Nissan’s Next Zs Promise New Levels of Performance and Enthusiast Appeal

Between a newly available NISMO manual transmission and some choice visual updates as part of a Z-wide facelift, Nissan has already made a few long-deserved changes to its beloved sports car over the past year.

Nevertheless, it seems that some of the automaker’s most radical ideas for the Z may be on the horizon. In light of the model’s current sales success, the brand recently confirmed the potential not just for more power, but also for new exciting enthusiast-grade variants. 

Nissan

Far from the power ceiling

Word comes courtesy of Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer of Nissan North America.

Speaking during a podcast appearance with The Drive, he stated that “I do see performance upgrades in the future of the Z, that twin turbo is capable of a lot more power and output that are compatible obviously with the latest emissions.”

Nissan

While Pandikuthira was careful not to concede concrete numbers during the talk, he did acknowledge how well-explored the engine is on the aftermarket. With some tuners pushing over 700 at the rear wheels, something in the range of 500 horsepower is readily and reliably attainable. 

After all, the NISMO version is already putting down some 420 horses compared to the base model’s 400, so it’s not like it’s much more to expect from the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6.

Nissan

Especially because Nissan now has plenty of options. On the policy front, the current emissions regulations open the door for much more aggressive street tunes, regardless of what’s going on at the tailpipe.

And that’s assuming the VR30DDTT remains the best path forward for more power. With the Track Spec concept, for instance, Infiniti pushed the larger VR35DDTT from 450 to 650 horsepower. (And let’s not forget the mammoth 1,000-pony output of the R-Spec.)

Infiniti

More special variations possible

Even if output isn’t where you think the Z is lacking, there’s still plenty of cause to keep an eye on what Nissan has brewing. Beyond powertrain tunability, Ponz Pandikuthira also spoke to the other ways he hopes the badge will grow in significance. 

Namely, it seems, by reconnecting with the model’s past in the form of retro-inspired and enthusiast-focused variations. As part of an effort to expand the Z’s enthusiast appeal, Pandikuthira also stated that “I do see performance versions coming out, special limited series.”

Nissan

It’s for good reason, as it’s a strategy that caters to nostalgia of the model’s primary buying demographic. In his talk, the Nissan exec revealed that “there are a lot of people who lusted after this car when they were teenagers and maybe in their 20s… we’re seeing a lot of older buyers coming and buying this car, as a trophy car, a retirement car.”

At minimum, then, this should mean more runs of eye-catching vehicles along the lines of the eye-catching Heritage Edition. From the paint and the graphics to the wheels and the spoiler, the car packed tons of historical brand influence aimed at devoted Z aficionados.

Nissan

Assuming everything goes according to plan, though, it could also result in the return of the model’s open-air appeal. Nissan didn’t build a convertible version of its first Z cars, but the 300ZX, 350Z and 370Z have all offered buyers the option of a droptop.

The possibility of more support for the Z ultimately depends on the success of Nissan’s comeback efforts, but the brand is leading an aggressive pivot. From the teased Xterra revival and the Terrano concept to talk of a new Silvia, there’s a clear effort to deliver more enthusiast appeal. 

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