Although we had known for more than a year that the summer of 2023 would be hotter than a supernova seen from a mile away for Nissan Z fans of the Nismo variety, we honestly didn't expect this: Forsberg, drifts, donuts, and the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo lacking any camouflage!
More than a year ago, the rumor mill caught wind of a fantastic Nissan story in development at Nismo that described yet another version for the aging R35 Nissan GT-R supercar and the potential introduction of the hotly-anticipated 2024 Nissan Z Nismo during the summer of 2023. As it turns out, everything panned out – the 2024 Nissan GT-R is out and about for some time already from $120,990 if you want the Premium guise, $140,990 for the returning T-spec grade, or no less than $220,990 for the Nismo trim. And now, spot on with the start of summer shenanigans, we also have the official reveal of the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo. Well, sort of.
We are looking at a pre-production model, and the one on sale later this summer might be slightly different. But the glorious thing is that Nissan started the teaser campaign with the Z Nismo featuring absolutely no hint of camouflage. Basically, what we see in the teaser video embedded below is probably 99.99% of what customers will get when deliveries start across nationwide dealerships. And I bet the marketing guys and gals are patting themselves on the back for a job well done – taking the red-carpet spotlight off Toyota Gazoo Racing's recent announcement of a trio of special editions, the 2024 GR Corolla Circuit Edition, 2024 GR86 Trueno, and 2024 GR Supra 45th Anniversary flagship.
Well, well, I bet that things will heat up when Toyota fans oppose their deep-orange Mikan Blast or the ice-cold Absolute Zero GR Supra 45th Anniversary to the dark gray with crimson accents 2024 Nissan Z Nismo – on and off the nation's tracks. Until then, nobody will have the chance to tell the story about how the all-new Z Nismo feels aside from three-time Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg. As it turns out, he was the one putting through the paces, the example seen in the video embedded below. And while it's done in traditional quick-cut-to-next-angle teaser video style, we still get to see enough of the exterior and interior of the upcoming sports, as well as even take a peek at what's hiding under the hood – a reinforced 3.0-liter VR30DDTT twin-turbo V6 engine, of course.
As far as we can tell, the exterior modifications have the usual Nismo flair – they're subtle yet impactful. Moving inside, not much has changed, save for some crucial stuff in the right places – like the red-and-black lightweight and thin Nismo-branded Recaro bucket seats. As for the powertrain, we really, really hope that the Nismo wizards have found some time to blast a few more ponies inside the 2023 Z's standard mill that currently has 400 horsepower. How about 450 or even 500 of them possibly entering a quarter-mile and time attack track debate with the S650 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, as well?
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News