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Z Marks The Spot: Nissan Refreshes Their Iconic Sports Car for 2023

Photo Credit: Nissan Canada


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The charm of an affordable sports car is a timeless, enticing way for drivers to experience the truest thrill of motion. During the 1960s and into the 1970s, the appetite for fun-to-drive performance vehicles led to the creation of the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro as well as the popularity of small British sports cars such as the MGB. Nissan seeking to expand their reach as an automobile company globally under the Datsun brand realized the importance of stimulating sales was by offering an attractive, exciting sports car. Debuting in October 1969 as the Fairlady 240Z, the sports car was mercifully recognized in North America as the 240Z thanks to the then-president of United States operations Yutaka Katayama taking proactive measures to remove vehicle’s badging before being sent to dealers. Since the 1970 model year Z sports cars, Nissan had an iconic symbol of accessible performance that was recently reflected with the 370Z. Nissan officially unveils the next chapter for the popular Z brand for the 2023 model year as a stunning, new machine with classic sports car virtues.


To be known simply as the Z in the United States and Canada, Nissan’s latest sports car is a refreshing sight as a gasoline-powered legacy continues for another generation. With the design and several features expressed through the Nissan Z Proto show car last September, the 2023 Nissan Z production car is a balance between eras of performance. “Ultimately, we decided the Z Proto should travel between the decades, including the future” said the head of design at Nissan Alfonso Albaisa describing the form of the prototype last year.


Photo Credit: Nissan Canada



A near-exact replication of the Z Proto exterior, the 2023 Nissan Z features a coupe profile that harkens back to the original 1970 sports car measuring a total length of 4,380 millimeters (172.44 inches). A long hood shape and a dropped rear edge are notable details incorporated with the new low-slung vehicle. After retro-themed touch is the LED headlights that are inspired by the 240ZG (a Japan-only variant of the Nissan sports car). For the rear, Nissan designers re-imagined the taillights of the 300ZX with a black section running between the two LED lighting assemblies.


Photo Credit: Nissan Canada



Another callback to the Nissan 300ZX attached to the 2023 Nissan Z comes with a twin-turbocharged powerplant. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine produces a potent 400 horsepower (50 horsepower greater than the outgoing NISMO 370Z) and 350 lb-ft of torque at 5,600 rpms. This aluminum engine is equipped with Electronic Variable Valve Timing Control (E-VVT) and can be paired to two transmissions. In addition to a nine-speed automatic transmission with aluminum paddle shifters, the purest sense of performance behind the wheel of the 2023 Nissan Z sports car can be harnessed through a six-speed manual gearbox.

 

As for the occupant compartment inside the new Nissan Z, the driver obviously gains the most attention. A customizable 12.3-inc digital meter display allows the pilot of the sports car to plan how they wish to receive information. The high-tech performance feel of the 2023 Nissan Z is enhanced by a drive computer with G-meter included as standard equipment.


For the 2023 model year, the Nissan Z will be offered in Sport and Performance trim levels with a long list of standard features fitted to both models. Intelligent Cruise Control, Nissan Intelligent Key with push button ignition, automatic temperature control, 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection is equipped both trim grades. The Sport grade of the 2023 Nissan Z comes with standard 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels mounted to Yokohama ADVAN Sport high performance tires, dual exhaust with chrome tips and black woven cloth seating. Upgrades with the Performance trim include larger disc brakes, sport-tuned suspension, Bridgestone Potenza tires paired with 19-inch RAYS super lightweight forged aluminum alloy wheels, red-painted brake calipers (a yellow colour is optional), leather-wrapped steering wheel as well as an eight-speaker Bose audio system with Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement.


Photo Credit: Nissan Canada



The new Nissan Z will be arriving for sale in Canada during the first half of 2022. In addition to the Sport and Performance trim grades, there will also be a limited edition “Proto Spec” edition version styled on the prototype version of the 2023 Nissan Z that wore a heritage bright yellow pearlescent paint colour with a black roof (the Super Black roof treatment will be available with five exterior colours with the Sport and Performance grade models). Only 240 versions of the Proto Spec edition will be produced with Canadian dealership said to receive a limited quality.           

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