THE Nissan Z NISMO is back, sleeker and sportier than ever, roaring with power and ready to tackle any track.
Since its introduction in 1969, the Nissan Z has always had a rich history as an iconic sports car. Combine that with NISMO, which is short for Nissan motorsport, and drivers have themselves an exhilarating experience … and Y K Almoayyed & Sons, the sole distributor of Nissan in Bahrain, are even more thrilled about the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO.
“Z NISMO is the ultimate track-ready sports car experience, with targeted enhancements that will excite drivers of all abilities,” said Nissan Bahrain Specialist’s general manager Ahmed Al Dailami.
“The return of this iconic grade to the Nissan Z line-up is a testament to our commitment to delivering thrilling performance to our customers.”
The new 420hp ride, which also consists of 520nm of torque, is available in a Black Diamond Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Passion Red TriCoat, Everest White Pearl TriCoat and NISMO-exclusive Stealth Grey.
The engine’s horsepower enhancements have been achieved through improved cooling, revised electronic waste-gate control providing increased turbocharger boost and turbine speed, and an independent ignition spark timing strategy inspired by the GT-R NISMO.
The exterior has also been improved upon aerodynamically. The front features a styling element called the Grand-Nose or G-Nose, which extends farther forward than on other grades and recalls a similar design treatment on the heritage Nissan Fairlady 240ZG.
The new front fascia also includes a restyled grille that balances the need to reduce drag with permitting cool air to the engine bay. Canards at the car’s front corners create vortexes over the front wheels, further benefiting aerodynamic performance. A subtle red accent runs along the lower edge of the front fascia.
Complementing the G-Nose is a taller, wider rear spoiler with a three-piece design that extends onto the rear fenders. The rear bumper corners are reshaped to aid with air separation and reduced drag, inspired by that on GT-R NISMO.
Z NISMO’s redesigned side sills also help reduce aerodynamic drag and lift.
Above the window line, Z NISMO features a dark metallic gray version of the car’s signature katana-blade styling element. Additionally, it has a black-painted roof and gloss black 19-inch RAYS wheels.
The interior cabin has carefully been enhanced as well, including red-anodised engine-start and drive mode buttons, manual-adjust Recaro seats and a leather and Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a red marker at the 12 o’clock position.
Z NISMO exclusively uses a nine-speed automatic transmission that has been improved for faster and more dynamic shifting performance, with a particular focus on suitability for track use.
It includes revised clutch packs allowing for faster shifting and a revised engine management software. Its transmission has reduced downshift time by almost half too. Launch control delivers more aggressive standing-start acceleration and there is also more dynamic shifting with a new Sport+ mode.
It is designed to be so responsive for performance driving that a driver does not need to use the shift paddles on track – though fast-responding manual shifting is always available.
NISMO-enhanced brakes, suspension, body rigidity and more aggressive tyres also contribute to track performance.
Every element of the car’s suspension to optimise precision, predictability and cornering grip have been revised, with unique stabiliser bars, a stiffer spring rate and larger, retuned dampers.
To deliver maximum road feel and traction, Z NISMO wears Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tyres, a version of which are also used on GT-R. The rear tyres measure 10mm wider.
The tyres are fitted to lightweight, NISMO-specific, gloss black RAYS 19-inch wheels. Although the wheels are 0.5 inch wider than the 19-inch wheels on Nissan Z, their advanced construction means the NISMO-specific wheels are slightly lighter.
Engineers also enhanced the Z NISMO braking system, upgrading the front brakes to larger, 15.0-inch rotors matched to 13.8-inch rear brake rotors, and equipping a more performance-focused brake pad compound to improve Z’s impressive brake pedal feel and braking performance in extended track use scenarios.
All 2024 Nissan Z models include a range of standard driver assistance and safety technologies, 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.