After a long teaser program and even a concept, the 2022 Nissan Z has finally been revealed. Using the same underpinnings of its 370Z predecessor, the Z has upped the ante in performance with a 298kW/475Nm twin-turbocharged petrol V6 now standard equipment. A six-speed manual transmission has – thankfully – been retained, while a new nine-speed automatic will be available as well. Due in Australia in 2022, the new Z will likely rise in price.
New retro styling adorns the exterior with a familiar look that pays homage to Z cars of the past. Looking very similar to the concept on which it is based, the new Z takes the 370Z’s shell and updates it with new bodywork. Unlike all past Z cars, the 2022 Nissan Z drops the engine capacity in front of its name (370Z, 240Z etc) and is simply known as ‘Nissan Z’. Could that open the door for more engine variants? We shall see.
Powering the new 2022 Nissan Z is a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that’s either mated to a six-speed manual or a new nine-speed automatic. Like all Z cars before it, power is sent solely to the rear wheels. This new engine produces 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque, which is 53kW and 112Nm more than then the 370Z it replaces. The 0-60mph (97km/h) sprint will be covered in just 4.5 seconds, which is almost a second quicker than the 370Z.
The platform that the new Z sits on is largely shared with the current 370Z and even the 350Z that it replaced – though there having been changes to the suspension and so on to help dynamics. There will be 19-inch alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential and big 356mm front/351mm rear performance brakes all available on the new Z and we expect Australian-spec models to be equipped with everything the company can throw at them.
The interior of the new 2022 Nissan Z features a new dash design – though if you look closer, the door cards and centre console are quite similar to the 370Z. There is a lot more tech this time around with a 9.0-inch touchscreen that will sit in the centre of the dash and feature Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot. There is also a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display which helps modernise the cabin. There will also be Nissan’s full suite of active safety tech fitted as standard – we’re talking AEB, adaptive cruise control and so on.
More cabin niceties include a nine-speaker Bose sound system with active noise cancellation, USB A and USB C ports, leather and suede upholstery – including the fetching blue colour of the press photos, a rev-matching function for the manual gearbox, single-zone climate control, aluminium sports pedals and a new design of steering wheel for Nissan with small buttons to control various functions of the car.
To be launched Down Under sometime in 2022, the 2022 Nissan Z is expected to be priced around $65,000 plus on-road costs in Australia.
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