On October 16, Nissan China officially announced that the Nissan Z Nismo model will be introduced to the Chinese market in 2026. The Nissan Z, a sports car under Nissan, will be equipped with a 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine, producing a maximum power of 426 horsepower and peak torque of 521 Nm, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The Nissan Z Nismo, which will soon be available in China, was first unveiled at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show. Compared to the standard Nissan Z, the Nismo version has more noticeable changes in its appearance. The front grille is larger, and the design is more flattened to lower the visual center of gravity. It also features Nismo-specific spoilers and a front lip spoiler that work together to increase downforce at high speeds. Additionally, the side design of the lower bumper includes a wind-cutting feature with red accents, enhancing its visual appeal.
On the side, the car features new side skirts and red accents on the side mirrors, along with Nismo-exclusive Rays 19-inch wheels. The tires are Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600s with dimensions of 285/35 R19, and the car is also equipped with Akebono brake calipers. At the rear, the main upgrade is the rear bumper, with the addition of the Nismo badge for improved recognition.
Inside, the Nissan Z Nismo retains the simple, performance-focused interior style of Nissan’s sports cars, with black as the main color. Some fine adjustments have been made to the details. The center console design includes the iconic “triple dial” setup, combined with a traditional mechanical handbrake, emphasizing the car’s driving-focused nature. The seats are RECARO sports seats with a black and red color scheme, Alcantara material, large side bolsters for added lumbar support, and red stitching. The headrests are adorned with the “Nismo” logo. The steering wheel features a red center mark at the 12 o’clock position and Alcantara suede at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. The full LCD instrument display also offers an exclusive red-themed interface to enhance the track-focused feel.
In terms of power, the Nissan Z Nismo is powered by the same 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine found in the standard Nissan Z. However, the Nismo division has optimized the cooling system and turbochargers, increasing the maximum power to 426 horsepower and the peak torque to 521 Nm. It is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The first generation of the Z series was introduced in 1969, priced at $3,601, much lower than popular European sports cars like the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type. Despite being powered by a 2.4-liter inline-six naturally aspirated engine, the original 240Z was a hit among consumers due to its impressive performance and wide appeal. Following this, Nissan launched the second, third, and fourth generations of the Z series, the 280ZX, 300ZX (Z31), and 300ZX (Z32). These models introduced T-top convertible versions and upgraded to a V6 engine, offering significantly improved performance.
In 2002, Nissan released the fifth generation, the 350Z, powered by the famous VQ35DE V6 engine producing 287 horsepower. It became a popular model in drifting events and tuning circles in both the U.S. and Japan. Six years later, the sixth generation, the 370Z, was introduced, with the VQ37HR engine delivering 332 horsepower. This generation became a flagship for Nissan’s sports car lineup for over a decade until its production ceased in 2020. The 370Z was also initially introduced to the Chinese market. In 2021, the seventh generation, the 400Z, was launched, featuring a 3.0T V6 twin-turbocharged engine with 400 horsepower, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission.
As a two-door sports car, the Nissan Z faces many competitors. In terms of power and price, competitors include the Alpine A110, Lotus Evora, Porsche 718 Cayman, BMW M2, Toyota Supra, and Jaguar F-TYPE. However, in the Chinese market, the main competitors for the Nissan Z would likely be the Toyota Supra and the BMW M2.
