In May 2020, Nissan revealed plans to produce a new Z car. ==History== Nissan was a relatively small automaker when it entered the international market in the 1960s and partnered with Yamaha to design a new sports car prototype to update the Nissan Fairlady.
It resulted in the prototype Yamaha YX-30 from 1961.
By 1964, Nissan realized that Yamaha's DOHC 2.0-liter engine was not meeting Nissan's expectations and the project was scrapped.
Nissan also had the engineering background and product development experience with the recently acquired Prince Motor Company, which manufactured the Prince Skyline that was later renamed Nissan Skyline in 1966. ===First generation: Nissan Fairlady Z and Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z=== Sales of the Nissan Z-cars (internally also called S30 or Z29) started in October 1969 (for the 1970 model year), with separate versions for the Japanese and U.S.
The Nissan Z-cars are a model series of sports cars that have been manufactured by Nissan Motors Ltd, in six generations, since 1969. The original Z was sold from October 1969 in Japan, as the , at Nissan Exhibition dealerships that previously sold the Nissan Bluebird.
Nissan also had the engineering background and product development experience with the recently acquired Prince Motor Company, which manufactured the Prince Skyline that was later renamed Nissan Skyline in 1966. ===First generation: Nissan Fairlady Z and Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z=== Sales of the Nissan Z-cars (internally also called S30 or Z29) started in October 1969 (for the 1970 model year), with separate versions for the Japanese and U.S.
However, Yutaka Katayama ensured the American version had all Nissan, Fairlady Z, and 432 badging replaced with "Datsun" and prevented all dealer shipments until they were replaced. The 240Z was released in America on October 22, 1969.
The convention is put together each year by a host club and supported by the ZCCA (Z Car Club Association). ==References== ==External links== Datsun Sports Roadster and Fairlady (フェアレディ) Racing History Classic Z Register Datsun History Z Car Club Association The Classic Zcar Club Z Cars introduced in 1969 1970s cars 1980s cars 1990s cars 2000s cars 2010s cars 2020s cars Sports cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Retro-style automobiles
Nissan also had the engineering background and product development experience with the recently acquired Prince Motor Company, which manufactured the Prince Skyline that was later renamed Nissan Skyline in 1966. ===First generation: Nissan Fairlady Z and Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z=== Sales of the Nissan Z-cars (internally also called S30 or Z29) started in October 1969 (for the 1970 model year), with separate versions for the Japanese and U.S.
Combining good looks, and powerful performance, it sold over 45,000 units through the '71 model year and over 50,000 and 40,000 in 1972 and 1973, respectively. The 260Z was released in 1974.
Combining good looks, and powerful performance, it sold over 45,000 units through the '71 model year and over 50,000 and 40,000 in 1972 and 1973, respectively. The 260Z was released in 1974.
Combining good looks, and powerful performance, it sold over 45,000 units through the '71 model year and over 50,000 and 40,000 in 1972 and 1973, respectively. The 260Z was released in 1974.
Engine power increased to , except for most areas of the U.S., where power decreased to (SAE net horsepower) due to new camshafts, carburetors, and lower compression, that were introduced to comply with new US emissions regulations. The 280Z was released in 1975 for North America only (not to be confused with the second-generation 280ZX) and featured a further engine displacement increase, to 2.8 L.
Export markets outside North America however kept receiving the Datsun 260Z, until the introduction of the Datsun 280ZX in late 1978. ===Second generation: Nissan Fairlady 280ZX (S130/Z30)=== Known as the Datsun/Nissan 280ZX in export markets, the car continued to use the "Fairlady" moniker in the Japanese domestic market where 2-litre inline-six engines were also available and were first introduced in 1978.
Major changes for this new generation of Z-cars include t-tops, introduced in 1980, and a turbocharged model introduced in 1981, complementing the naturally aspirated (NA) 2-seater and NA 2+2 models.
Major changes for this new generation of Z-cars include t-tops, introduced in 1980, and a turbocharged model introduced in 1981, complementing the naturally aspirated (NA) 2-seater and NA 2+2 models.
A turbo option was introduced in 1981, bringing performance surpassing that of the original 240Z. The third generation, the 300ZX, switched to a 3.0 L V6.
In 1983, Nissan first offered the 300ZX in Japan.
This would continue with the third generation of Z-car, with a clean-sheet redesign that would take the Z-car to further heights. ===Third generation: Nissan 300ZX (Z31, First Model)=== The Z-car was completely redesigned in 1984, and introduced Nissan's new series of 3.0-liter V6 engine, dubbed the VG series.
All US-market 1984 model Nissan vehicles carried both Datsun and Nissan nameplates.
