It’s Finally Happening! Nissan Spied Working On A New Z Sports Car

The Nissan 370Z was introduced over a decade ago, but it appears work has finally begun on a successor.

While there isn’t much to see, spy photographers snapped a test mule on the Nürburgring where it was being benchmarked against the 2020 Toyota GR Supra.

Since the model is still in the early stages of the development, it doesn’t look terribly special as a majority of the body parts and components carryover from the current 370Z. However, engineers are clearly focused on cooling as the front bumper has been equipped with extra air intakes.

Also Read: Nissan Product Planning Boss Says 370Z And GT-R News Is Coming Soon

Virtually nothing is known about the car, but Nissan’s global product planning boss used the Tokyo Motor Show to announce we can expect to hear something about the 370Z and GT-R soon. He didn’t elaborate, but said the models are “at the heart of Nissan and we are actively looking at and working on them.”

While the automaker was coy on specifics, rumors have been flying around for years. Everything should be taken with a grain of salt, but previous reports have suggested the car will be twinned with the next-generation Infiniti Q60. The two models are rumored to share the same platform and engine options. That makes sense and the Nissan 350Z and Infiniti G37 Coupe followed a similar strategy.

If the rumors are to be believed, the production model could be called the Z400 and be slightly larger than the current car. It will reportedly be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces around 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS). There have also been rumors about all-wheel drive and a new Nismo variant, but that’s just speculation at this point.

There have also been conflicting reports about whether or not the next-generation Z will be offered as a roadster. The 370Z Roadster was dropped in the United States for 2020 as the company wanted to focus on sales of the coupe.

Nissan should confirm plans for a new Z shortly but, in the meantime, speculation suggests the model could be launched as early as 2021.