The next Nissan Z is a much more powerful successor to the 370Z! – To be called the 400Z?

4 weeks back Nissan had unveiled their new brand and ‘Z’ logo, and since then there has been a lot of buzz about the new ‘Z’ car. And while Nissan is under a lot of pressure due to the Covid-19 effect, it is not laying off it’s plans so soon.

It was being rumoured that the 370Z will be updated and brought out as a facelift by the end of this year, whereas some reports suggested that the 370Z will not be updated, and instead a more powerful car would be introduced.

It seems that the latter rumour is the correct one, as the 400Z will be taking over from the 370Z. The 400Z will have a lot of pressure and it is expected to, as being a ‘Z’ car in Nissan’s stable is not easy. There is a lot of history attached to the Z line-up, and I cannot wait to find out if the 400Z is able to capable of carrying the Z name forward.

Fun fact – the Z line up cars till date were named on the basis of their engine displacements, for example, the 350Z was called so because it used a 3.5 litre engine, same for the 370Z as well.

However, times are changing, we are in 2020 now, and things are bound to change (should they though?), and the 400Z will not be continuing this custom. It is being said that the 400Z would be powered by a 3.0 liter twin turbo V6, which will make the 400Z much more powerful than its predecessor 370Z. Perhaps the horsepower of this engine would be 400, thereby earning it its name?

The engine which is said to power the 400Z is the same engine which is used by Infiniti’s Q60, and the Q60 by no means is a slow car.

The Q60 is capable of accelerating from naught to 62 mph in just 5 seconds, and the very same engine is used by the 400Z.

However, the Q60 weighs 4,023 pounds, and surely Nissan cannot have such a heavy Z vehicle, therefore it can be expected that the 400Z uses lighter body metals like aluminium or carbon fibre, and it will probably also ditch the all wheel drive system from the Q60.

A manual transmission is expected to be offered because that is how most old school Z fans like their cars, and an automatic transmission would also be provided as an option.

The 400Z will be be receiving updates on the inside, as many people have criticised the 370Z about its dull and basic interiors which look quite dated. A digital display on the instrument panel, an infotainment system beyond just a regular touchscreen would be welcome.

This is not all, Nismo, Nissan’s performance brand is working on building a car, faster and better than the 400Z, maybe even a car that would pump out 500ps thereby giving it a name like 500Z, who knows?

However, one thing is for sure, the 400Z is official and it is coming. It could be here by next year, but with Covid 19 around, one can never be certain about dates anymore. When the 400Z does release, it will take on its direct competitor,the Toyota Supra and Porsche Cayman S.

These compact sized performance cars will take one another on, and I cannot wait to witness them sparring with each other.