The 1984 Models can technically be considered the only year of the "Datsun 300ZX".
The 1984 300ZX 50th Anniversary Edition was released in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary year.
There were two generations of the 300ZX: the Z31 from 1984 to 1989, and the Z32 from 1990 to 1996.
He also helped to promote the car, even by starring in a series of commercials. In 1984 to 1985 showroom stock racing, the 300ZX captured wins on numerous occasions.
It was based on the standard 300ZX Turbo, but was outfitted with every luxury feature available, a unique black interior with "bodysonic" leather seats in addition to widened fender flares, requisite badging, rear quarter panel flares, and sixteen-inch (406 mm) wheels (400 mm). For the 1985 model year, Nissan dropped the Datsun name brand for good, but the car dealers were still known as Datsun dealers.
Paul Newman raced in the 1985 GT1 Challenge and won.
He also helped to promote the car, even by starring in a series of commercials. In 1984 to 1985 showroom stock racing, the 300ZX captured wins on numerous occasions.
The car scored its only Trans Am win in 1986 at Lime Rock by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp Racing. From 1985 to 1987, the Electramotive-developed GTP ZX-Turbo was raced in the IMSA GT Championship's GTP class and also the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, badged as a Fairlady Z, using a Lola T810 chassis and a VG30ET engine.
Minor changes were made to the 300ZX including a water-cooled turbocharger and smoked taillights. The 1986 model saw wider flared wheel wells as well as body-color bumpers, and the rear quarter panels were designed specifically to accommodate factory ground effect style side skirts.
The car scored its only Trans Am win in 1986 at Lime Rock by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp Racing. From 1985 to 1987, the Electramotive-developed GTP ZX-Turbo was raced in the IMSA GT Championship's GTP class and also the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, badged as a Fairlady Z, using a Lola T810 chassis and a VG30ET engine.
1986 turbo models were equipped with an ordinary hood, markedly losing the turbo "scoop" on the driver's side. In order to keep up with quickly aging aesthetics, another slight redesign happened in 1987, consisting of new rounded, restyled and longer front and rear bumpers, new headlights, and new tail lights.
The black trim on turbo models was now a charcoal instead of gloss black, and 1987 Turbo models came with special "smoked" turbo-finned wheels.
All 1987 model year turbo cars also received an upgraded manual transmission, larger and more powerful brakes, and turbo cars produced from 4/87 and later came equipped with a clutch-type limited-slip differential. For the 1988 models, there were again a few small changes.
The car scored its only Trans Am win in 1986 at Lime Rock by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp Racing. From 1985 to 1987, the Electramotive-developed GTP ZX-Turbo was raced in the IMSA GT Championship's GTP class and also the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, badged as a Fairlady Z, using a Lola T810 chassis and a VG30ET engine.
Following development through 1987, the car would become dominant in IMSA GT in 1988.
The same engine was used in the Electramotive (later to become NPTI) GTP ZX-Turbo that dominated the IMSA GTP races in 1988 and 1989.
All 1987 model year turbo cars also received an upgraded manual transmission, larger and more powerful brakes, and turbo cars produced from 4/87 and later came equipped with a clutch-type limited-slip differential. For the 1988 models, there were again a few small changes.
Another special edition, the "Shiro Special" (SS), was released in 1988.
This package had no options; all 88SS cars are identical. The 1989 Models are identical to 1988 models, though somewhat rare because of Nissan winding-down production early in preparation for the second generation 300ZX. ===Fourth generation: Nissan 300ZX (Z32, Second Model)=== The only thing unchanged from the previous generation 300ZX is the 3.0-liter V6 engine, now with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC), variable valve timing (VVT) and producing a rated and naturally aspirated.
Following development through 1987, the car would become dominant in IMSA GT in 1988.
The same engine was used in the Electramotive (later to become NPTI) GTP ZX-Turbo that dominated the IMSA GTP races in 1988 and 1989.
This package had no options; all 88SS cars are identical. The 1989 Models are identical to 1988 models, though somewhat rare because of Nissan winding-down production early in preparation for the second generation 300ZX. ===Fourth generation: Nissan 300ZX (Z32, Second Model)=== The only thing unchanged from the previous generation 300ZX is the 3.0-liter V6 engine, now with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC), variable valve timing (VVT) and producing a rated and naturally aspirated.
There were two generations of the 300ZX: the Z31 from 1984 to 1989, and the Z32 from 1990 to 1996.
0-60 times of 5.0-6.0 seconds were reported, and it had a governed top speed of . Upon its release, the 300ZX, won Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" in 1990 as well as "One of the Top Ten Performance Cars".
