- photos which we believe are of the production version of the new nissan z have leaked on instagram.
- these two cars look similar to the z proto, which was revealed last year, and the production model is expected to be called the 400z.
- it'll be powered by a twin-turbo v-6 with a standard six-speed manual, though the leaked car has the optional automatic.
update 3/23/21 10:50 a.m. et: when asked if these photos are a new z proto with an automatic transmission, a nissan spokesperson responded: "i can only offer you the statement below on the photos floating around":
"as always, it is exciting to see so much enthusiasm surrounding the rebirth of our legendary z. watch for upcoming announcements on nissan’s all-new, next-generation sports car, which will debut later this year."
the nissan z proto was revealed last fall as a production-intent prototype, giving us a glimpse at what the new z-car, which is expected to be called the 400z, will look like. based on the photos shown here, now we know that the car you'll be able to buy will look almost exactly like what we saw a few months ago. these images were originally published on instagram by user @laidoutdc4, although they have since been taken down.
these two 400z sports cars, believed to be final production models, are finished in silver and a dark gray (the proto was shown in bright yellow). they have a similar open rectangular grille as the prototype, but the dark gray model's has chrome trim. other differences from the prototype include larger headlights as well as a set of black wheels, and both cars have a rear decklid spoiler. a black or body-color roof will be available, as seen on both cars, and the z badge on the c-pillar will make its way to production, something that's been on zs of the past.
a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter v-6, a modified version of the engine found in the infiniti q50 and q60, is under the hood. power output is expected to be around 400 horsepower, right over the toyota supra's 382 horses, and it's sent to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission, something the aforementioned competitor doesn't offer yet. the car shown above is equipped with the optional automatic gearbox, and the interior still has the three gauges atop the dash and large screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment.
the 2022 nissan 400z will arrive by the end of the year, and pricing is expected to start mid-$40,000 range right between the cost of the four- and six-cylinder supras.