Nissan Z NISMO Rebirth of a Track-Ready Icon from 1970 to 2024

2024 Nissan Z NISMO

Written by Marco Carvajal

The fast and iconic sports sedan Nissan Z-Series began a few decades ago with the 1970 car model year called Nissan Fairlady Z in Japan, and Datsun 240Z in the United States.

The new generation of the Nissan Z represents a big step for Nissan’s legendary sports car, faster, better, more aerodynamic, and with several trim models to choose from with two and four-wheel drive powertrains.

As part of the rebirth of this sports sedan now Nissan is producing the Z Series with a NISMO trim level that can blow your mind with high-end tune-ups and upgrades for maximum performance.

History of the Z-Series and Nissan Datsun in America

The fast 240Z was introduced as a new sports car at the New York Auto Show back in 1969. This sporty race-track-ready model featured a fastback-styled body inspired by European sports cars and performance-ready with a standard strong inline 2.4 liter 6-cylinder engine, advanced instrumentation, and reclining bucket seats at a low price.

In 1971, Nissan and Datsun annual sales reached a record 250,000 car units in the United States, and Nissan established itself with performance cars such as the now-legendary Datsun 510 and 240Z that today we know as the Nissan Z.

As the brand popularity increased by 1973 the 1-Millionth Nissan/Datsun Vehicle was sold in America.

In 1979, Nissan Design America (NDA) was established in La Jolla, California, creating American style and Americanized concepts into Nissan vehicles, with models like the Altima, Pathfinder, Pulsar NX, and Xterra, among other Nissan models.

In 1986 Dasun was phased out and became just Nissan as we know it today.

Z NISMO

The first NISMO-branded model was a 1987, a rare and super fast R34-generation Skyline GT-R. Then the second NISMO car came to the market in 1990 with the Skyline GT-R NISMO.

Today the Z NISMO is a reality and is a dream come true for race track enthusiasts who want to own a sedan track ready that they can use every day too.

The new Z-Series was the result of 3 years of research and design to create a modern-styled, two-seater 6-cylinder coupe for the U.S. market, but as Nissan upgrades to the NISMO trim then this sedan takes everything the Z has to the best possible high level of performance.

NISMO models are well-known by race car enthusiasts. The fast Z NISMO model was created to thrill with fast speed, performance, and driving action ready for the racetrack. The Z NISMO is the top trim on the Nissan Z-Series with more features and speed than any other Z car.

NISMO is the result of the ultimate Nissan performance, inspired by the the race track.

The name comes from Nissan Motorsports, NISMO. Formed by an elite group of engineers and test drivers who have worked, driven, and won on every level take select Nissan vehicles, and create NISMO race cars.

The new Z-Series is already a performance car model, but Nissan decided to elevate its power with the top-of-the-line NISMO trim model, taking an already fast and powerful car to the highest level with the work of the best engineers and designers that work with Nissan’s NISMO performance cars.

The new Z NISMO is more modern and comfortable than the previous model. The Z Series’s top trim version has the speed, precision, and driver engagement the most demanding drivers will enjoy.

The new and most powerful 2024 Z is a great achievement, but the NISMO division wants to go further with the Z NISMO Tuned features. They studied, tuned, and developed key performance aspects to create the ultimate Z NISMO and you can buy it and use as your everyday car too.

Z-Series Trims

The 2024 Z-Series is available with a manual or automatic transmission in a few trims with an MSRP price range from $42,970 for the base Sport trim up to $65,750 for the NISMO trim that I am test driving.

The three main trim models, Z Performance, Z Sport, and Z Heritage are available in both 6-speed manual transmission and automatic transmissions. Then the top of the line Z NISMO is only available with automatic transmission.

The new Nissan Z NISMO includes a retro red tachometer face, a long NISMO tradition and a symbol of passion for performance in honor of the iconic NISMO original rare cars.

The newest generation Nissan Z is a big step forward for the brand’s legendary sports car. The new Z is more modern and comfortable than the previous model. Redesigned on a heavily revised version of its predecessor’s architecture.

