Nissan Z Prototype 2020-

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The new Z is coming.

Nissan has unveiled the Z Proto, signalling the company's intent to launch a new generation of the legendary Z sports car. Shown at an event beamed around the world from the Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, Japan, the prototype features new design inside and out, as well as an upgraded powertrain with a manual transmission.

In Franklin, just south of Nashville, hundreds of Z owners and enthusiasts watched the Z Proto's Yokohama debut on big screens from their vehicles in a socially distanced event– part of a weeklong schedule of activities during the 33rd annual International Z Convention (ZCON).

First hinted at in a brand teaser video, "Nissan A-Z," shown in May, the Nissan Z Proto pays full respect to 50 years of Z heritage. At the same time, it's a thoroughly modern sports car.

"The Z represents the joy of driving in its purest form and has helped shape Nissan's DNA as a passionate, innovative challenger," said Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. "Ever since the first generation, it has captured the hearts of car enthusiasts all over the world. That's why we're so excited today to be able to say to them: Yes, the next one is coming!"

Z Proto is one of 10 new vehicles that Nissan is showing for the U.S. in 20 months, along with top-sellers like Sentra and Rogue, and innovative new models like the all-electric Ariya crossover.

"The United States is home to one of the most devoted and enthusiastic Z communities in the world, with nearly 1.35 million total sales over the model's 50-year history," said Mike Colleran, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. Marketing and Sales. "With new models like Sentra and Rogue opening new eyes to our brand, Z Proto is our loudest statement yet that Nissan will continue to bring vehicles that thrill to U.S. showrooms."

Sporting a bright yellow pearlescent paint – a tribute to a popular paint scheme on both the first-generation 240Z and the 300ZX – the Z Proto boasts a fresh, attractive exterior design with a silhouette that communicates respect to the original model.

Using a theme that combines elements of previous generations while also projecting futurism was challenging, said Alfonso Albaisa, head of design at Nissan.

"Our designers made countless studies and sketches as we researched each generation and what made them a success," Albaisa said. "Ultimately, we decided the Z Proto should travel between the decades, including the future."

The shape of the hood and the canted, teardrop-shaped LED headlights are both unmistakable reminders of the original Z. The rectangular grille dimensions are similar to the current model, although the grille fins nod to the past. The form continues to exude both sportiness and elegance.

"The LED headlights have two half-circles that hark back to the Japan market-only 240ZG of the 70s," Albaisa explained. "The ZG has clear dome lenses over the headlight buckets, which under light give off two circular reflections over each headlight. We liked that unique characteristic and discovered that it naturally fit with the Z's identity."

The link to the original Z is most striking when viewing the Z Proto from the side. The roofline flows from the nose to the squared-off rear to create a distinctive first-generation Z profile whose rear edge was slightly lower than the front fender height giving the Z its unique posture. The signature transition from the rear quarter glass to the low-slung position of the rear tail adds to the effect.

The rear takes inspiration from the 300ZX taillights, reinterpreted for the modern world. Set within a rectangular black section that runs across the rear and wraps around the outer edges, the LED taillights convey a sharp glow.

Lightweight carbon fiber treatments on the side skirts, front lower lip and rear valance ensure nimble performance. 19-inch alloy wheels and dual exhausts complete the Z Proto's striking road presence.

Z Proto interior: modern tech with a vintage touch

Designed to fit driver and passenger like a glove, the Z Proto's cabin seamlessly blends modern technology with vintage Z touches.

The interior design team sought advice from professional motorsports legends to give the Z Proto an ideal sports car cabin, both for road and track. This can be seen in the Z's instrumentation. All vital information is found in the 12.3-inch digital meter display and arranged to help the driver grasp it at a glance, such as the redline shift point at the twelve o-clock position.

The new, deep dish steering wheel offers the driver quick access controls without losing its vintage aesthetic.

Yellow accents are found throughout the cabin, including stitching on the instrument panel. The seats feature special accent piping and layered seat material to create depth.

Sports car joy: an exhilarating, dynamic performer

The original Z was built to bring the joy and excitement of sports car ownership to as many people as possible.

"The Z has always been a strong dynamic performer, making it easy for customers to enjoy its capabilities and feel as connected as possible to the car," said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist of the Z Proto. "This has been true through all its generations, and this is what drives our passion to innovate and challenge the norm."

Each new generation had a more powerful engine, although the Z is about more than power increases.

"Z is more than just powerful and agile," Tamura continued. "It is designed to create a connection with the driver, for the car to be a 'dance partner' for their on-road adventures."

Make no mistake though, the Z Proto packs a powerful punch. Under the elongated hood is an enhanced V6 twin-turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. As a prototype, work is now underway to synchronize the power with the grace and control that has defined the Z for the past 50 years.

"Nissan is transforming its business," said Uchida. "This summer, we unveiled the ground breaking all-electric Nissan Ariya crossover, which represents the future of mobility. Even as we open this new chapter, the Z, its heritage and passion, express who we are and has been shaping our DNA for over fifty years."

