315mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550mm |
| Cargo capability | 241 litres (VDA) |
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
What’s below the bonnet?
The Z Nismo will get a beefier tune of the Z’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, including 11kW and 45Nm.
That is achieved by way of improved cooling; a revised digital wastegate management which supplies elevated turbocharger enhance and turbine pace; in addition to incorporating GT-R Nismo-inspired impartial ignition spark timing.
Different highlights embrace an enhanced oil cooler for prolonged observe efficiency; launch management; and a brand new Sport+ drive mode.
| Specs | Nissan Z Nismo |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L V6 twin-turbo |
| Energy | 309kW @ 6400rpm |
| Torque | 520Nm @ 2000-5200rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed auto with paddles |
| Pushed wheels | Rear |
| Weight | 1679kg (kerb) |
| Gasoline economic system (claimed) | 10.4L/100km |
| Gasoline economic system (as examined) | 10.9L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 62 litres |
| Gasoline requirement | 98 RON |
| CO2 emissions | 242g/km |
| Emissions customary | Euro 5 |
It’s price noting my consumption determine was achieved over per week of driving which included peak-hour commuting in addition to a extra prolonged freeway stint out to the Victorian hills with spirited B-road squirts.
Nonetheless, it’s spectacular that I practically managed to match the marketed declare with out actually attempting.
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
How does the Nissan Z drive?
To be trustworthy I by no means liked how the usual Z drove, so I wasn’t certain how a lot the Nismo would change my thoughts.
Whereas I didn’t significantly love how the six-speed handbook in the usual Z felt, I assumed it was a disgrace that the stick shift hasn’t made the lower for the Nismo glow-up. That mentioned, the auto was at all times my choose of the Z transmissions, and within the Nismo it’s largely as much as process.
I spent the perfect a part of per week driving the Z Nismo, from the day by day commute to and from the workplace to a weekend blast via the Victorian hills. We didn’t take it on observe, in order that’ll have to attend for subsequent time.
Let’s begin with the enjoyable stuff.
My dynamic drive consisted of a run out to Healesville out east of Melbourne, heading via the Toolangi forest which consists of on the winding Myers Creek Rd. It’s a incredible stretch of tarmac with highway rally ranges of technical corners, with mixture of circumstances to place a automobile just like the Nismo via its paces.
I used to be initially cautious of the Z’s torquey twin-turbo outputs going solely to the rear axle, however with the sticky Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres the Nismo was surprisingly certain footed and grippy regardless of some patches of highway being slightly damp – it’s a ‘rainforest’ for a motive.
Flicking into Sport and Sport+, the Z Nismo pipes in additional engine noise by way of the audio system (together with pretend pops and overrun sounds which had been surprisingly convincing), and tightens throttle and steering response as you’d count on.
The nine-speed auto will maintain onto gears longer and downshift earlier, or you’ll be able to flick into handbook mode and take management by way of the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
In handbook mode the auto is fairly snappy and affords respectable engagement, however the plastic paddles aren’t fairly as tactile because the models you’ll discover in different automobiles. It’s a disgrace Nissan didn’t put money into some aluminium paddles or related so as to add that further edge.
The place the previous 370Z typically felt prefer it had obscure steering to the purpose of virtually being boaty with its lengthy nostril, the brand new Z feels noticeably sharper and extra dialled in by comparability.
It turns in properly and as you progressively pile on throttle it’ll shoot you out of corners with 520Nm of torque, which is on faucet from simply 2000rpm. Nissan doesn’t formally quote a 0-100km/h time, however I reckon even the usual Z is well within the mid-4.0-second realm with launch.
You possibly can simply pile on pace on this factor rapidly, that means it could possibly at occasions really feel slightly shackled on Australia’s closely policed public roads. I look ahead to in the future unleashing the Nismo on a circuit to see what it could possibly actually do.
The beefier brakes additionally assist to tame that added tempo, with good stopping energy and a assured pedal really feel.
Whereas I reward the Nismo for its improved really feel and sharpness over the usual mannequin, it nonetheless doesn’t really feel fairly as nimble or athletic because the Toyota GR Supra.
Bear in mind the auto-equipped Supra GTS is over 150kg lighter than the Nismo, which little doubt performs into its extra dynamic and light-on-feet really feel in comparison with the Nissan. This probably cancels out the Nismo’s energy benefit, too.
I used to be left wanting extra from the sound expertise too. Whereas there’s a noticeable amplification of the augmented sound design within the Sport and Sport+ modes, the Nissan lacks correct bark to match its chunk.
