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Nissan teases Z coupe ahead of August 17 reveal – update

Teaser videos released ahead of official reveal next week

Nissan Z Teaser
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Snapshot

  • New Nissan Z to debut on August 17
  • Twin-turbo V6 likely to provide 331kW
  • Chassis will be 40kg lighter than 370Z

UPDATE, August 13: Just a handful of days ahead of its unveiling, Nissan USA has released three short teaser videos of the new Z coupe on its Instagram page, providing the first official look at the sportscar.

While not revealing enough to undermine next week's reveal, the shots confirm previous spy photos of the Z are an accurate indicator of its finished design (see below).

The rear three-quarter panel design is reminiscent of the original 240Z while the eyelid-style daytime running lights give it a sharp, modern look to bring the Z nameplate into its seventh generation of production.

2022 Nissan Z Coupe Teaser Instagram 2
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Image from Nissan USA
2022 Nissan Z Coupe Teaser Instagram 3
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Image from Nissan USA

The story to here

June 11: Nissan fans can rejoice and mark down August 17 in their calendars – when the new Z car is to finally be revealed, nearly a year after the release of the Z Proto.

The date (and accompanying image above) was revealed by the Japanese carmaker on its social media channels this morning.

The idea of a new Z car was first revealed by Motor in a 2018 interview with Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's Senior Vice President for Global Design, and details about the forthcoming sports car have been gaining momentum since the Z Proto was unveiled.

Initially thought to be called the 400Z, Nissan looks to have dropped the 400 moniker while keeping the Z title, which has been in circulation since the 240Z was released in 1969.

Speculation surrounding the details of the Z has been coming thick and fast since the Proto was shown off in September last year, but Nissan has 'unintentionally' released possible specs in the meantime.

Archive Whichcar 2021 04 07 141002 2022 Nissan Z Leaked 2 2
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The Z Proto featured in the Project Cars 3 video game, with claimed power at 331kW – an achievable feat given the rumoured VR30DDTT powerplant produces 298kW in the Infiniti Q50/Q60 Red Sport.

Weight was also reduced to 1475kg from the 1515kg of its 370Z predecessor through the use of more lightweight materials throughout the chassis, bringing the power-to-weight ratio up to 224kW per tonne from the 370Z's 162kW per tonne.

Power will be delivered to the rear wheels through a choice of either a six-speed manual or a Mercedes-Benz developed nine-speed torque converter auto, as opposed to the seven-speed auto found in the Q50 and Q60.

Leaked photos of the Z showed it bearing much the same styling as the Proto – exterior dimensions leading it to sit 117mm longer, 5mm wider and 5mm lower than the 370Z, while front and rear tyre size increased by 30mm and 40mm respectively to 255/40 and 285/35.

Watch for more on the new Z to come in the weeks ahead.

Jordan Mulach
Contributor

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