Will there be a 2023 Nismo Z?

Nissan is gearing up to reveal yet another track-ready version of its Z sports car in collaboration with its Nismo tuning and motorsports division.

The company has teased on Twitter a shadowy side profile image of this Z Nismo GT4 race car ahead of its online reveal on September 28 at 9AM AEST.

Although this teaser image doesn’t appear to show anything substantial upon first glance, with a slight adjustment of the contrast and brightness more details are made clear.

A large ‘GT4’ sticker is situated in the middle of the door, signifying this car is the track-only GT4 version.

An apparent change to the regular Nissan Z is the aggressive Nismo bodykit that includes a low front splitter and a large rear wing that’s added on top of the regular ducktail-style rear spoiler.

There are also vents on the bonnet, as well as a rear tow hook. Although it’s not seen, a GT4-spec roll cage is expected.

It’s unclear what kind of changes Nissan will make to the Z’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine in GT4 racing specification. In the road-going Z it produces 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque.

• NIssan Z Nismo race car

This isn’t the first track-only Z that Nissan has revealed, as Nissan revealed a modified Z Nismo racer that debuted at the Fuji 24-Hour Race at Fuji Speedway in the ST-Q class, which is a class for special development vehicles approved by Super Taikyu Series and isn’t competitive.

This previous Nissan Z racer appears to have similar racing-oriented body modifications as the teased GT4 version, but is slightly toned down in some areas.

It’s expected both of the Z-based racers will inform the hotter, road-going Nissan Z Nismo that’s reportedly set to be revealed in early 2023, according to BestCarWeb.

The Nissan Z Nismo will reportedly receive dedicated suspension tuning by Nismo, beefier brakes, chassis stiffening, Yamaha performance dampers, a different exhaust, and a retuned electronic control unit (ECU).

Other aesthetic changes will reportedly include 20-inch aluminium wheels, Recaro sports seats, a leather and Alcantara steering wheel, and a dash with red-accented stitching.

It’s unclear at this stage how much more power and torque the Z Nismo will make, but with the Nismo exhaust and retuned ECU we could see a slight bump over the regular version.

Nissan Z details in brief

The Nissan Z sits on a revised version of the 370Z’s rear-wheel drive bones and uses the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with variable valve timing and quick-spooling small-diameter turbochargers, putting out 298kW and 475Nm.

There’s a choice of a six-speed close-ratio manual, featuring an Exedy high-performance clutch, carbon-fibre composite drive shaft and an automated rev-matching function, and a new nine-speed unit paired with aluminium paddle shifters.

All Nissan Zs have a mechanical limited-slip differential and launch control as standard equipment.

The Z also comes standard with Active Noise Cancellation to filter out tyre drone and wind noise, and Active Sound Enhancement to amplify the engine soundtrack inside the cabin.

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Nissan has revealed a GT4 homologated version of its Z sports car for track use only, in collaboration with its Nismo tuning and motorsports division.

Dubbed the Nissan Z GT4, deliveries of this race car will begin in the first half of 2023.

This GT4 homologated Nissan Z racer is based on the road-going car, but has been developed at Nismo’s engineering facilities and modified for “severe competition use”.

The Japanese carmaker said it tuned the car’s 3.0-litre ‘VR30DDTT’ twin-turbo V6 engine, “optimised” the chassis and suspension, and enhanced the aerodynamics within the GT4 regulations.

Nissan is remaining tight-lipped on any further details about the Z GT4 racer at this stage, but has said that detailed vehicle specifications will be announced at the 2022 SEMA show, which runs from November 1 to 4.

On the outside an apparent change to the regular Nissan Z is an aggressive bodykit that includes a low front splitter and a large rear wing that’s added on top of the regular ducktail-style rear spoiler.

There’s also a large, singular exhaust pipe instead of the usual dual exhaust pipes, vents on the bonnet, Rays lightweight wheels, Brembo high-performance brakes, and tow hooks.

Although the company hasn’t shown off any images of the GT4 racer’s interior yet, there’s a cockpit that “works for drivers of all types”, apparently. Sabelt racing seats can be partially seen in some of the images.

This Nissan Z GT4 racer was previewed by the modified Z Racing Concept that debuted at the Fuji 24-Hour Race at Fuji Speedway in the ST-Q class, which is a class for special development vehicles approved by Super Taikyu Series and isn’t competitive.

The GT4 version also isn’t the first track-only Z that Nissan has revealed, as it already has the Z GT500 racer which replaced the GT-R GT500 from the 2022 season.

It’s expected this Nissan Z GT4 racer will inform the hotter, road-going Nissan Z Nismo that’s reportedly set to be revealed in early 2023, according to BestCarWeb.

The Nissan Z Nismo will reportedly receive dedicated suspension tuning by Nismo, beefier brakes, chassis stiffening, Yamaha performance chassis dampers, a different exhaust, and a retuned electronic control unit (ECU).

Other aesthetic changes will reportedly include 20-inch aluminium wheels, Recaro sports seats, a leather and Alcantara steering wheel, and a dash with red-accented stitching.

It’s unclear at this stage how much more power and torque the Z Nismo will make, but with the Nismo exhaust and retuned ECU we could a slight bump over the regular version which produces 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque.

Pricing in Japan for Z Nismo is reportedly expected to be around ¥9 million (~$A100,000), which is around ¥3 million (~$A30,000) more than the current, flagship model in that market.

• Road-going Nissan Z

In Australia, the Nissan Z is priced from $73,300 before on-road costs regardless of whether you choose the six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Z Proto, which is now sold out, was priced at $80,700 before on-road costs and added unique features such as Ikazuchi Yellow paint with a black roof, matching yellow brake calipers, 19-inch bronze forged alloy wheels, and interior trim tweaks.

Click an image to view the full gallery.

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