Could The New Z Engine Be Nissan’s Last Twin-Turbo V6?

According to a report by Best Car Web, the engine that will be used in the upcoming Z (Fairlady Z in Japan) could be Nissan’s last twin-turbo V6 due to emission regulations and the need for carbon neutrality.

The 370Z (Z34) and 350Z (Z33) were offered with naturally aspirated V6s, but the older 300ZX (Z32) was available with a twin-turbo V6 making it the last Z, to this date, to do so.

See Also: 2022 Nissan 400Z Nabbed In Production Form And It Looks Amazing

From the launch of the Nissan Z Proto in September 2020, it was confirmed that the new Z would be fitted with a twin-turbo V6, and that it would be available with a six-speed manual transmission. Since then, we have learned more information about the upcoming sportscar from different leaks and reports. It will allegedly use a tuned version of the VR30DDTT twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that is found on the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 and the Nissan Skyline 400R where it produces 400 hp (298 kW / 405 PS).

The only models benefiting from a turbocharged six-cylinder in the global Nissan lineup are the Infiniti Q50 sedan and the Infiniti Q60 coupe mainly sold in North America and China (the Infiniti SUVs use turbocharged four-cylinder motors and the Skyline 400R is exclusive to Japan). However, judging from their sales, it is unlikely that we will see the development of a new version of the same engine.

See Also: This Nissan 370Z With An Infiniti Twin-Turbo V6 Is A 400Z Before The Actual 400Z Arrives

Besides the upcoming Z that will not be available in Europe due to the stricter emission regulations, there is another model that will allegedly use a twin-turbo V6 and that is the next-generation GT-R. According to the latest reports, the R36 GT-R will carry over the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 (VR38DETT) from the R35, allegedly without the previously rumored mild-hybrid system.

Other Japanese automakers with V6 engines include Toyota (GR Supra and Land Cruiser), Lexus (LS500), and Honda (NSX), while in Europe, we have Mercedes-AMG (C43), Audi (RS 4 and RS 5), BMW (M340i and Z4 M40i), Ferrari (296 GTB) and Maserati (MC20).

However, with ever-tightening emissions regulations, companies trying to accomplish carbon neutrality and many countries vowing to ban internal combustion engines completely in the near future, could the VR30DDTT be Nissan’s last twin-turbo engine?