There were mixed feelings regarding the resurgence of the sports car Nissan Z, since we were unable to enjoy the model in Europe. However, with a face-lift, and renewed passion for ‘heart beat’ models in Nissan, this should not last long, because the Z is heading to Europe, possibly even the UK, to cash in on the absence of the Porsche Cayman and the Toyota Supra.
Nissan Europe’s bosses have overturned the original plan, which excluded the new generation of Z from reaching their market due to concerns about emissions and noise levels. “We need some exciting things for the brand,” explained Nissan Europe chairman, Max Messina. “And we will do them fast.”
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Face-lifted versions of the Z, set to go into production this summer, feature minimal visual upgrades, including a revised front bumper design, 19 inch wheel styling, and a Nissan emblem swapped for the Z graphic logo on the bonnet. Performance-wise, the 414bhp Nismo Z gets an impressive list of updates.
Centrepiece of the upgrades are six-speed short-shifting manual transmission for the Nismo Z that earlier offered only the nine-speed automatic gearbox. Nismo has fine-tuned the throttle mapping, ignition system, sound systems, and power steering system and equipped it with lighter Akebono brakes from the GT-R.
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Assessment of the European case for the Z car will be the responsibility of Clíodhna Lyons, who is the vice president overseeing product development and competitiveness in the region. “We’ve got some absolutely brilliant products in the global portfolio, and we have plenty of heritage and credibility in several niches such as supercar, Z, frame/off-road. It’s good for us if we have more customers enjoying these vehicles,” she said.
Let us hope that the 395bhp Z and the Nismo version pass muster; for now, the only model in the lineup in Europe is the electric Ariya SUV, while the Patrol, X-Trail, and small Note Aura hatchback (which has a 4WD e-Power range-extending hybrid) are available elsewhere. The Ariya benefits from an impressive upgrade of 128 horsepower, pushing its output up to 429bhp, enabling a 5-second run from zero to 62mph.
“With Nismo and the new powertrain technologies, there really needs to be credible differences,” said Lyons. “We needed to be 100 per cent certain that it was a vehicle which was worthy of carrying the Nismo badge, everything that went into the Nismo badge – ride and handling, performance, and exhilaration. The Ariya Nismo is an indication that we haven’t forgotten our love for Nismo, and that we will keep on looking to the future.”
Nissan says it aims to increase Nismo production from five models to 10 worldwide, while increasing its volumes to 150,000 units by 2028, a rise of 50 percent. 60 percent of these sales are expected to be made outside Japan.
But launching high-end sports cars in Europe is not an easy task because it operates in one of the most regulated environments in the world and risks heavy penalties for each decision that is taken. It also involves prioritisation because a decade ago, car manufacturers were able to serve over 80 percent of their target audience using just three powertrain solutions, whereas now the figure is twice as much, Lyons pointed out.
