The Nissan Z made a splash when it first appeared late last year. The stylish coupe helped breathe new life into a nameplate that was suffering from stagnation and the effects of power creep as rivals surpassed it in performance and technology. However, our brief drive with the Z also had us wondering what would happen if the model got more power and some of the unique benefits that come from the Nismo package. The Japanese auto giant has delivered the answer with the all-new 2024 Nissan Z Nismo.
Tweaked Z Nismo Styling Hides Track Ready Potential
The core shape and character of the Z Nismo carry over largely unchanged, but Nismo models get a new front and rear bumper with bigger side skirts and a stylish rear spoiler added to the package. Nissan reps claim that the longer nose is partially inspired by the 240ZG model sold in Japan, and when you view the pair side by side, you do see a slight resemblance though the Nismo thankfully doesn’t go too overboard in its attempts to mimic the past. Nissan claims that all the modifications are meant to reduce aerodynamic drag, and that will help the Nismo be quicker around a good race course. A slick set of Rays 19-inch black alloy wheels help improve its presence when it’s spending time parked.
The interior gets a red and black color scheme with Alcantara inserts being infused into the Recaro sport seats. The material is also infused into the steering wheel, and the digital instrument cluster gets a model-exclusive startup animation as well as a Nismo logo and red-tinged trim. The changes here in the interior are balanced and we’re glad that Nissan kept the core ergonomics intact to help customers maintain familiarity when they slip behind the wheel of the Z Nismo for the first time.
V6 Performance Makes Z Nismo A Sharper Instrument
Performance for the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo comes from the familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that powers the standard model, but Nismo engineers have made several upgrades that help bump performance up to 420 horsepower. A nine-speed automatic is the sole transmission here, but that’s no big deal since this Z gets Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600s which are similar to the sticky shoes worn by the GT-R.
The suspension has also been heavily reworked, while the brakes are enhanced with bigger 15.3-inch rotors up front and slightly smaller 13.8-inch discs at the rear. Nissan also added a new Sport+ driving mode to help the car take full advantage of the power with altered shift programming, also helping buyers soak up the power and torque longer.
When Can I Buy One?
The 2024 Z Nismo is slated to go on sale later this fall. The company is not ready to reveal pricing just yet, but confirmed that buyers would have a choice of five colors: Brilliant Silver, Passion Red Tricoat, Black Diamond Pearl, Everest White Pearl Tricoat, and Stealth Grey. That last color is exclusive to the Nismo and cannot be equipped to other Z models.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.