This Might Be The Upcoming Nissan Z Nismo

When you think about it, we’re so incredibly lucky to have both a new Toyota Supra and Nissan Z on sale right now. Two three-pedal, six-cylinder, rear-wheel-drive Japanese sports coupes in the year 2023 sounds nuts given the zeitgeist around electrification, yet here we are. What’s more, one of these cars is about to get even better. Here’s a look at an upcoming high-performance Nissan Z variant as it sheds even more camouflage.

Right off the bat, we can thank Autopian user 57sweptside for being awesome and snapping these amazingly clear pictures of this hot, camo’d-up Z-car. This vehicle was said to have been testing in Chandler, Ariz., but was pulled off to the shoulder with hazards on. Needless to say, the vulnerable position of this test car made for some awesome pictures.

From afar, it’s easy to see that this Z gets a much more aggressive visual package than the standard model. The fascias and side skirts really hang low, with pronounced valence bulges that offer a hint of BN-style kits. The rear spoiler is also more aggressive than the one included on the Z Performance trim, now extending onto the rear quarter panels. I definitely dig the extra attitude; it really amps up the tuner car vibes.

Of course, the big development here is how much of the front bumper is exposed. This clearly won’t be anything like the current standard or optional (in Japan) bumper, so let’s break it down. While Nissan hasn’t been able to move the forward radar sensor out of the way, this Z gets honeycomb mesh and a massively opened-up grille. Not only does the new grille extend below the bottom of the radar unit, it also stretches out wider when compared to the standard grille pictured below. Also quite interesting are what appear to be straked brake ducts outboard of the main grille, a great idea for keeping things cool on the track.

While the standard front end does look a lot better in real life than it does in pictures thanks to the subtlety in its shaping, the revised front bumper we’re seeing here holds a lot of promise for those who don’t want their Nissan sports car to look like it’s wearing a retainer.

In addition to the revised cooling apertures, the front bumper styling of this revised Z seems dramatically different from what we’ve previously seen. Instead of a high noseline that curves around the headlamps, Nissan has moved the bumper’s upper character line lower to make it essentially flat. This should make the nose of the car appear lower than on a standard Z even though all the hard points should be the same. The bumper surfacing also flares out just a touch above the grille, adding a nice little bit of complexity to the look of the bumper.

Those with a keen eye for Nissans will recognize the wheels on this Z prototype as being similar to the wheels on the 2022 GT-R Nismo. While they appear to feature a slightly different spoke profile, they’re the right sort of design and application to suggest they’re lightweight forged RAYS units, a favorite supplier for fast Nissans. These wheels are also shod in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT 600 tires, which tracks well with Nismo tradition. The old 370Z Nismo and the GT-R Nismo both have run on Dunlops, so it’s not surprising to see Dunlops here.

Looking inside the car, I see a wicked set of sport seats. These definitely aren’t the carbon fiber seats seen on the updated GT-R Nismo, but I wouldn’t be surprised if these are sourced from Recaro due to Nismo’s history with the brand. Either way, they’re markedly different than the seats on the standard Z, so expect more support in the corners.

From wheels to tires to seats to styling, all signs point toward Nissan working on a Nismo variant of the new Z. Don’t be surprised if it packs more power, re-tuned suspension, and extra chassis bracing over a standard Z. The good news is that although this high-performance variant will be more expensive than a Z Performance, Nissan has decent headroom for pricing considering how a manual Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Premium costs $57,245 to a Z Performance’s $52,085. The new Nissan Z has a hell of a V6 and a proper limited-slip diff, but it needs some suspension tweaks and a better shifter to really excel. Let’s hope this upcoming high-performance model answers enthusiasts’ prayers.

If you happen to spot a cool car while out and about, we’d love to see it. Whether a camouflaged prototype like this, an absurdly pristine Plymouth Cricket, an obscure kit car, a ratty Lamborghini Espada in an unlikely locale, or anything in between, our tips email is always open for cool cars.

(Photo credits: 57sweptside)

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