The 2024 Nissan Z Nismo now delivers positive downforce and is even better on a track
by Brad Anderson
3 hours ago
The world asked for it and the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo is finally here, bringing additional performance to the already-impressive sports car and a more striking look that is bound to get enthusiasts excited. While U.S. pricing has not been announced, we know that the Z Nismo will go on sale this fall.
Nissan’s suite of upgrades start on the aerodynamic front where it proudly boasts that the Z Nismo produces “positive downforce” thanks to a series of new components. These include a revised front bumper and splitter package known as the ‘Grand-Nose’ or ‘G-Nose’ that extends farther forward and takes design inspiration from the Faily 240ZG. The new bumper also has canards at each corner of the bumper to create vortexes over the front wheels.
The changes continue along the sides where there are new sills to reduce drag and lift as well as a more pronounced lip spoiler that extends onto the rear fenders. Nissan’s engineers have also revised the rear bumper to reduce drag. A set of unique 19-inch Rays wheels finished in gloss black have also been developed for the car. Buyers will be able to order the car in either Black Diamond Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Passion Red TriCoat, Everest White Pearl TriCoast and Stealth Grey.
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As expected, Nissan has also implemented upgrades to improve the car’s handling. For example, there are new stabilizer bars, a stiffer spring rate and larger, retuned dampers. A set of new Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT600 tires also come standard and measure 285/35 at the rear axle, making them 10 mm wider than the regular Z Performance. The aforementioned 19-inch wheels are 10 inches wide at the front and 10.5 inches wide at the rear but are slightly lighter than the Z’s standard wheels. Further boosting the car’s performance is additional front, rear and rear underfloor bracing as well as stiffer front and rear suspension bushings. The steering rack also features a stiffer mounting bushing.
Driven: The New Nissan Z Is Exactly What We Were Hoping For
On the engine front, Nissan has improved cooling for the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 while also revising the electronic wastegate control to increase turbocharger boost and turbine speed. The engine delivers 420 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, noteworthy increases of 20 hp and 34 lb-ft over the standard model. An improved engine oil cooler also comes standard.
It’s not all good news, however. As rumors had indicated, Nissan has developed the Z Nismo to exclusively use a nine-speed automatic transmission, meaning the six-speed manual of the standard model isn’t an option. For what it’s worth, Nissan says the nine-speed auto has revised clutch packs and improved engine management software that cuts downshift times by almost 50%. A launch control system has also been added and there is a Sport+ drive mode with a racetrack-tuned shift program.
Rounding out the changes made to the Nissan Z Nismo are red engine start/stop and drive mode buttons, revised graphics for the digital instrument cluster, Recaro seats trimmed in leather and Alcantara and a new steering wheel also wrapped in leather and Alcantara.