American Z-car sales reached 1 million in 1990. Nissan utilized the Cray-II supercomputer to completely design the new 300ZX with a form of CAD software.
There were two generations of the 300ZX: the Z31 from 1984 to 1989, and the Z32 from 1990 to 1996.
The SOHC VG30ET was making upwards of , with a power band that extended from 4000 to 9000 rpm on a single turbo. From 1990 to 1995, Steve Millen drove the twin-turbo 300ZX for Clayton Cunningham Racing.
In 1990, JUN's first Z32 went 339.2 km/h at their Yatabe test course and hit 373 km/h after some tuning at Bonneville. The 350Z replaced the Skyline GT-R and Silvia as the car for Nissan's factory and customer teams in the JGTC/Super GT's GT500 class and GT300 class respectively.
In 1993, a convertible version was introduced for the first time in the Z-car's history, as a response to aftermarket conversions.
The SOHC VG30ET was making upwards of , with a power band that extended from 4000 to 9000 rpm on a single turbo. From 1990 to 1995, Steve Millen drove the twin-turbo 300ZX for Clayton Cunningham Racing.
The 1995 GTS 300ZX car would debut with the V8 Nissan VH engine at Daytona and would place first in the GTS-1 class at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Mosehead Grand Prix in Halifax. The JUN-BLITZ Bonneville Z32 holds the E/BMS class land speed record of set at the 1995 Bonneville Speed Trial.
The mid-'90s trend toward SUVs and the rising Yen:Dollar ratio were both influential in ending North American 300ZX sales in 1996 at over 80,000 units sold (production for other markets continued until 2000).
There were two generations of the 300ZX: the Z31 from 1984 to 1989, and the Z32 from 1990 to 1996.
In Japan, however, the 300ZX lived on for a few more years with a face-lift including a new front fascia, tail lights, headlights, rear spoiler, and a few other minor changes. ===Nissan 240Z Concept (1999)=== In the U.S., the Z-car went on hiatus from 1997 to 2002, as Nissan focused more on SUVs and was also in some financial trouble.
To keep Z-car interest alive, Nissan launched a restoration program in 1998 for which they purchased original 240Zs, professionally restored them, and re-sold them at dealerships for about $24,000. Nissan next launched a concept car at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, the 240Z Concept.
Even a major design change in 1998 couldn't save it, and production finally ended in 1999. While the model names were based on the engine capacity for the US markets, with the 240Z having a 2.4-litre L24 engine and the 260Z having a 2.6-litre L26 engine and so on to the 300ZX 3.0-litre V6, due to Japanese taxation laws relating to engine capacity, some second and third generation (S130 and Z31) Fairlady Z cars were produced for the Japanese domestic market fitted with 2.0L engines.
To keep Z-car interest alive, Nissan launched a restoration program in 1998 for which they purchased original 240Zs, professionally restored them, and re-sold them at dealerships for about $24,000. Nissan next launched a concept car at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, the 240Z Concept.
Even a major design change in 1998 couldn't save it, and production finally ended in 1999. While the model names were based on the engine capacity for the US markets, with the 240Z having a 2.4-litre L24 engine and the 260Z having a 2.6-litre L26 engine and so on to the 300ZX 3.0-litre V6, due to Japanese taxation laws relating to engine capacity, some second and third generation (S130 and Z31) Fairlady Z cars were produced for the Japanese domestic market fitted with 2.0L engines.
Since then, Nissan has manufactured six generations of Z-cars, with the most recent, the Nissan 370Z, in production since 2009. Chief Japanese rivals include the Toyota Celica, Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi 3000GT and Mazda RX-7. The earlier models of the Nissan Z were built at the Nissan Shatai plant in Hiratsuka until 2000, while the later models (350Z and 370Z) are built at Oppama (2002–2004) and Tochigi (2004–present).
Yamaha later finished a prototype and took their design to Toyota, resulting in the Toyota 2000GT. Yutaka Katayama, the president of Nissan USA at the time, realized the importance of an affordable sports car internationally.
A third Z, the Z432 (PS30) shared a performance version of the DOHC 2.0 L S20 engine with the Nissan Skyline 2000 . In Japan, the Z was still known as the Fairlady to keep the car in line with the previous generation Datsun Sports roadster.
The mid-'90s trend toward SUVs and the rising Yen:Dollar ratio were both influential in ending North American 300ZX sales in 1996 at over 80,000 units sold (production for other markets continued until 2000).
The squat, long-hood/short-deck styling resulted from a competition between Nissan's Japanese, European, and American design studios, with the La Jolla, California studio's design being chosen in March 2000.
And we will make it profitable." On January 8, 2001, Nissan introduced the Z Concept.
