The new Z's grille insert features an elongated oval pattern that helps give depth to its gaping maw, but more interesting are the crisp, clean lines that compose the rest of the front fascia. The front of the Z Proto is dominated by a massive rectangular mouth reminiscent of the similar-albeit far smaller-air inlet on the original 1970 Datsun 240Z. But when redesigning an icon, not everyone's going to come away happy. The car's creases, curves, and sculpted lines are more dynamic when viewed in person, where it looks more aggressive and imposing. That said, the car's look has produced mixed feelings within the currently virtual halls of MotorTrend, and we will admit it doesn't look spectacular in photos. The new Z's design is one of the best-executed retro homages we've seen, which is to say it throws back to its ancestors without being beholden to them, and in this single car you can easily identify nods to two very distinct generations of Nissan's iconic sport coupe.

The New Z Cribs From the Original 240Z-and Friends Although Nissan is keeping a tight lip about technical information, there was a lot that we took away from our time with the car.

We had the exclusive opportunity to spend a day with the prototype at Nissan's 'Grandrive' proving ground in Oppama, just south of the company's Yokohama, Japan, headquarters. Indeed, what you see here is close to the production version of what will hit dealerships across America in the near future. The Z Proto is a thinly-disguised concept version of that car, and with its world debut, squinting at underexposed silhouettes and replaying of teaser videos can cease. Now the wait f or what we believe will be called the 400Z is over. In fact, there were doubts if a successor was ever going to materialize, and between the slew of negative press Nissan has received the last couple of years and the current economic climate, you would be forgiven for losing all hope.īut Nissan swore the Z was part of its very DNA, and that a new one was coming. Well, we're going to tell you anyway because it matters: The current-gen Z launched in 2008, and 12 years is a pretty long haul even for a sports car. The Nissan 370Z seems to be such a permanent fixture in the Nissan lineup, you've probably stopped wondering how long it's been around.

The Proto has a twin-turbo V-6 we expect will make 400 horsepower in the 400Z.

The 2022 Nissan 400Z will go on sale in America in the spring of 2021.

The Nissan Z Proto is a close-to-production, retro-flavored concept preview of the 400Z.

Nissan z prototype