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2022 Nissan Z is Arriving With a Manual Transmission
We are in the age where yawn-inducing crossovers are increasingly plaguing the market but the emergence of a sports car with a manual transmission no less, makes us all giddy with excitement especially since it marks the return of an icon. The original Nissan 240Z was a beautiful sports car wrought with stunning details when it first rocked onto the scene way back in the 1960s. However, subsequent iterations became more powerful and sophisticated while the 350Z and later, the 370Z honed and refined the authentic Nissan ‘Z’ experience even more with a V6 engine. From immersing itself in tuner culture to being a source of headache for the European sports car fraternity- the Nissan Z was just too good for a recipe to be confined away to the history books.
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Image: Nissan USA
The new ‘Z’ lets go of any numerical baggage and embraces cleaner styling along with wearing a sharper suit. It makes the 370Z look a bit bulbous while being a more handsome sports coupe albeit in a conventional way. There are hints of the family lineage most notably at the rear of the Z where bits of the 300ZX and 240ZX have been smeared in.
Inside, it’s all digital screens and a pared-back driver-focused feel along with raised quality levels. There is a digital cluster now along with a 9-inch touch screen. The new Z is also not some track tool as it is a long distance-tourer hence, practicality is well looked after along with a decent helping of luxury amenities like an eight-speaker Bose audio system.
Image: Nissan USA
That said, keen drivers would be more interested to see how the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V-6 sounds. There is also a bump in the power output to 400 bhp at 6,400 rpm while 350 lb-ft of torque comes in nice and early. That said, while it remains to be seen how turbo-charging has altered the character of this motor, the expected broader power band will come in handy from an everyday usage perspective.
Purists will stick to the 6-speed manual (with closely stacked ratios) while a brand new 9-speed automatic would be welcomed by new ‘Z’ adopters. The Australian market will most likely only get the top-spec Z ‘Performance’ version but the fabled manual transmission would also be available. Oh and the new Z also gets electric power steering for the first time!
Image: Nissan USA
The 2022 Nissan Z while continuing with the old car’s platform is a radical overhaul with new technology, turbo-charging and crucially, more performance being added into the mix. With all this, expect to see a significant jump in prices when the Z eventually lands in Australia next year, though it would still undercut the likes of the Toyota Supra with its sub-$70K starting price (estimated). Start saving now!
Image: Nissan USA
Image: Nissan USA
Image: Nissan USA
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Somnath Chatterjee
Somnath Chatterjee is an experience car journalist and automotive expert. His supercar reviews, interviews and industry features have appeared in global publications such as Upscale living, Robb Report and Yahoo Lifestyle Asia. Somnath specialises in luxury and lifestyle-oriented features with a focus on automobiles, aviation and luxury. He also holds a Post Graduate in International Business from the University of Dehli.
