Nissan Z NISMO Returns For 2024
There’s nothing to not like about Nissan’s newest Z except, perhaps, the lack of a NISMO variant. That changes for 2024, as the Japanese automaker looks to build on the performance of the Nissan Z’s Sport and Performance models, which boast 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque from the Z’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6.
Nissan is clearly hoping its newest track toy can help juice the redesigned Nissan Z sales, which numbered 966 units in the first half of 2023. That compares to the 25,471 Ford Mustangs, 17,337 Chevrolet Camaros, 1,621 Toyota Supras and 1,122 BMW Z4s sold during the same period, according to Automotive News.
NISMO, a primer
NISMO stands for NISsan MOtorsports. Its story starts in 1964, when the Prince Motor Co. shoehorned the the 2.0-liter 6-cylinder engine from the Gloria luxury sedan into a Nissan Skyline. With a vastly increased power-to-weight ratio, they had created the Prince Skyline 2000GT, which competed in its first race just two days later. While first place went to a Porsche 904, the Skyline took second through sixth place. NIssan bought the company two years later.
But Nissans’ motorsports efforts remain divided between factory and private efforts, not being united under the NISMO badge until 1984. In 1986, NISMO enters the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and its reputation was assured.
There’s more power, of course
Ordering a 2024 Nissan Z NISMO increases those numbers up to 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque available from 2,000 through 5,200 rpm, according to Nissan. And while 20 hp and 34 lb-ft may not sound like much, any chance to go faster in a sports car is welcome.
Through improved cooling, updated electronic wastegate management to increase turbocharger boost and turbine speed, and an independent ignition spark timing setup based on the GT-R NISMO Z, engineers were able to raise the engine’s horsepower. Given that, it’s no surprise that the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO is fitted with an enhanced engine oil cooler for extended track time.
Like other Nissan Zs, premium fuel is recommended.
Sounds great, right?
However …
Well, performance fans will be disappointed that this driveline comes standard with an enhanced version of the Z’s 9-speed automatic transmission rather than its 6-speed manual. That said, launch control is standard, and the 9-speed has been augmented with revised clutch packs that work in concert with revised engine management software to allow for faster shifting. Nissan says that downshift time is reduced nearly 50% compared to Z Performance trim.
As you’d expect, the 9-speed transmission in the Z NISMO has Normal and Sport driving modes, in addition to a new Sport+ drive mode that is said to deliver a more dynamic, racetrack-tuned shift program for circuit driving. Nissan claims the shifts come so quickly, drivers won’t have to use the Z NISMO’s paddle shifters.
Beyond power
But a NISMO’s goodness goes beyond mere bumps in horsepower, and the same is true of this one.
Engineers fitted unique stabilizer bars, stiffened the spring rate and added larger, retuned dampers with an eye towards tuning the Z NISMO to deliver accurate steering with a minimum of effort. Aiding and abetting the retuned suspension are Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 285/35R19s, which are 10 millimeters wider than those worn by the Z Performance. They’re paired with NISMO-specific, gloss black RAYS 1.9-inch wheels that are lighter than those found on other Zs.
Nissan increased the Z NISMO’s torsional rigidity by 2.5% by adding bracing to further stiffen the chassis. They also stiffened the front and rear suspension bushings, as well as the mounting bushing for the steering rack to improve lateral rigidity.
And you’d expected better brakes, and Nissan delivered by upgrading the front brakes to 15-inch rotors and the rear brakes to 13.8-inch rear brake rotors. Engineers also specified a more performance-focused brake pad compound given the car’s track focus.
Other upgrades
All of this additional performance is further enhanced by wardrobe enhancements that improve track performance as well as look good. Its front end has been reworked to incorporate what Nissan calls the Grand Nose, which extends farther forward than other Zs and is designed to recall the Nissan Fairlady ZG.
It also gets a reworked grille with the thinnest honeycomb mesh of any Nissan production carto reduce aerodynamic drag. Designers also improved aerodynamic performance by placing design elements at the car’s front corners, which produce vortices above the front wheels.
A red accent runs along the lower edge of the front and rear fascia, finishing its look. Speaking of the rear, the Z NISMO wears a wider three-piece spoiler along with redesigned side sills and a reshaped rear bumper that helps air separation and decreases drag.
Inside, Recaro seats sport a red center and are finished in an Alcantara and leather finish, with NISMO insignias embroidered into the headrests. A redesigned leather and Alcantara steering sports a red accent mark at its top to assist the driver while exercising the Z NISMO on the track.
For 2024, the Z NISMO gets Amazon Alexa Built-in connectivity, and a special digital instrument cluster with a red outline around the tachometer, a NISMO logo and a special start-up animation.
And it comes with a host of driver assistance systems, including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind-Spot Warning, Lane-Departure Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, High-Beam Assist and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.
The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO launches in the fall marks the launch of the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO, with pricing details to be released at a later, unspecified time. Currently, base prices for the 2023 Nissan Z range from $40,990 to $53,990, not including a $1,095 shipping and handling charge or any options or sales taxes.
While the newest NISMO is welcome, it remains to be seen whether the lack of a manual transmission will hurt sales. Obviously, Nissan doesn’t think so.
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