Nissan has kept its "400Z" embroidered cards close to the chest, revealing nothing except a few pictures of the car's exterior and interior. News outlets have resorted to adopting anonymous testimony from enthusiast forums for inside information. A few details that most sources agree on are that the "Nissan 400Z" will actually be called simply the "Nissan Z," and it'll share the same platform as the 370Z.
How safe it's going to be, or how well it'll perform with its hefty curb weight won't be known for a while. Here are some other features that can be expected of the new Nissan Z, when it debuts supposedly next year.
10 Twin Turbo V6
Every trim level of the Nissan Z is expected to use the VR30DDTT, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 under the hood, belting to the tune of 400 horsepower. This engine was first released in 2016 for the Infiniti Q50. Nissan's VR30DDTT uses an aluminum block and cylinder heads, variable valve timing, and direct injection.
According to a leak from the Nissan Z Club forum, there will be a Nismo version but it's not clear yet what it's going to include, but apparently prospective owners waiting in the wings can expect more than a body kit and exhaust tune.
9 Manual Transmission
Rumors circulated regarding Nissan's consideration of taking a leaf from Toyota's playbook and making its Z with only an automatic. Nissan eventually thought better of it, and now supposedly are offering a six-speed manual transmission as standard, with the option of a semi-automatic gearbox.
Manual transmissions appear to be phasing out, as high horsepower cars demand quicker shifts, which are fastest with an automatic. While that's true with thoroughbred racing cars, the Z may appeal more as a driver's weekend car, something to whisk around corners on mountain passes.
8 Mercedes Automatic Transmission
While an automatic transmission isn't universally ideal in a sports car bred into the Z car family, the new Z's automatic doesn't seem like a bad option. It's a transmission built by Mercedes-Benz with nine speeds, which may sound excessive but at least it makes the car economical if that's the Z driver's goal. The transmission is made out of aluminum and is therefore relatively lightweight, and uses an extended gear ratio allowing the car to go fast while keeping the engine revs low.
7 Retro Style
It's a blast from the 1970s when the new Z strikes a pose. The slightly exaggerated front grill only serves to acclimate the car to its newfound era, while the contours come up from the front to the top of the doors and level out all the way to the taillights. The rear end doesn't stick up and out like a 370, it allows the roof to go all the way back with no interruptions offering a much sleeker look. As a whole, the car looks smaller, albeit less bulky, which is something only Japanese sports cars have been able to do lately.
6 Performance Braking
Nissan appears to be releasing three trims for the Z. The base Zs will come with Akebono brake pads, which are well known for having effective stopping power while not making too much noise. Sport and possibly Nismo trims will come with Brembo brake pads.
Either way, the car will be equipped with fixed brake calipers, which apply braking force from both sides of the rotor. Previous generations of the Z platform used floating calipers, which only apply pressure to one side of the rotor.
5 Digital Instruments
Another thing multiple sources agree on is how the Z is moving into the 21st century with digital instruments. Interior pictures of the Z prototype depict what the gauges will look like, and that's what owners and enthusiasts can expect.
Drivers won't be able to miss the giant tachometer, staring them in the face with that bright 7,000 RPM redline. A boost gauge joins the left side of the rev counter, while oil and water temperature gauges sit on the right, providing comprehensive readouts of the car's current condition.
4 Affordability
Early rumors place this car around the $35,000 range, which if everything reported is true, is a good deal. A Mustang GT MSRPs for a bit more, but only makes about 60 more horsepower and is significantly heavier. A Mazda MX-5 starts at around $26,800, but only has 181 horsepower and is sold exclusively as a convertible.
Price per horsepower is much better with the Z, so as a sports car it appears that the Z is the better choice, despite its heftier price tag. Some simple math puts the MX-5 at about $148 per horsepower, where the Z clocks in closer to $88.
3 Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Newer car owners know the sheer convenience that oozes from interior amenities like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Used car owners may know how expensive it is to retrofit these features. Nissan is expected to release these as standard features in its new Z.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow the driver to sync their smartphone's interface with their car. Using GPS, music apps, sending a text, or even making a phone call can all be done through the phone's interface displayed on the car's screen.
2 Three Trim Levels
Very little, if anything, is known for sure about the Z's various trim levels. Besides different brake pads, the car is reportedly much stronger with additional aluminum, bracing, and carbon fiber.
That said, it appears Nissan has graduated from the previous trim levels. The 370's "Sport" level trim has been reassigned as the base for the new Z, while the previous Nismo trim is now the Sport level. According to the leak, Nissan's new base Z should come with thicker sway bars and forged wheels.
1 Modern Safety Features
While Nissan has yet to announce it, future customers can more than likely expect a few safety features that have become standard on other cars. The Z is expected to come equipped with a rearview camera, electronic stability control, and automatic emergency braking on models with automatic transmissions.
The jury is still out on whether or not Nissan will include its ProPilot Assist, which includes Intelligent Cruise Control, Steering Assist, and Speed Adjust by Route, which adjusts the car's speed based on driving circumstance.