It was back in August 2021 when Nissan officially launched the next-generation Z. No longer sporting a numerical name, the seventh-generation sports car combines retro styling with an improved chassis derived from the 370Z, a high-tech interior complete with modern amenities and driver aids, and a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that churns out 400 PS and 474 Nm of torque.
With the all-new Z reportedly heading to the Philippines sometime in the middle of 2023, we are excited, but one question has been lingering ever since Nissan revealed its newest sports car, where is the Z NISMO?
Wonder no more as camouflaged prototypes of the supposed Z NISMO were seen undergoing tests in Arizona. Spotted by a member of the Nissan Z Club, each of the prototypes had a unique exterior livery. Starting with the white one, this one had a light camo livery which showed some of the exterior changes.
Immediately evident is what looks like a new front bumper that's more aerodynamic, along with what appear to be side intakes and additional air vents. Moreover, there's a new set of lightweight alloy wheels that are wrapped in what looks like low-profile tires. Moving to the rear, there's a more aggressive bumper, new dual exhausts, and rectangular reflectors that are not found on the regular Z.
As for the other prototype, this one comes with a gray livery and has some bulky padding underneath. We're not entirely sure why it has the extra padding but it could be part of the automaker's tests being done on the vehicle.
There are no details yet regarding the Z NISMO's twin-turbo V6 aside from the fact that it will be more powerful. But just how much power will it make compared to the standard engine? Based on several rumors, the NISMO version will reportedly make 500 PS and over 500 Nm of torque. This would serve as a significant boost compared to the regular model.
With no exact date yet as to when Nissan will actually reveal the Z NISMO, we can only wait for the official announcement (or teasers) from the automaker. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that we won't have to wait too long.