Nissan showcases new production-ready Z
Now in its seventh generation, Nissan’s much-loved Z is ready for another round with design links to its heritage
Nissan unveiled a prototype of the Z back in September 2020, which garnered some high praise from CDN and the wider car media world. Shortly after, we caught up with Shinichiro Irie, program design director of the Z Proto, to get an understanding of the design choices.
Now, Nissan has taken the wraps of the production-ready Z, and we’re pleased to report that not too much has changed.
On the outside, the Z boasts an elongated bonnet that bulges in the middle and stretches out past the front wheels to finish over a wide grille. Two half circle LED strips form the light signature at the front – a nod to the original 240Z. The rear is characterised by the width-wide rectangular shape that houses the linear light signature – another tip to the original model.
This shape also provides the chunky rear shoulders with a starting point. From a sideways glance, the Z’s sloping roof and distinctive character line give it a slick and aggressive feel, while its long bonnet and short overhangs are clearly visible.
The interior is a little less exciting. Nissan says that the cabin of the Z includes “modern tech with a vintage touch,” though our first impression is that it simply appears dated. The square air vents above the embedded touchscreen and the circular ones on the doors could perhaps be more subtle, which would lend the focus to other, more important elements of the interior.
The deep-dish steering wheel, for example, is newly designed, as is the gearstick. The seats have also been crafted with help from those involved in the Nissan GT-R and are enhanced to hold the driver and passenger.
An undeniably cool feature is the three analogue gauges on the top of the dash that display boost, turbo speed and volt. Although possibly defunct due to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel, they certainly add character. There is also a Z Proto Spec edition available that will include yellow accents in the cabin and upgraded seats.