Nissan's product and planning boss for the Americas has already begun thinking about the next Z car, even though it won't arrive until the next decade. The existing Nissan Z was recently refreshed with a revised design and the addition of a six-speed manual for the flagship Nismo variant.
The company is eager to continue updating the existing model while leaning on the Z brand's heritage. A lot of it is going to be heritage-based, according to Ponz Pandikuthira, as Nissan seeks to create special editions that resonate with the past. This approach will keep the animated cycle plan alive, ensuring the Z remains fresh in the market.
Special editions and a manual Nismo are buying time while Nissan figures out what the next generation Z should be. The company is not interested in simply building the Z and then walking away without doing what it can to keep it fresh.
New Zs To Come: You'll see a lot of that animation coming through special versions between now and say the next three years, according to Pandikuthira. These special editions will be crucial in keeping the cycle plan alive, as they will allow Nissan to test new ideas and gauge consumer interest.
The next-generation Z is expected to launch after the new GT-R, which is expected to retain the twin-turbo VR38 engine, but morph into a hybrid. This means that the new Z will have to make sense with what the next generation GT-R looks like, slotting in below where a GT-R would be.
The current Z shares its platform with the old 370Z, albeit equipped with the VR30DDTT engine that premiered in the Infiniti Q50. A future version would greatly benefit from an all-new platform, but given Nissan's financial position and the relatively low sales numbers of the Z, justifying its development could be difficult.
Nissan is taking a cautious approach to the next-generation Z, focusing on creating special editions that resonate with the past while also testing new ideas. This approach will allow the company to gauge consumer interest and make informed decisions about the future of the Z brand.
The next generation Z car will have to balance its heritage with modern technology and innovation. Nissan's product and planning boss for the Americas is already thinking about how this will be achieved, and it seems likely that the new Z will launch after the new GT-R.
Ultimately, the success of the next-generation Z will depend on Nissan's ability to strike a balance between its heritage and modernity. The company must navigate the challenges of creating a car that appeals to both old and new fans of the Z brand.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Nissan approaches the development of its next-generation Z car.
The next-generation Nissan GT-R is expected to retain its twin-turbo VR38 engine, but morph into a hybrid.