About ZCON
The Z Car Club Association (ZCCA) is hosting current Datsun and Nissan Z car owners from around the world for its annual International Z Car Convention. The event runs from Sept. 14 through 19 in Franklin, home of Nissan North America headquarters. This year's ZCON is expected to draw a large number of participants as the association celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Datsun 240Z's original model year.

For more information on the 2020 Nashville ZCON, please visit [url]www.ZCON.org[/url].

To find out more about the Z Proto, 2020 Nissan 370Z and the rest of the Nissan lineup, please visit NissanNews.com.

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Nice stuff NSX.

I actually watched the first 5 minutes of this reveal. This has potential.

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[QUOTE=Kitdy;1022336]Nice stuff NSX.

I actually watched the first 5 minutes of this reveal. This has potential.[/QUOTE]

Thanks.

Considering how bad Nissan's financials are, I think this was planned likely under Ghosn. I'm optimistic about this car, I'm happy it has a stick shift.

I don't have high hopes for the Nissan GT-R though, it might just disappear when this comes on. That's been built with small changes since 2007. 13 years ago!

13 years ago I was still in high school!

Odd proportions, but it's otherwise promising.

I do like the restraint, if a 400hp sportscar could ever be said to posses that, both in physical design and in performance specifications. In a world where [i][b]Stellantis[/i][/b] can make a 25-year-old Mercedes with 800hp, Porsche can release an electric with turboes, Nissan itself just wrapped up production of the gloriously-maddening CrossCab, and Dany "[I]Lord Premiumosity, 2nd Viscount of Aspirationalism[/I]" Bahar has [URL="https://www.aresdesign.com/en-us/news-press/ares-design-unleashes-project-1/"]a new company[/URL] I would have expected doo-dads, whizzbangs, tchotchkes, and all the other trappings of our modern [I]nuovo roccoco[/I] more-is-more design language and technical philosphy.

Despite my usual aversion to yellow, I like the color; the loud color flatters the simple design and vice versa. Maybe that's why all the other silver, slightly-different silver, and grayscale Pepto Bismol cars on the road today have gills, winglets, fins, and animated taillights...

[QUOTE=NSXType-R;1022342]Thanks.

Considering how bad Nissan's financials are, I think this was planned likely under Ghosn. I'm optimistic about this car, I'm happy it has a stick shift.

I don't have high hopes for the Nissan GT-R though, it might just disappear when this comes on. That's been built with small changes since 2007. 13 years ago!

13 years ago I was still in high school![/QUOTE]

For sure, this was baking nuder Ghosn's watch at least 3 years ago.

13 years ago I had recently left HS... Damn that has contextualized it.

[QUOTE=f6fhellcat13;1022346]Odd proportions, but it's otherwise promising.[/QUOTE]

The rear deck is hilariously short.

I like it overall; especially in profile. Seems curt and tight. Crisp, small(ish). Something that actually interests me. [SIZE=1](Give me Natural Aspiration)[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=f6fhellcat13;1022346]Despite my usual aversion to yellow, I like the color; the loud color flatters the simple design and vice versa. Maybe that's why all the other silver, slightly-different silver, and grayscale Pepto Bismol cars on the road today have gills, winglets, fins, and animated taillights...[/QUOTE]

You paint a picture here. A Pollock, but still, a picture.

Also:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]437278[/ATTACH]

There, I fixed the grille.

I know Nissan is in deep shit at this moment. And this car isn't coming to Europe because the sports car market here is down the drain.
But I feel that this is just nothing more than a 370 with some new bits.
I think the are quite equal. :D

[QUOTE=Duell;1022354]I know Nissan is in deep shit at this moment. And this car isn't coming to Europe because the sports car market here is down the drain.
But I feel that this is just nothing more than a 370 with some new bits.
I think the are quite equal. :D[/QUOTE]

That's what everyone is saying. I can see Nissan cobbling this together with an existing 370Z chassis. Many people are concerned this will be a late model refresh of the 370Z rather a brand new chassis/platform. I don't know, Nissan likes keeping platforms forever, look at the GT-R, so that's definitely plausible.

I'm just happy that there's a few more options for a Japanese sports car now.

[QUOTE=Kitdy;1022349]For sure, this was baking nuder Ghosn's watch at least 3 years ago.

13 years ago I had recently left HS... Damn that has contextualized it.

The rear deck is hilariously short.

I like it overall; especially in profile. Seems curt and tight. Crisp, small(ish). Something that actually interests me. [SIZE=1](Give me Natural Aspiration)[/SIZE]



You paint a picture here. A Pollock, but still, a picture.

[/QUOTE]

I was reading quickly and I read that as Ghosn planned this car in the nude or something along those lines and did a quick double take.

Production car won't look exactly the same, but many are speculating some changes to the grill.

Natural aspiration would be nice, but the 300ZX had turbos so it's not unheard of.

Wouldn't it be wild if Nissan stuck a RB26 in this?

Way off topic, but...

It's kind of hilarious that Ghosn's epic fall from grace (whether it be justified or not) is the most interesting news Nissan's had in the last year and we're still talking about it. There's thought that he was pushed out by Japanese centric executives who think he's wielding too much power, so his escape may not be totally unjustified.

I have watched the launched online and this car seems promising.