Nissan Z Nismo Highlights

NISMO-tuned 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine
NISMO/Akebono 4-piston front calipers with 15″ rotors
NISMO-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission with a shortened clutch strike for quicker shift response
Unique Sport+ Drive Mode, developed for track use
Z NISMO Trim Starting at MSR $65,750
The most powerful Z-Series ever
Aerodynamic body design
NISMO-tuned engine
NISMO-tuned suspension
NISMO 19″ RAYS forged-alloy wheels
Recaro seats
420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque
Ignition timing control borrowed from the GT‑R
Performance and NISMO trim grades add Amazon Alexa Built-in connectivity

The front image of the new Z sedan includes a unique honeycomb grille that enhances engine cooling and directs air to help cool the brakes.

The redesigned front lip, canard wing vortex generators, and a flat underbody panel help provide additional downforce.

Aerodynamic tools that help reduce drag and increase downforce include wider sill side spoilers, air splitters on the rear bumper sides, and a unique rear spoiler.

2024 Nissan Z NISMO Performance & Handling

Engineered to dominate road and track, starting with the capable Z, engineers focused on refining key performance elements to create a fantastic Z with the NISMO badge. The result is a vehicle with greater response and precision, making it a thrill to drive on the street while also creating a more capable and focused machine on the track with great aerodynamics and precise driving experience.

NISMO engineers focus on enhancing performance, from the 420-horsepower, twin-turbo V6 to the aerodynamic learnings gained from the successful GT500 race car, to create the fastest Z, the Z NISMO.

The new Z NISMO features a unique Alcantara-style appointed cockpit inspired by racing fashion. Connecting you to the Z NISMO driving experience is a true retro cockpit featuring leather-appointed Recaro sport seats and a thick steering wheel with an Alcantara trim that looks sporty and premium.

To continue enhancing performance, the unique honeycomb grille enhances engine cooling and directs air to help cool the brakes. A redesigned front lip, canard wing vortex generators, and a flat underbody panel help provide downforce for better performance.

Precise and Responsive 420 HP and 384 Torque

Engine

For a small sport sedan, the Twin-turbo V6 capable of 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque is huge. NISMO engineers have been able to create a quicker response and maintain a linear power flow with a thrilling rush to the redline on the track.

Transmission

A NISMO-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission features a quicker shift response and enhanced cooling to reach fast speeds faster.

NISMO-tuned 9-speed automatic transmission with a shortened clutch strike for quicker shift response and added clutch plates to help reduce internal heat.

Compared to the transmission in other Z trim models, the clutch pack has been altered allowing for faster shifting. With newly revised engine management software, Z NISMO’s transmission has reduced downshift time by almost half, compared to Z Performance trim model. Launch control also delivers more aggressive standing-start acceleration, everything focusing on speed and performance.

Sport+ Drive Mode

The unique Sport+ drive mode is only available on the NISMO Z trim models, and it produces up to 50% quicker downshifts and advanced quicker in-gear throttle response.

It has been developed for track use, using a special logic to hold a lower gear for greater torque and response when needed, and it offers 50% quicker shifts than other Z trims, resulting in the fastest Z car available in the history of Nissan.

Upgraded Z NISMO

The list of upgrades is almost endless to list, but some of the highlights are an upgraded NISMO-tuned Suspension added to the NISMO Z car model, featuring larger-diameter shocks and higher spring rates to help provide faster response and control.

Knowledge and technology from the development of the GT-R supercar were applied to create unique Dunlop performance tires that can make the most of the enhancements to the suspension and braking.

Enhanced Braking with Akebono Performance Brakes. The new NISMO Z features unique super-rigid front calipers with larger 15″ front rotors and a special brake pad material, ready to go through dangerous times on the race track.

RAYS Forged-alloy wheels with better grip and response thanks to the wider-width, 19-inch, lightweight RAYS forged-alloy wheels wrapped in special Dunlop tires.

Some of the competitors of the Nissan Z are the Toyota GR Supra, Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ.