Nissan is ready to take on the new Ford Mustang, revealing its new-generation Z Nismo. Packing a 313kW punch from its upgraded 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, the Z Nismo also features unique styling and Nismo upgrades to the brakes, suspension and chassis.
The engine is the key change from a performance perspective, with changes to the cooling system and a new ignition spark timing strategy providing the extra 19kW over the regular Nissan Z. Despite offering a manual transmission in the standard model, as expected, Nissan is only equipping the Z Nismo with a nine-speed automatic.
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To go with the extra power the handling package has been changed, with new stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and re-tuned dampers.
To ensure the Z Nismo stands out it features a unique front end design, known as the ‘Grand Nose’ or just ‘G-Nose’ according to the company. Reportedly inspired by the 240Z, the new front extends further forward than the rest of the line-up and includes a new grille with the thinnest honeycomb mesh Nissan offers on any of its production cars. At the back, Nismo has introduced a new taller, wider rear spoiler and a reshaped bumper.
There’s also a new red accent line that runs across both the front and rear bumpers, as well as new black-painted 19-inch Rays alloy wheels; which are wrapped in Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tyres.
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Inside, there are Recaro seats finished in leather and Alcantara as well as a steering wheel finished in the same materials. The start/stop and drive model select buttons are anodized red too, matching the exterior red theme.
Nissan Australia has confirmed it will offer the Z Nismo here, but hasn’t revealed when we can expect to see it in showrooms and won’t confirm pricing until closer to that time.
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