A 400 Horsepower Return to Glory? Nissan Debuts the Twin-Turbo 2023 Z
Today, nearly a year after Nissan showed its “Z Proto,” and nearly 13 years after the outgoing 370Z debuted, Nissan has finally unveiled its highly anticipated new Z Car—officially known as the 2023 Nissan Z.
One glance at the car shows a form that’s nearly identical to the prototype version shown last year, with only the most minor differences in the production version.
Like the prototype, the 2023 Z has the unmistakeable Z profile, with a basic roofline and wheelbase similar to the 370Z but front and rear fascias inspired by classic Z models like the S30 240Z and the Z32 300ZX.
The 2023 Z Engine
In the year since the prototype was shown, the biggest question was what’s going to be under the hood of the next generation Z, and now we know. It's a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 that makes 400hp and 350 pound feet of torque, and it will be standard in all Zs.
Just as important, the twin turbo V6 will be available with a six-speed manual transmission, something that’s increasingly rare today even in dedicated sports cars. A new, nine-speed automatic will also be available.
Interior
The interior is a drastic departure from the plasticky confines of the outgoing Z, featuring both an all-digital instrument display and analog gauges on the dash as a classic Z Car nod.
2023 Z Sport, Performance and Proto Spec
For launch there will be three different grades of the 2023 Z, Sport, Performance and a "Proto Spec" inspired by last year's prototype and limited to just 240 examples.
2023 Nissan Z Pricing
One of the biggest questions about the next generation Z has been its price, and for now Nissan is being quiet about that.
Pricing will be an important, because the new Z will enter a crowded market that includes cars like the Toyota Supra, the the less powerful Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ as well as domestic competitors like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro.
The original 240Z was known for being a performance bargain and during the course of its life the Z bounced around between price ranges—but the potential of 400 horsepower, a manual trans and a lot of heritage could make for lots of interest.
And most of all we are just happy that there’s a new Z at all. Just a couple years ago the ability of Nissan to bring a new sports car to the market seemed questionable, and the 2023 Z could be a welcome return to glory for the popular Japanese brand.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2022.
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