In Japan, however, the 300ZX lived on for a few more years with a face-lift including a new front fascia, tail lights, headlights, rear spoiler, and a few other minor changes. ===Nissan 240Z Concept (1999)=== In the U.S., the Z-car went on hiatus from 1997 to 2002, as Nissan focused more on SUVs and was also in some financial trouble.
The product planners hoped to avoid the price problems that plagued the last few years of the 300ZX with a target MSRP of $30,000 while using the Porsche Boxster as a benchmark. In the summer of 2002, the 350Z was released to wide acclaim.
Released on July 2002 in Japan at reorganized Nissan Japanese dealerships called Nissan Blue Stage, and August 20, 2002 in the U.S., the 350Z coupé was available in 5 trim packages: '350Z' (Base), 'Enthusiast', 'Performance', 'Touring', and 'Track' editions.
The S130 was available with an L20ET inline 6, while the Z31 had either a RB20DET inline 6 or a VG20ET V6. In the 2003 model year, Nissan reentered the US sports-car market with the 350Z, powered by the 3.5 L VQ35DE V6 producing , and styled in an attempt to create a more modern interpretation of the 240Z's lines.
In 2003 Hasemi Sports won the GT300 championship with the 350Z.
A convertible model was later introduced in 2004. The 350Z was available in a selection of seven trim packages, depending on the year: "Base", "Enthusiast", "Performance", "Touring", "Grand Touring", "Track" and "Nismo".
In 2004, Nismo won the GT500 championship.
This engine initially produced and torque, but in 2005 was increased to and .
The 350Z's engine was updated twice; in 2005 to the VQ35DE RevUp, producing , and in 2007 to the VQ35HR, producing . The 370Z features a 3.7L VQ37VHR V6 producing .
In 2007, Nissan dropped the "Track" version in favor of the "Nismo" edition, but retained the Brembo brakes, Rays Engineering wheels, and simple interior, but added a larger exhaust and aggressive body kit.
The 350Z's engine was updated twice; in 2005 to the VQ35DE RevUp, producing , and in 2007 to the VQ35HR, producing . The 370Z features a 3.7L VQ37VHR V6 producing .
Until the 2007 season, the car was powered by a VQ30DETT V6.
It is widely believed that this model year (2007–08) is the most desired among enthusiasts due to the car featuring a revised transmission (CD009) which solved all previous issues and the new engine architecture (VQ35HR) which provided an overall faster car. ===Sixth generation: Nissan 370Z (Z34)=== On December 30, 2008 the 370Z was introduced as a 2009 model.
In 2008 season, the 350Zs were all replaced by Nissan GT-Rs in the GT500 class, but they have continued to be used in the GT300 class as the GT-Rs exceed the horsepower limits which make it impossible to participate.
This car was also featured on the March 2008 cover of Turbo Magazine.
Since then, Nissan has manufactured six generations of Z-cars, with the most recent, the Nissan 370Z, in production since 2009. Chief Japanese rivals include the Toyota Celica, Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi 3000GT and Mazda RX-7. The earlier models of the Nissan Z were built at the Nissan Shatai plant in Hiratsuka until 2000, while the later models (350Z and 370Z) are built at Oppama (2002–2004) and Tochigi (2004–present).
It is widely believed that this model year (2007–08) is the most desired among enthusiasts due to the car featuring a revised transmission (CD009) which solved all previous issues and the new engine architecture (VQ35HR) which provided an overall faster car. ===Sixth generation: Nissan 370Z (Z34)=== On December 30, 2008 the 370Z was introduced as a 2009 model.
In June 2009, the second generation 2009 Nismo 370Z debuted.
This was followed by the introduction of the 2010 370Z Roadster in late summer of 2009. The 370Z (Z34) is powered by Nissan's 3.7 liter V6 engine, the VQ37VHR.
This was followed by the introduction of the 2010 370Z Roadster in late summer of 2009. The 370Z (Z34) is powered by Nissan's 3.7 liter V6 engine, the VQ37VHR.
In May 2020, Nissan revealed plans to produce a new Z car. ==History== Nissan was a relatively small automaker when it entered the international market in the 1960s and partnered with Yamaha to design a new sports car prototype to update the Nissan Fairlady.
On March 19, 2020, Nissan filed a trademark for two new logos: one was its new corporate logo, while the other was a new version of the Z-car logo, further confirming the existence of a new Z-car.
Then, on May 28, 2020, as part of its global restructuring plan, named "Nissan Next", Nissan's official YouTube channel released a one minute, twelve-second video showcasing its updated vehicle lineup, including the new Z-car; this video also confirmed the claim that the new Z-car would have retro styling, with its overall shape and circular running lights referencing the 240Z.
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