After more than a decade on the market, the Nissan 370Z is finally retiring. In its place comes the 400Z. Or at least that’s what we expect Nissan to christen the new Z. Unlike today’s sports car, the upcoming 2023 Z’s digits are not expected to represent the displacement of its engine but instead its outright horsepower.
Don’t worry purists, the new Z won’t abandon its history of packing six cylinders under its hood. Nor will it lose its third pedal option.
2023 Nissan Z: Powertrain and Performance
Anticipated to pack a stable of 400 horses, the upcoming 400Z is sure to have the power needed to properly compete with the likes of the Toyota Supra and the Porsche 718 Cayman sports coupes. Look for the new Z to rely on a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 for motivation.
Cribbed from the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport 400 models, the engine will likely pair with either the Infinitis’ seven-speed automatic transmission or a tried-and-true manual gearbox (take that, Supra). Like past Zs, power will get sent exclusively to the coupe’s rear wheels.
2023 Nissan Z: Looks and Styling
Look for the new Z’s styling to ride the coattails of its predecessors. As such, buyers can anticipate retro cues that evoke the original Datsun 240Z’s round headlights, long hood, and stubby rear end. Even the car’s badging will embrace an old-school font.
Similarly, we expect the new Z’s insides to combine modern technology with design elements that give a nod toward the past. Nissan is sure to fit the car with a trio auxiliary gauges atop its dashboard.
2023 Nissan Z: On-Sale Date and Price
We anticipate the 2023 Nissan Z will reach dealerships in the United States before the end of 2022. Although Nissan will initially sell the new Z exclusively as a coupe (with a hatch to access the cargo area), it may resurrect the model’s convertible body style a year or two down the line.
Regardless, the new Z’s price will rise dramatically from that of the 2020 model, which starts at $31,015. In fact, we’d guess the new Z will skirt the pricing line between the four- and six-cylinder Supra models, which start at $43,985 and $51,985, respectively. In other words, plan to cut a check for north of $45,000 to get behind the wheel of an entry-level 2023 Nissan Z.
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