The launch of the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO has stirred up the sports car scene, showcasing Nissan’s commitment to enhancing its iconic Z line while navigating the fine balance between tradition and innovation. NISMO, Nissan’s legendary motorsport and performance division, has taken the latest Z car under its wing, but not in the way some enthusiasts might have hoped.
2024 Nissan Z NISMO Engine | Automatic Transmission: A Shift in Direction
The decision to equip the Z NISMO exclusively with a nine-speed automatic transmission has sparked discussions among purists and modernists alike. While the base Z Sport and Z Performance models nod to the past with their six-speed manual options, the NISMO variant steers towards a future where lap times reign supreme. According to Paul Hawson, director of advanced product planning, this choice is rooted in customer feedback indicating a preference for speed and efficiency on the track, where modern automatics can outperform even the most skilled manual shifting.
Performance Tweaks: Subtle yet Significant
Under the hood, the Z NISMO’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine sees a modest boost, producing 420 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque—an increase attributed to enhanced turbo boost, turbine speed, and a GT-R inspired spark-timing system. These adjustments, coupled with a finely tuned wastegate control and a new engine computer, promise to elevate the NISMO’s performance without altering its core.
Handling and Control: Precision-Engineered
The mechanical limited-slip differential from the Z Performance returns, supporting optimal power distribution. The transmission’s upgraded clutch packs and a new Sport+ drive mode further refine the driving experience, enabling quicker shifts and a more engaging launch control that doesn’t necessitate the use of paddle shifters—though they remain an option for drivers seeking more control.
Future Possibilities: Listening to the Fans
While the automatic transmission defines the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO, Hawson hints at a potential return to manual if there’s enough demand. This openness to community feedback underscores Nissan’s dedication to its fan base and the evolving landscape of sports car enthusiasm.
The Weight Challenge: 2024 Nissan Z NISMO
As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO, performance enthusiasts face a notable concern: the 3,704-pound curb weight makes it the heaviest Z in the lineup. This weight increase places the NISMO 102 pounds above its nearest sibling in terms of heft and a significant 218 pounds over the lightest Z model available.
Silver Lining: Power-to-Weight Ratio Improvement
Despite the weighty issue, there’s a silver lining. The bump in power to 420 hp helps improve the weight-to-power ratio to 8.8 pounds per horsepower, a slight enhancement from the 9.0 figure of the Z Performance automatic. It aligns with the Z Performance manual and closely trails the Z Sport manual’s 8.7, signaling a step in the right direction for performance metrics.
Unpacking the Weight Gain
The question of where this extra weight originates is answered by Paul Hawson, who points to structural bracing enhancements in the front, rear, and under the rear floor as the primary culprits. These reinforcements—comprising additional welds, adhesives, and foams—aim to bolster the NISMO’s torsional rigidity by a modest 2.5-percent. Moreover, the inclusion of a larger oil cooler and extra oil, along with bigger front brakes, further contribute to the overall weight increase.
While the heft of the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO may raise eyebrows among purists, the thoughtful integration of structural enhancements and performance upgrades offers a nuanced balance between speed, stability, and safety, marking a calculated evolution in the Z’s storied legacy.
Fine-Tuning the Thrill: The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO’s Handling Focus
NISMO’s dedication to refining the 2024 Nissan Z’s performance is evident in the prioritization of chassis and handling enhancements. The comprehensive approach to fine-tuning every aspect that impacts driving dynamics underscores a commitment to delivering an exhilarating track and road driving experience. The meticulous calibration of suspension, steering, and braking components reflects NISMO’s philosophy that driving pleasure is paramount, and every modification is purposeful.
Stiffening Up for Precision: Suspension and Steering Upgrades
The Z NISMO’s handling prowess is bolstered by an array of suspension upgrades. Larger, track-tuned dampers and stiffer springs, alongside stiffer anti-roll bars, lay the foundation for a more agile and responsive driving behavior. The incorporation of stiffer suspension and steering-rack bushings further sharpens the car’s responses, enabling drivers to feel more connected to the road and confidently carve through corners.
Lightweight Agility: Exclusive NISMO Wheels and Tires
Complementing the suspension modifications, the Z NISMO sports exclusive NISMO-embossed 19-inch Rays nine-spoke wheels. These wheels are not only wider for increased grip but are also designed to be “slightly” lighter, contributing to the car’s nimble character. The selection of Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tires, shared DNA with the GT-R’s rubber, promises superior traction and cornering performance, particularly with the widened rear tires enhancing the Z NISMO’s handling capabilities.
