To some manufacturers, the manual transmission sportscar is dead. But to Nissan – who is currently reinvigorating its automotive lineup – its a surge into the future by recalling the past. They have just announced their newest sportscar, the “Z” (2023 model year). And it comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission (optional 9-speed automatic), front engine rear drive configuration, and 3-liter v6 twin turbo. This is the first time in a just under 20 years that a Z car would have forced induction, as the 350z introduced in 2002 was a naturally aspirated 3.5 liter v6.

The new car isn’t down on power at all, despite the smaller engine. The twin turbos give it a whopping 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. More than enough, in our opinion, to take the yet undeclared weight to some law breaking speeds if need be. Nissan says its 15% faster from 0-60MPH than the 370z. (Please follow the rules of the road.)

The design aspect of the new Z, which is the official name – no numbers before the letter, is a bit of a mix of the original 240z frontend while it has a bit of the 300zx rear taillights. To us, it looks more 350z in front with a bit of a headlight mix with the 240z. Either way, its very clearly a Nissan Z design.

Inside the cabin you’re greeted with a new 12.3 inch dashboard digital screen, driver oriented controls, and a center dash mounted triple analog gauges for engine monitoring. For in-car entertainment you get a standard 8-inch touchscreen which supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and comes with 6 speakers. Z Performance gets 8 speaker Bose Audio, 9-inch touchscreen car entertainment, a mechanical LSD, aluminum pedals, and sport muffler.

Alongside the new Z which comes in Sport and Performance variants of Red, Black, and Blue, there will be a limited edition Z Proto which comes in yellow and has unique yellow stitching on the dashboard and seats.

There is also an optional 9-speed Automatic Transmission with paddle shifters.

Estimated to be around US$40,000 (PHP 2M+ straight conversion) or so, it will compete against the Toyota GR Supra for a high end, RWD sportscar – despite the latter only being available in auto transmission. It’ll arrive in showrooms in the US and other countries in Spring 2022.

No word if it’ll be launched in the Philippines though. Keep in mind Nissan Philippines do sell the current 370z for an estimated PHP 2.8M and the GT-R R35 for about PHP 9M.

Nissan Z 2023 – Est. US$40,000

• VR30DDTT 3.0L V-6 Twin Turbo
• 400HP
• 350 lb-ft Torque @ 5,600 rpm
• 6-speed manual / 9-speed automatic with paddle shifters
• Brakes:
  • Front ventilated discs w/ 4-piston aluminum calipers
  • Rear ventilated discs with 2-piston aluminum calipers
• 172.4 x 72.6 x 51.8 inches
• 110.4 inches wheelbase
• 18 or 19 inch wheels

For more information on the new 2023 Nissan Z, check out their announcement here.