Driving it usually on the town you get that brassy V6 be aware because the revs climb in the event you maintain gears, however in any other case it doesn’t sound all that totally different from any of Nissan’s different V6 passenger automobiles – particularly for onlookers on the skin.
It’s a contact heavy in really feel and agency in journey in on a regular basis driving, which is to be anticipated in one thing being pitched as a observe day warrior however price noting in the event you plan to make use of this as a day by day. You often get a jolt or clunk via the transmission at low speeds between first and second in the event you abruptly elevate off or shift.
Get on rougher sections of freeway and people sticky Dunlop tyres additionally rustle up loads of highway noise. Driving to and from Melbourne CBD on the at present patchy Jap Freeway positively bought fairly droney.
Regardless of the actual fact the brand new Z is a closely revised and reskinned model of the previous 370Z, Nissan has executed properly to include a few of its newer driver help applied sciences into the Z, and by extension the Nismo.
Customary adaptive cruise management helps to take the load off prolonged freeway stints and heavy visitors. In apply, it labored high quality.
Lane departure warning alerts you in the event you drift over the strains however there’s no energetic help, and the Z’s customary blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings are useful given the chunky rear pillars and pumped haunches.
It’s a disgrace there’s no encompass parking cameras although there are entrance and rear sensors to bolster the reversing digicam and rear cross-traffic alert when parking (or exiting parks). Rounding out the protection suite are drive consideration monitoring and visitors signal recognition.
What do you get?
The Nismo provides some selection efficiency tools over the usual mannequin.
Nissan Z customary tools:
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- Launch management
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Tyre stress monitoring
- Computerized LED headlights
- Computerized high-beam
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- 1 x USB-A outlet
- 1 x USB-C outlet
- 8-speaker Bose sound system
- Heated seats
- 4-way power-adjustable entrance seats
- Leather-based-accented upholstery
- Leather-based-wrapped steering wheel
- Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
- Lively Noise Management
- Lively Sound Enhancement
Nissan Z Nismo provides:
- Nismo exterior and inside styling enhancements
- Bigger entrance brake rotors (+25mm)
- Gloss black Rays 19-inch wheels
- Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tyres
- Enhanced engine cooling
- Sport+ drive mode
- Nismo-tuned Launch Management
- Nismo-tuned Lively Sound Management
- Nismo leather-based and Alcantara Recaro seats
- Removes heating
- Removes energy adjustment
- Leather-based and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel
Is the Nissan Z protected?
The Nissan Z hasn’t been examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Customary security tools contains:
- AEB with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver consideration alert
- Visitors signal recognition
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
How a lot does the Nissan Z price to run?
Like the broader Nissan vary, the Z Nismo is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Operating prices | MAKE MODEL VARIANT |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000 kilometres |
| Capped value servicing | As much as 5 years (Pre-Paid Upkeep Plan) |
| Whole capped value service price | $2552 (5 years) |
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, take a look at our comparability software.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Z
The Z Nismo is unquestionably one thing particular, nevertheless it’s additionally removed from good.
It has that kind of old-school Japanese character that completely caters to the goal market, and has significant upgrades to make it a extra well-rounded and centered providing than the usual Z.
Personally, I believe it seems to be attractive. A few occasions I had parked it up and as I couldn’t assist however admire it as I seemed again.
In our tester’s Slate Gray end it seems to be costly standing nonetheless, and will simply be confused for a sports activities coupe from a extra premium model.
It’s additionally very fast, and fairly enjoyable to punt up a winding B-road. Is it the sharpest software? Perhaps not, however there’s allure to its flaws and the actual fact you need to learn to drive this rapidly – like going up the degrees in Gran Turismo.
My greatest gripes are the 370Z-sourced inside components, primary infotainment and lack of sound for a flagship sports activities automobile costing six figures. That mentioned the GT-R has been a cult hero proper up till the tip of its life and it had an excellent older tech suite.
I additionally want the Z Nismo had a short-shifting six-speed handbook possibility or a snappier dual-clutch auto which might solely heighten the enjoyable, and whereas I like the understated aggression of the Nismo upgrades I can’t assist however suppose a correct GT3 or GT4-style observe pack might actually take this to a different stage.
It additionally doesn’t sound significantly good until you’ve got it in Sport+ and handbook mode engaged. Even then, it’s synthesised so what you’re getting within the cabin isn’t what onlookers are listening to from the skin.
So must you purchase one? $100,000 will get you into lots of very succesful sports activities coupes, together with all the pieces from the GR Supra to the V8-engined Ford Mustang GT. I don’t suppose the Z is objectively higher than both of these automobiles, however I don’t suppose you’d be upset in the event you in the future have one parked in your driveway.
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