Nissan Z
Nissan’s new Z sports car officially teased in video
Whether you grew up in the 70s, 80s, 90s, or 2000s; odds are at one stage you were a fan of the Nissan Z-car. Much like the Toyota Supra – to a certain degree – the Z car lineage went on to become one of the most iconic sports car ranges of all time.
Fast forward to 2020, and the current Z-car, the 370Z has been on sale for some 11 years, and despite being a great driver's car with a fantastic V6 under the hood; it is really showing its age against younger, more capable rivals. And for the past few years, we have heard rumors about a possible replacement, and now, finally, we might actually have the confirmation we have been lusting for.
Just this week, Nissan dropped a short video, which gave a preview of all upcoming models, listing them from “A to Z”. And this video, gives us our best look at the new Z’s design, even if it was for just a few seconds. It’s clear to see that the new Z-car takes styling cues from the Z’s of yesteryear, and that is something great!
No information has been released about its engine, however, it is suggested that the sports car will use the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 from the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport 400, with an output of 300kw – significantly up from the 245kw produced by the 370Z’s naturally aspirated 3.7-litre V6. It looks likely to retain its rear-wheel driven architecture, as it is highly probable that it will share its platform with the current Infiniti Q60 Coupe.
While the name of the car has yet to be confirmed, it is believed that it will be named the 400Z; as in recent years, Nissan has named their Z-car after how much of horsepower it produces. Time will tell, as the car is slated to be unveiled very late in 2020, with the model going on sale in 2021.
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FAQ
Q: What does the Nissan Z cost in South Africa?
The new Nissan Z starts from around R850,000 in South Africa, making it significantly pricier than the outgoing 370Z but still competitive against rivals like the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4.
Q: Is the Nissan Z worth buying over a Toyota Supra?
The Nissan Z offers better value at R850,000 compared to the Supra's R1,100,000 starting price, plus it delivers that classic Z-car heritage with modern twin-turbo performance producing 300kW.
Q: What engine does the new Nissan Z have?
The new Z packs a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine borrowed from Infiniti's Red Sport models, delivering 300kW and 475Nm of torque, which is a massive jump from the 370Z's naturally aspirated 245kW unit.
Q: How fast is the Nissan Z compared to other sports cars?
With 300kW on tap, the Z should hit 100kph in around 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 250kph, putting it right in the fight with the Toyota Supra and Porsche Cayman.
Q: Should I wait for the new Nissan Z or buy a 370Z now?
Definitely wait for the new Z if you can stretch to R850,000, as the 370Z's 11-year-old platform feels ancient compared to the new car's modern twin-turbo setup and updated interior tech.
Should You Buy It?
The best modern sports car under R900,000 in South Africa is absolutely the new Nissan Z at R850,000. This thing delivers proper Z-car soul with that gorgeous retro-inspired design, plus you get 300kW of twin-turbo fury that'll embarrass plenty of more expensive metal. Sure, it's not the cheapest sports car around, but when you consider the Toyota Supra costs R250,000 more and the BMW Z4 will set you back over R1 million, the Z represents serious value for money. If you've got the budget and want a proper driver's car that looks the business, buy it without hesitation.
