It’s been a long time coming, but the pumped-up 2024 Nissan Nismo Z is almost here. Not content to slowly peel things back layer-by-layer, Nissan has hired Formula Drift legend Chris Forsberg to slide this high-performance Z-car around and give everyone a show. Unfortunately, Nissan isn’t releasing further details at this time, but we just so happen to have eagle eyes and a penchant for quick, rear-wheel-drive machines. So, let’s slow the footage down and see what we find.
The biggest visual distinction of the Nismo trim is a completely reshaped front bumper that somehow looks less slack-jawed than the face on the standard car. It’s a throwback to the G-nose Fairlady Z of the ‘70s, complete with a black horizontal insert reminiscent of the original rub strip. Look a bit closer and you’ll also notice a small yet purposeful set of fender extensions. Since it’s a Nismo, you best believe that it has more red trim than a late-aughts backpack wrapping around the lower body edges like some kind of hovercraft skirt. It definitely isn’t subtle, but what did you expect from a high-performance version of a Japanese sports car?
Around back, this pumped-up Z gains a seriously chunky three-piece rear spoiler and an even bigger slab of black plastic bumper trim than on the standard car. While cosmetically a bit silly, the wings on the outer edges may play an important aerodynamic role, but we’ll have to wait for official word. I wish the nifty perforated exhaust tips weren’t sunk so far into the bumper, but aside from that, the Nismo looks ready to rock.
Capping off the looks are unique nine-spoke wheels wrapped in NR1-spec Dunlop SP SportMaxx GT 600 tires that Nissan seems quite fond of, just like we saw on a prototype back in March. Given the availability of forged wheels on the Z Performance trim, I’d be awfully shocked if these wheels were cast, so it feels right to anticipate lightness.
A quick flash of the engine bay doesn’t show any obvious upgrades over standard spec. Even the heavy hand of Nismo badging hasn’t touched the engine cover, and the strut tower brace appears identical to that of the garden-variety car. Then again, the FM platform dates way back to 2001 in the JDM V35 Skyline that we later got as the Infiniti G35, so carrying a tower brace throughout the range seems like a good idea. Still, don’t be surprised if the Nismo model features more than 400 horsepower, as it’s Nismo tradition to turn up the wick.
Slide inside, and the first thing you’ll notice is a pair of Recaro seats with red inserts and black bolsters. They look wonderfully supportive, but they’re also a great distraction from some in the car that could turn a lot of enthusiasts off. Take a close look at that suede-and-leather steering wheel with the red noon marker.
Oh wait, this thing’s an automatic? Hmm. Now I’m less interested. While shift quality on the manual has fallen since the early days of Nissan’s CD00x six-speed manual gearbox, something just feels wrong about the quickest Z only having two pedals. Then again, it’s always possible that a three-pedal version will be announced when the Nismo Z officially launches, so watch this space.
After a thorough first glance, the 2024 Nissan Nismo Z seems to offer all of the Nismo goodies one could really want, with one notable exception. An automatic-only Nismo Z would seriously alienate most hardcore customers, so here’s hoping that a manual is on the menu. We’ll know more later this summer, when Nissan plans to dish all the details on its new rear-wheel-drive scorcher.
(Photo credits: Nissan)
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Wow, don’t think I could drive this car w/ an auto w/o being annoyed & really pissed off all at the same time
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Who’s the target buyer of this car? I feel like the demographic that would most want this car (young males) is the least likely to be able to afford it.
With a higher number of people who don’t feel the need to move out, I’d say probably youngers paying no rent and living with parents. I’ve seen people working minimum wage jobs for a 1-2 years and show up with cars 40K plus.
“RED STRIPE…
HORRAYYY CAR!!!”
Came here for this. Leaving satisfied.
The skirts make it look more like the old 370. It ruins the throwback style, and makes it look more clunky than aggro, in my opinion. I hate it.
It looks pretty good all things considered. I’m still not really sure why you’d pick this over a Supra/Z4 or spending a little more for a C8 Corvette, but I’m still happy the Z is alive, even if it’s literally just a cosmetically updated version of the same damn Z we’ve had since the early 2000s. I’ll take that over no Z at all.
Anyway there’s no way this is automatic only. No Japanese company is going to force you into an auto in a performance car unless it’s a halo and/or luxury product (LC500, GTR). Driving manual is an absolutely massive part of Japanese enthusiast culture and this thing would get absolutely shunned if it was automatic only. I’d legitimately be interested to see if the automatic is actually something decent though, like the DCT from the GTR or one of the newer Nissan autos they’ve licensed from ZF.
Well theres that and also the fact the automatic in the Z is not even close to a ZF 8 speed. Either they stuck a DCT from the GTR in or they actually got ZF
I believe the one in the base Z is the old 9 speed torque converter that they essentially developed for use in their BOF trucks and SUVs. It’s certainly not a performance oriented transmission, that’s for sure.
Then again in classic Nissan fashion they probably put a CVT to replace the 9 speed
Due to emission (sound and fumes) regulations and reliability (due to probably increased power and torque) reasons, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was auto only, and by auto only I mean the same Mercedes (not ZF) licensed Jatco built 9-speed
They are now using a licensed ZF 9 speed in the Pathfinder/whatever the Infiniti equivalent is…although now that I’ve looked it up I remembered those are FWD based, so it likely wouldn’t work in this application.
“No Japanese company is going to force you into an auto in a performance car”
Toyota did just that with the Supra until they very recently came to their senses, so there is precedent.
That wasn’t their plan, though. That was due to the co development with BMW who uses exclusively ZF8s for their RWD platforms. That car was likely ZF8 or nothing at all…which is why we saw Toyota scramble to put a manual in that car while BMW seems to have no interest in using one in the Z4, if that makes sense.
If that car was a Toyota only project I don’t even think there would be an auto available….and if there was it would be some Aisin nonsense leftover from the early 2000s.
BMW actually had a manual in the 4cylinder Z4’s before Toyota released the manual in the Supra, also no the Supra was not supposed to have the manual at the launch, they intentionally delayed the introduction for a few model years to drum up sales.
Toyota doesn’t have any RWD manual transmissions and they will not develop any.
I learned something today, thanks.
JDM
Are we not counting the Supra as JDM because it was codeveloped with BMW?
Vin doesn’t start with J, its not JDM.
Doesn’t matter if Toyota or BMW developed it.
“Japanese Domestic Market” means sold in Japan, not made in Japan.