Photo: Nissan / edited
Teased mere days ago with professional drifter Chris Forsberg behind the steering wheel, the all-new Z NISMO isn't coming with a manual transmission. Only a nine-speed automatic will have to suffice, most likely the JATCO-supplied JR913E.
JR913E is Nissan's way of saying 9G-Tronic automatic transmission produced under license from German automaker Mercedes-Benz. This gearbox is currently used by a number of Nissan vehicles, including the Titan and Frontier trucks.
Why didn't Nissan bother with a manual for the Z NISMO, though? For starters, plenty of wheel spin makes the row-your-own Z difficult to launch. Alternatively, the take-up rate for the three-pedal setup may not be good enough. We also have to remember that manuals are slowly but steadily going the way of the dodo in every segment, including high-performance automobiles. BMW, for example, intends to discontinue manuals from its full-on M vehicles by the end of the decade. The M2, which is due to end production in 2029, is believed to be the final M vehicle with an available manual gearbox.
Expected to be undressed of its secrets by the end of August, the 2024 model year Nissan Z NISMO has a single rival to prove itself against. That rival is – of course – the Toyota GR Supra with the BMW-supplied B58 inline-six powerplant.
The basis of the S58 engine in the M2 is often referred to as the modern-day 2JZ because of its durability and tunability. In the GR Supra, it produces a respectable 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet (make that 500 Nm) of torque. By comparison, the Z uses a V6 with one additional turbocharger to its name. In this application, the VR30DDTT belts out 400 horsepower on the nose and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm) at full chatter.
Output numbers for the Z NISMO are open for debate because the VR30DDTT's most potent tune is that used for the Z. One can imagine 450 ponies at the crankshaft with ease, although it remains to be seen how much Nissan is willing to push this engine for the new-for-2024 Z NISMO. It's also worth noting that a torque-converter automatic may have been the only tranny for the NISMO in the first place if we're dealing with a huge bump in torque the manual simply cannot withstand.
Teased with red exterior and interior accents, the hi-po version features Recaro buckets for good measure. While not a big departure from the Z, the NISMO is certain to be faster in a straight line and on the racetrack. But alas, the lack of a stick shift will surely put off a number of prospective customers.
Those customers will inevitably consider the GR Supra as the alternative to the auto-only Z NISMO. As a brief refresher, Toyota went to great lengths to develop the manual option for the GR Supra. Both off-the-shelf and custom-built parts were used for this gearbox, which employs a 200-gram knob for the shifter. Last but certainly not least, can you believe that Toyota had to modify the center console as well?
Why didn't Nissan bother with a manual for the Z NISMO, though? For starters, plenty of wheel spin makes the row-your-own Z difficult to launch. Alternatively, the take-up rate for the three-pedal setup may not be good enough. We also have to remember that manuals are slowly but steadily going the way of the dodo in every segment, including high-performance automobiles. BMW, for example, intends to discontinue manuals from its full-on M vehicles by the end of the decade. The M2, which is due to end production in 2029, is believed to be the final M vehicle with an available manual gearbox.
Expected to be undressed of its secrets by the end of August, the 2024 model year Nissan Z NISMO has a single rival to prove itself against. That rival is – of course – the Toyota GR Supra with the BMW-supplied B58 inline-six powerplant.
The basis of the S58 engine in the M2 is often referred to as the modern-day 2JZ because of its durability and tunability. In the GR Supra, it produces a respectable 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet (make that 500 Nm) of torque. By comparison, the Z uses a V6 with one additional turbocharger to its name. In this application, the VR30DDTT belts out 400 horsepower on the nose and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm) at full chatter.
Output numbers for the Z NISMO are open for debate because the VR30DDTT's most potent tune is that used for the Z. One can imagine 450 ponies at the crankshaft with ease, although it remains to be seen how much Nissan is willing to push this engine for the new-for-2024 Z NISMO. It's also worth noting that a torque-converter automatic may have been the only tranny for the NISMO in the first place if we're dealing with a huge bump in torque the manual simply cannot withstand.
Teased with red exterior and interior accents, the hi-po version features Recaro buckets for good measure. While not a big departure from the Z, the NISMO is certain to be faster in a straight line and on the racetrack. But alas, the lack of a stick shift will surely put off a number of prospective customers.
Those customers will inevitably consider the GR Supra as the alternative to the auto-only Z NISMO. As a brief refresher, Toyota went to great lengths to develop the manual option for the GR Supra. Both off-the-shelf and custom-built parts were used for this gearbox, which employs a 200-gram knob for the shifter. Last but certainly not least, can you believe that Toyota had to modify the center console as well?
If the new Nismo Z is indeed automatic only, it would show such a misunderstanding of the sports car market by Nissan. I’m hoping it’s not true. pic.twitter.com/wXHPPwUoGb
— Jared Rosenholtz (@jar_rosenholtz) June 23, 2023
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