Upgraded Braking for the Track: Enhanced Stopping Power
The braking system receives significant attention to ensure it matches the Z NISMO’s enhanced performance. Four-piston Akebono-branded front brake calipers now grip 15.0-inch rotors, upsized to provide more consistent stopping power during track sessions. The rear setup maintains two-piston calipers and 13.8-inch rotors, with track compound brake pads installed all around to address any braking concerns and deliver reliable, fade-resistant stopping performance.
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO emerges as a finely tuned instrument of driving joy, with NISMO’s enhancements converging to create a vehicle that’s not only thrilling to drive on the track but also rewarding on the open road. The synergy of lightweight components, stiffened suspension, and superior braking capability illustrates NISMO’s unwavering focus on crafting a car that delights enthusiasts with its precision and performance.
Aerodynamics Refined: The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO’s Enhanced Bodywork
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO introduces an upgraded aerodynamic package that’s as functional as it is visually striking. NISMO’s focus on refining the car’s aerodynamics without impacting the drag coefficient hints at a delicate balance between achieving measurable downforce and maintaining efficiency. While specific figures on downforce aren’t disclosed, the enhancements suggest a nuanced approach to improving the car’s stability and handling at speed.
A Bold New Face: Redesigning the Z’s Controversial Grille
The Z NISMO’s front end receives a significant makeover, addressing the polarizing reactions to the standard Z’s grille. Drawing inspiration from the iconic 240ZG, the grille’s transformation into a trapezoidal shape, complemented by a horizontal bar and NISMO badge, introduces a modern yet classic aesthetic. Additionally, small vertical canards positioned ahead of the front wheels are engineered to optimize airflow around the car, showcasing NISMO’s meticulous attention to aerodynamic detail.
Rear Aerodynamic Enhancements: Spoilers, Bumpers, and Badges
At the rear, a three-piece spoiler not only visually extends the standard model’s ducktail but also plays a crucial role in aerodynamic performance. The redesigned rear bumper, particularly at its corners, draws inspiration from the GT-R, focusing on efficient air separation and drag reduction. These changes are crowned with a distinctive NISMO badge, marking the car’s high-performance credentials.
Side Profile and Signature Accents: Minimizing Drag and Maximizing Style
New side sills on the Z NISMO work to further reduce drag and lift, featuring a design that might suggest functionality beyond mere aesthetics, such as an air intake, but is primarily an aerodynamic element. Small fender flares accommodate the slight increases in track width, ensuring the wider tires remain neatly tucked under the bodywork.
Aesthetic Refinement: The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO’s Exterior Evolution
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO introduces an enhanced aerodynamic profile that merges functionality with design flair. The modifications don’t just promise measurable downforce (the specifics of which remain intriguingly vague) but do so without affecting the car’s drag coefficient. This delicate balance suggests either remarkable efficiency in the new aerodynamics or a modest increase in downforce. The redesign, particularly the front end, moves away from the polarizing square grille of the standard Z to a more universally appealing trapezoidal shape, reminiscent of the 240ZG, accented with a NISMO badge for distinction.
The rear of the car sees the introduction of a three-piece spoiler, further refining the standard model’s ducktail, alongside a reshaped bumper inspired by GT-R design cues aimed at improving air separation and reducing drag. New side sills contribute to drag and lift reduction, enhancing both appearance and performance. The NISMO’s stance is broadened with subtle fender flares to accommodate a slight increase in track width, unified visually by a distinctive red stripe that encircles the car, complemented by black accents and a unique “stealth gray” paint option.
2024 Nissan Z NISMO Interior: NISMO’s Subtle Touches
Inside, the NISMO ethos of performance coupled with style is evident, albeit with subtler changes compared to the exterior. Leather and Alcantara Recaro seats, emblazoned with NISMO badges, are primed for both track days and daily commutes. The steering wheel’s Alcantara grips and a distinctive red leather marker at the top, along with red accent stitching, enhance the tactile and visual connection to the car’s performance heritage.
The NISMO red theme extends to the engine start/stop button, drive-mode selector, and tachometer accent in the digital instrument cluster, which boasts a NISMO logo and a special startup animation, adding a layer of exclusivity to the driving experience.
2024 Nissan Z NISMO Price / Release date
While pricing details for the 2024 Z NISMO remain under wraps, anticipation builds for its market debut in the U.S. this fall. With the Z Performance automatic as a pricing benchmark, the NISMO variant is expected to edge closer to the $60,000 mark, setting the stage for a highly anticipated release. As enthusiasts and prospective buyers await more details, the prospect of experiencing the culmination of Nissan’s performance enhancements firsthand promises to redefine expectations for what a sports car can deliver.
