Cue the Tokyo Drift music…
The 2024 Nissan Z Nismo seems straight out of a Quick and Livid film, and that’s with none aftermarket mods. It additionally seems like it could be proper at dwelling 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 crimson pinstripes, Rays solid alloy wheels, and Slate Gray paint unique to this mannequin all come collectively to make it appear like one thing very distinctive and excessive finish – belief me, you’ll get seems of admiration on the street.
That’s earlier than you look inside, which has been given the tuning arm’s remedy with extra crimson accents, Recaro bucket seats and swathes of Alcantara trim. Whereas these are issues that loads of automotive manufacturers provide, 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’d hope this factor feels particular. Particularly when it instructions a $20,000 premium over the ‘normal’ 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 evaluate?
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 value?
The Z Nismo instructions a near-$20,000 premium over the usual Z Coupe.
| Mannequin | Worth 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, try our comparability device.
What’s the Nissan Z like on the within?
Very black, with pops of crimson…
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 fingers on the wheel, which additionally sports activities a crimson 12 o’clock market, you realize that is no extraordinary Z.
The black cabin is contrasted with flashes of crimson within the seats, top-stitching, and a few of the switchgear. They’re refined however good additions that assist to make the cabin really feel targeted and purposeful with out being cheesy, a minimum of in my view.
Different distinguishing options embody a Nismo-branded instrument cluster, however in any other case it’s the identical bones because the Z, proper right down to the fiddly shift-by-wire selector and the very old-looking guide parking brake.
Would I say this seems like the inside of a $100,000 automotive? Undecided, particularly when there are parts of the outdated 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 completely different pores and skin within the sports activities setting in comparison with the common Z. You additionally get shift mild bars on the prime 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 traditional steering wheel design. In equity, that would all be down to non-public 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, it is a $100,000 flagship sports activities automotive and it’s received the infotainment unit out of a base Qashqai…
Apple CarPlay labored positive utilizing the wired connection, and fortunately there’s USB-A and USB-C ports relying in your most well-liked enter or the default provided together 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 accessible.
There’s in any other case not a lot else to report on the infotainment unit, maybe aside 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 should 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 horny Recaro buckets lose electrical adjustment however have a number of methods of guide adjustment to seek out the fitting driving place. I just like the vary of adjustment out there within the base cushion, which means I might dial in an excellent quantity of help for my lengthy legs.
Behind the bucket seats is identical 241-litre boot which is fairly shallow however has room for some tender sports activities or journey baggage; or a small suitcase at a squeeze.
The massive strut brace and bizarre arch intrusion additionally eat into the cargo space, and there’s no spare wheel underneath the boot ground – only a tyre restore package.
| Dimensions | Nissan Z Nismo Coupe |
|---|---|
| Size | 4400mm |
| Width | 1870mm |
| Top | 1315mm |
| Wheelbase | 2550mm |
| Cargo capability | 241 litres (VDA) |
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
What’s underneath 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 through improved cooling; a revised digital wastegate management which gives elevated turbocharger increase and turbine pace; in addition to incorporating GT-R Nismo-inspired unbiased ignition spark timing.
Different highlights embody an enhanced oil cooler for prolonged monitor 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 normal | Euro 5 |
It’s value 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 almost managed to match the marketed declare with out actually making an attempt.
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
How does the Nissan Z drive?
To be sincere I by no means liked how the usual Z drove, so I wasn’t positive how a lot the Nismo would change my thoughts.
Whereas I didn’t significantly love how the six-speed guide 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 decide of the Z transmissions, and within the Nismo it’s largely as much as job.
I spent the most effective a part of per week driving the Z Nismo, from the each day commute to and from the workplace to a weekend blast via the Victorian hills. We didn’t take it on monitor, 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 implausible stretch of tarmac with highway rally ranges of technical corners, with an excellent mixture of circumstances to place a automotive just like the Nismo via its paces.
I used to be initially cautious of the Z’s torquey twin-turbo outputs going completely to the rear axle, however with the sticky Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres the Nismo was surprisingly positive footed and grippy regardless of some patches of highway being a bit of damp – it’s a ‘rainforest’ for a cause.
