Nissan Z

Like the previous-generation 370Z, the cabin of the Nissan Z also looks funky and premium, and now gets a few new features which were absent in its predecessor. The dual-tone cabin of the Nissan Z, which is offered in the choices of Graphite Leather with Synthetic Suede and Red Leather with Synthetic Suede, makes the cabin look sporty.

The new-generation features like the 12.3-inch full-TFT instrument console and the slanted 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system add much-needed newness to the cabin. The engulfing design for the middle layer of the dashboard enhances its width, while the three performance analogue gauges placed at the top of the centre console add sportiness to the whole cabin. There are more features which grace the cabin of the Nissan Z, such as powered and heated front seats, aluminium pedals, 8-speaker BOSE audio system. However, going with the trend, we would have loved to see more new-generation features in the Z.

Filling in the shoes of the already-dramatic-looking 370Z was not an easy job for the Nissan Z, but the sports coupe has done that job pretty effectively. The design of the Z is a mix of retro design elements and new-generation bits, which make it an attention-grabbing thing on wheels.

At the front, the Nissan Z has a well-contoured bonnet, which flows down towards the minimalist-looking fascia. The corners of the front profile have bird-eye-shaped all-LED headlamps, which come with LED daytime running lights shaped in the form of arcs. The front bumper has a rather clean design with a rectangular air dam in the middle.

The 370Z inspiration can be clearly seen in the side profile of the all-new Nissan Z, which comes with a dramatically sloping roofline towards the rear. The two-door look and the 19-inch alloy wheels give the Z a very desirable look. The traditional elements of the Z family, like vertical door handles and chrome garnish over the upper window frame, make the Nissan Z look unique.

At the back, the Nissan Z ditches the boomerang-shaped tail lamps for a more conventional-looking set of tail lamps, which have horizontal LED inserts placed within a gloss black housing stretching from end to end across the boot lid. The dramatically-sloping roofline accommodates the angular windscreen, while the gloss black rear diffuser houses the twin exhaust ports.

Nissan has fine-tuned the suspension setup of the Z, which is a combination of subframe aluminium with suspension front alloy-aluminium wishbone-D at the front and rame steel with suspension rear steel and alloy-aluminium link-M at the rear. While there are not many electronic driving and suspension modes and settings on offer, the Z offers a spirited driving experience behind the wheel.

The only engine option with which the Nissan Z is available in the UAE is a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, which is offered with both the choices of a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 9-speed automatic transmission. With both gearbox choices, the Nissan Z claims a maximum power output of 400 bhp and a maximum torque output of 475 Nm.

The Nissan Z is loaded with safety features, the list of which includes launch control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, traction control and hill start assist.

The Nissan Z is a worthy successor to the 370 Z in terms of visual appeal and driving mannerisms, and while we believe that it could have had more comfort and convenience features, the original essence of the 370Z has remained intact in this new-era sports car.