Now that we’ve taken a look at the numerous 86s at the event, it’s time to focus our attention on the other star of this year’s Auto Salon. Nissan’s brand new Fairlady Z, or 400Z depending on where you’re coming from.
Whilst reviews of the new Fairlady have been somewhat mixed, there’s no denying that this new Z can be quite the formidable machine with a few choice tweaks, which I’m sure many of the tuners here are happy to oblige with. And unlike the Supra, the new Z is coming fresh off the factory with a manual transmission, something its rival from Austria had to wait over 2 years for. And unlike the Supra (again), the new Z has a handbrake.
With such choice ingredients to work with, along with a twin-turbo V6, it’s no wonder tuners have embraced the new Z with as much or, perhaps, even more enthusiasm than the 86!
It definitely hasn’t taken long for each tuning company to come up with their brand-new Z builds, with the car still somewhat in its infancy stages, I think we can be pretty confident to say that there will be a ton more goodies in the works for Nissan’s new baby.
As you might expect, most of the builds accentuated the Z’s sleek new lines and built upon its already squat stance with more aggressive aero and wheels. One reason why tuners were able to build up their cars so quickly was also due to the Z’s shared components with the previous car, allowing for extremely quick development times on plenty of parts.
326Power were one of the first to get their hands on the new Z and they wasted no time giving it the Shakotan treatment.
Blitz as always, kept it subtle with a clean and restrained approach. Again, something I personally prefer.
Subtlety is, of course, not something you’d think of when you see the name Varis and their Z further reinforces the fact.
That rear duck wing does seem rather mild by Varis’ standards though.
The wildest new Z’s though was sitting at the Trust Greddy booth, built by Hikaru Taguchi from Moontech and sporting a brand new Tra-Kyoto Pandem widebody kit with a set of seriously wide Work Meister S1 wheels, this Z was insane.
Going back to OEM, Nissan has also announced that this new grille with a clear separation between the top and lower half of the front grille will finally go on sale. It definitely improves upon the Z’s already lovely aesthetic.
Just like the 86, there were plenty of older Zs on display. This one sitting in the Nissan booth is something a little more special though, one that is highly coveted by collectors and fawned upon by fans. The very rare Z432. Fitting with the same S30 engine as the Hakosuka GTR with power channelled to the rear wheels via a Limited Slip Differential, the Z432 was sold only in Japan and cost almost twice as much as a normal Z upon its release. Only 420 were built with 4 going on to police pursuit duties on the Chuo Highway.
Imagine Nissan doing the same today, stuffing the R35 GTR’s powerplant into the new Z and selling it with a full warranty! Wouldn’t that be something?
But if Nissan’s not gonna do it, I’m pretty sure someone else would.
Who wouldn’t appreciate a little bit more eye candy?
Though, while OEM and originality sure is fun to look at and appreciate, I’d happily make any Z my own if I ever had one.
Two of the best-looking original Z’s on the show came from Speed Forme. It’s hard to argue with how well-executed both these S30s were.
So, I guess the question now is once again, how do you like your Z? New? Old? Tuned up? Original? Or maybe, a bit of both?
One thing’s for certain though, the new. Z is only getting started.
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