Nissan Z zeitgeist in Sydney

THE countdown is on to the arrival of the all-new twin-turbocharged Nissan Z in Australia; and to mark the occasion, Nissan has gathered a collection of its famed sports coupes in Sydney alongside the special edition and sold-out Z Proto Spec.

Nissan Australia says the ‘family reunion’ celebrated Z models dating back to 1969, noting how far the performance benchmark for the brand had evolved since the Datsun 240Z arrived here over 50 years ago.

When the 240Z launched  it was heralded as a “luxuriously appointed high-performance sportscar” fitted with a six-cylinder engine and more than 100kW of power. Nissan’s latest Z car will almost treble that figure (298kW), while continuing to offer luxury appointments, and a host of technology items that were nothing short of science fiction back in the late 1960s.

Nissan said that it is clear through the progression of models since – from the 240Z to 260Z, from 280ZX to 300ZX, and from the 350Z to 370Z – that each iteration of its iconic sports car has successfully advanced the credentials of the nameplate, while at the same time staying true to its heritage.

“This is a proud moment,” said Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson.

“Few models can claim the performance lineage of the Z, and to be able to celebrate it right here in Australia, on the eve of a new dawn of performance for the brand, is special.

“This might be the first example of the all-new Z we see on local roads, but we’ll soon be seeing many more, with a new era of Z about to begin.”

Priced from $73,300 plus on-road costs – or $22,810 more than the outgoing 370Z – the new Nissan Z will be offered with the option of a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission paired to a potent 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 developing 298kW/475Nm.

As standard, the new Z features a limited slip differential, launch control, rev-matching functionality (manual versions), a heavy-duty clutch (manual versions), aluminium paddle shifters (automatic versions), 19-inch alloy wheels, four-piston front/twin-piston rear disc brakes, leather upholstered sports seats and front and rear spoilers.

Interior equipment includes an 8.0-inch infotainment array with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, a multi-function steering wheel, active noise cancellation and active sound enhancement and a 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster with three distinct modes.

Safety equipment includes Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility suite comprising front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, intelligent cruise control, predictive forward collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and lane departure warning, not to mention the usual array of airbags, traction and stability control systems.

The 2022 Nissan Z will be launched locally from the end of August. Visit GoAuto News again soon for our Australian launch review.