The Nissan 370Z was introduced over a decade ago,
but it appears work has finally begun on a successor. While there isn’t much to see,
spy photographers snapped a test mule on the Nürburgring where it was being
benchmarked against the 2020 Toyota GR Supra.
Since the model is still in the early stages of the
development, it doesn’t look terribly special as a majority of the body parts
and components carryover from the current 370Z. However, engineers are clearly
focused on cooling as the front bumper has been equipped with extra air
intakes.
Virtually nothing is known about the car, but
Nissan’s global product planning boss used the Tokyo Motor Show to announce we
can expect to hear something about the 370Z and GT-R soon. He didn’t elaborate,
but said the models are “at the heart of Nissan and we are actively looking at
and working on them.”
While the automaker was coy on specifics, rumors
have been flying around for years. Everything should be taken with a grain of
salt, but previous reports have suggested the car will be twinned with the
next-generation Infiniti Q60. The two models are rumored to share the same
platform and engine options. That makes sense and the Nissan 350Z and Infiniti
G37 Coupe followed a similar strategy.
If the rumors are to be believed, the production model
could be called the Z400 and be slightly larger than the current car. It will
reportedly be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces around
400 hp. There have also been rumors about all-wheel drive and
a new Nismo variant, but that’s just speculation at this point.
There have also been conflicting reports about
whether or not the next-generation Z will be offered as a roadster. The 370Z
Roadster was dropped in the United States for 2020 as the company wanted to
focus on sales of the coupe. Nissan should confirm plans for a new Z shortly but, in the meantime,
speculation suggests the model could be launched as early as 2021.