Flicking into Sport and Sport+, the Z Nismo pipes in additional engine noise through the audio system (together with pretend pops and overrun sounds which had been surprisingly convincing), and tightens throttle and steering response as you’d anticipate.
The nine-speed auto will maintain onto gears longer and downshift earlier, or you’ll be able to flick into guide mode and take management through the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
In guide mode the auto is fairly snappy and gives first rate engagement, however the plastic paddles aren’t fairly as tactile because the models you’ll discover in different vehicles. 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 outdated 370Z usually felt prefer it had imprecise 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 an excellent launch.
You’ll be able to simply pile on pace on this factor shortly, which means it could actually at instances really feel a bit of shackled on Australia’s closely policed public roads. I look ahead to at some point unleashing the Nismo on a circuit to see what it could actually 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.
Take note the auto-equipped Supra GTS is over 150kg lighter than the Nismo, which little question performs into its extra dynamic and light-on-feet really feel in comparison with the Nissan. This seemingly 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 observe because the revs climb for those who maintain gears, however in any other case it doesn’t sound all that completely different from any of Nissan’s different V6 passenger vehicles – particularly for onlookers on the surface.
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 monitor day warrior however value noting for those who plan to make use of this as a each day. You sometimes get a jolt or clunk via the transmission at low speeds between first and second for those who all of a sudden 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 presently patchy Japanese Freeway undoubtedly received fairly droney.
Regardless of the actual fact the brand new Z is a closely revised and reskinned model of the outdated 370Z, Nissan has finished effectively to include a few of its newer driver help applied sciences into the Z, and by extension the Nismo.
Commonplace adaptive cruise management helps to take the load off prolonged freeway stints and heavy site visitors. In observe, it labored positive.
Lane departure warning alerts you for those who drift over the strains however there’s no lively help, and the Z’s normal blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings are helpful 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 security suite are drive consideration monitoring and site visitors signal recognition.
What do you get?
The Nismo provides some selection efficiency tools over the usual mannequin.
Nissan Z normal tools:
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- Launch management
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Tyre strain monitoring
- Automated LED headlights
- Automated 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
- Energetic Noise Management
- Energetic 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 Energetic 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 secure?
The Nissan Z hasn’t been examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Commonplace security tools consists of:
- AEB with pedestrian detection
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Driver consideration alert
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
How a lot does the Nissan Z value to run?
Like the broader Nissan vary, the Z Nismo is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
| Working prices | MAKE MODEL VARIANT |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000 kilometres |
| Capped worth servicing | As much as 5 years (Pre-Paid Upkeep Plan) |
| Complete capped worth service value | $2552 (5 years) |
To see how the Nissan Z strains up in opposition to the competitors, try our comparability device.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Z
The Z Nismo is certainly one thing particular, but it surely’s additionally removed from good.
It has that form of old-school Japanese character that completely caters to the goal market, and has significant upgrades to make it a extra well-rounded and targeted providing than the usual Z.
Personally, I believe it seems attractive. A few instances I had parked it up and as I couldn’t assist however admire it as I appeared again.
In our tester’s Slate Gray end it seems 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 device? Possibly not, however there’s allure to its flaws and the actual fact it’s important to learn to drive this shortly – like going up the degrees in Gran Turismo.
My largest gripes are the 370Z-sourced inside parts, primary infotainment and lack of sound for a flagship sports activities automotive costing six figures. That mentioned the GT-R has been a cult hero proper up till the top of its life and it had a good older tech suite.
I additionally want the Z Nismo had a short-shifting six-speed guide possibility or a snappier dual-clutch auto which might solely heighten the enjoyable, and whereas I really like the understated aggression of the Nismo upgrades I can’t assist however suppose a correct GT3 or GT4-style monitor pack might actually take this to a different stage.
It additionally doesn’t sound significantly good except you will have it in Sport+ and guide mode engaged. Even then, it’s synthesised so what you’re getting within the cabin isn’t what onlookers are listening to from the surface.
So do you have to purchase one? $100,000 will get you into loads 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 vehicles, however I don’t suppose you’d be disenchanted for those who at some point have one parked in your driveway.
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