Codenamed Z35, the successor to the 370Z is rumored to bear the 400Z nameplate. Teased not that long ago along with the redesigned Frontier and a few more all-new or facelifted Nissans, the front-engine sports car is likely to rely on forced induction and a smaller displacement in order to fend off the Toyota GR Supra.
Rumor after rumor, the 2021 Nissan 400Z is anticipated with the 3.0-liter V6 from Infiniti. The twin-turbo engine in “Red Sport 400” specification has 400 horsepower (406 PS) and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm) of torque to offer, figures that should prove troublesome for the high-output 3.0 engine in the Supra.
The biggest question mark looms over the transmission’s type. Is the stick shift going to soldier on? Will Nissan borrow the seven-speed automatic from the Q50 Red Sport 400? This uncertainty also concerns where that suck-squeeze-bang-blow will be channeled. As a brief refresher, Infiniti’s car is all-wheel drive.
While we wait for the Japanese automaker to shed some light on the underpinnings, transportation designer Guillaume Lerouge has rendered the 400Z with utmost attention to detail. His design is based on what Nissan has teased in the video that you can admire at the end of the story, down to the roofline.
Typical of a two-door coupe, the long hood and short deck are complemented by smooth curves and muscular rear haunches. You could even say that Nissan took inspiration from the 240Z and intertwined those styling cues with the 370Z, adding some next-generation sprinkles on top for good measure. The truth of the matter is, the Z35 is actually a make-or-break product for the Japanese company.
Not only does Nissan have a lot of financial troubles to work out, but the segment the 400Z is targeting is the turf of the Supra these days. Comparisons with the C8 Corvette are also inevitable despite the different price points and engine layouts, but then again, there’s no denying the 370Z needs a replacement very badly.
Shown in 2008 at the Los Angeles Auto Show for the 2009 model year, the Z34 currently retails at $30,090 in the United States. The NISMO with the six-speed manual is $45,790, which is $4,200 cheaper than the 3.0-liter Supra.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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