Nissan’s hotly anticipated new generation of the Z sports car has been previewed with the Z Proto – a prototype with a twin-turbo V6 and manual gearbox.
However, there’s bad news for the UK and mainland Europe: the as-yet-unnamed new model won’t be offered for sale here. In a statement sent to Autocar, Nissan cited a “shrinking European sports car market and specific regulations on emissions” as the reasons why it was “unable to build a viable business case” for the car’s European release.
The Z Proto plays on the sporting sub-brand’s 50-year history, with a silhouette that “communicates respect for the original model”, the 240Z. The launch car’s yellow pearlescent paint is a tribute to the first-generation Z as well as the Z32-gen 300ZX of the 1990s.
Nissan also cites retro references in the bonnet profile and teardrop-shaped LED headlights – the latter meant to conjure up the Japan-only 240ZG of the 1970s. The link to the original Z is clearest in side profile, with the long bonnet and cab-back proportions. The 300ZX references reappear in the design of the tail-lights.
However, it’s not all backward-looking. Details such as the rectangular front grille, 19in alloy wheels and carbonfibre side skirts aim to modernise the look.
The bootlid appears to feature a Fairlady Z badge – a name used for the original in Japan and the US. It’s possible that name will be used for the production car, but Nissan claims it simply represents the prototype’s name in Japan.
At 4382mm long, 1850mm wide and 1310mm tall, the Z Proto is 142mm longer than the outgoing 370Z but no wider and slightly lower.
The blend of old and new continues inside, where Nissan claims the Z Proto “seamlessly blends modern technology with vintage Z touches”. Input from racing drivers helped ensure a clear driver focus for the major controls and 12.3in digital instrument display.
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The phrase "Shut up and take
The phrase "Shut up and take my money" came to mind when I saw this Nissan Z Proto. Good job Nissan, just make the concept for real.
The japs are deserting the UK
From the article it's not
From the article it's not just about emissions, it's also about the shrinking market for sports cars in Europe.
This is supported to some extent by looking at the comments that appear against sports cars here - for every single one, people have a Top-Trumps reason not to buy it - the gearing is too long, there's no manual gearbox, it doesn't have enough cylinders, the infotainment isn't good enough. It's rare that the objection has anything to do with having actually tried one, which suggests that the people commenting were never in the market anyway.
To some extent it's a shame that this leaves us with no new Z in Europe, and a Supra that's heavily based on a BMW, but you can't blame a manufacturer (or the EU) for people not buying sports cars.