2023 Nissan Z

A genuinely affordable sports car that brilliantly blends the retro look of its 50-plus year heritage with the technology desired and required by today’s fan base, the all-new seventh-generation 2023 Nissan Z — dropping its numerical prefix in North America — is finally here. The original Datsun 240Z was designed as a mass-market sports car, making ownership affordable to as many people as possible. Nissan insists that spirit and heritage will continue. "More than just powerful and agile, the 2023 Z is designed to be one with the driver for all kinds of on-road adventures," says Hiroshi Tamura, the car’s chief product specialist.

Performance

The Z's 3.0L twin-turbo V6 is a big step up in the power department over the previous generation 370Z. The engine is rated at 400 hp at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque starting from 1,600 rpm. With an increase of 68 hp and a 30 per cent increase in torque, the engine is designed to deliver an estimated 15 per cent improvement in acceleration to 100 km/h.

The 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission includes an EXEDY high-performance clutch. In a first for a rear-wheel-drive Nissan vehicle, Performance models equipped with a manual transmission include an advanced launch assist control system that helps deliver smooth acceleration from a stopped position. All automatic transmission models feature the launch control system. Manual transmission-equipped models feature a carbon-fibre composite drive shaft, with SynchroRev Match added to the Performance trim.

A quick-response 9-speed automatic transmission is also available. The new automatic offers a direct and quick response feeling and quick acceleration, thanks to its wide gear ratio spread and standard launch control system. Aluminum paddle shifters are standard, Performance models getting paddles sporting the same design as on the GT-R.

Two drive modes, standard and sport, are offered on automatic models. Standard mode is best suited for commuting and long highway drives. Sport mode offers faster acceleration control, a sports-mode steering algorithm, active sound enhancement and sports-mode vehicle dynamic control setting. All Z Performance grade models (automatic and manual) utilize a mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential.

Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes are standard, with larger sport brakes with red-painted calipers standard on Performance models. The Sport trim rides on dark-painted 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with Yokohama Advan Sport high-performance tires, while Performance grades features 19-inch RAYS super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy mounted with Bridgestone Potenza S007 high-performance tires.

Practicality

The new Z takes on a traditional rear-wheel-drive sports car design, with a long hood, lower rear stance and a silhouette that pays homage to the 240Z. LED lighting has been incorporated. The LED headlights have two half-circles that take their inspiration from the Japan market-only 240ZG of the 1970s. Door handles are a flush-mounted design, and the rear hatch design is ultra-thin. The Z Performance model features a rear spoiler that creates positive pressure where the rear hatch and spoiler meet, mitigating rear lift.

Inside, the 2023 Z cabin blends modern technology with vintage Z touches. The centre stack takes inspiration from previous generations, with three analogue pod gauges on the instrument panel, 8-inch touchscreen audio display in the centre and climate control switches near the shifter. All vital information is found in the 12.3-inch customizable digital metre display. The TFT display has three display modes to suit driver preference. Normal mode offers a sporty feel with the centre area for navigation, audio and vehicle information. Enhanced mode pushes the tachometer and speedometer to the edges of the display, giving more space in the center for a larger navigation map and information to be displayed. Sport mode prioritizes the tachometer in the centre with shift-up light at the top for shift information in the driver's field of view. The Sport mode also allows for a boost gauge or G metre to be displayed.

The Sport trim offers black woven cloth seats with an 8-way manual driver's seat and 4-way manual passenger seat. The Performance trim adds leather-appointed seating surfaces, 4-way power driver's seat with manual lifter, lumbar and thigh support, 4-way power passenger seat and heated seats.

A full range of convenience features are offered as standard equipment, including Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button start, intelligent cruise control, automatic temperature control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, rear-view monitor, two 12-volt power points, two USB points (Type-A and Type-C), and front and rear sonar sensors. The 8-inch display audio touchscreen with six speakers includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, Streaming Audio via Bluetooth, SiriusXM radio, Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant and Siri Eyes Free.

The Performance model also includes an 8-speaker Bose audio system with Active Noise Cancellation and Active Sound Enhancement.

Canadian Pricing

Pricing starts at $46,498 for the manual Sport model, $47,998 for the automatic. As a bang-for-your-buck proposition, also $10,000 less than a four-cylinder Supra.

Less of a bargain are the Performance models, which come with huge price jump —$58,498 with the manual transmission, a mechanical limited-slip differential, forged 19-inch wheels, and a host of audio and convenience upgrades. The Performance with automatic is two bucks shy of $60K. Still, even this is about $8K less than an equivalent six-cylinder GR Supra 3.0.

A special Proto Spec edition will feature a limited-edition plaque and exclusive interior and exterior features that pay homage to the Z Proto launched in 2020 — $64,248 for the manual, $65,748 for the automatic.