No different automobile I drove this 12 months shocked me greater than the 2024 Nissan Z Nismo. It’s a sports activities automobile better than the sum of its components, however I worry it’s additionally a sports activities automobile destined for obscurity and meager gross sales.
The optics are admittedly dangerous. Whereas the opposite Z trims might be spec’d with a six-speed handbook, the Nismo is just accessible with a nine-speed automated transmission. It’s not even a dual-clutch or well-known torque converter-style transmission, reminiscent of the stunning ZF eight-speed, both. Curb weight stands at a surprising 3,704 kilos for this little two-door coupe, making it the heaviest Z by a large margin, one other demerit. So as to add additional insult, the Nismo stickers for $66,085. In case you wanted reminding, that’s basically similar to the BMW M2’s beginning worth, greater than a Mustang Darkish Horse and apes the value of a fully-loaded Supra. Yikes.
Having pit the common Z Efficiency towards a GR Supra, I used to be uncertain the adjustments made to the Nismo can be sufficient to justify its worth. And whereas that quantity continues to be robust to recover from, from the motive force’s seat, this Nismo is one rocking sports activities automobile that proves the haters unsuitable.
All of the dynamic complaints we served to the Z in previous critiques are remedied because of, takes deep breath, added entrance and rear underfloor bracing, stiffer suspension (and steering) bushings throughout, extra aggressive stabilizer bars, bigger re-tuned dampers, stiffer spring charges, wider RAYS 19-inch wheels and a few mega-sticky Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tires.
These modifications take the Z from a middling sports activities coupe to a dead-serious sports activities automobile. The comfortable, bouncy chassis that when was is gone, and as a substitute is a glued, confidence-inspiring machine that begs to be pushed laborious. After the primary cross on my ordinary take a look at loop, I used to be legitimately questioning the place the Nissan Z I drove earlier than was, and who stole it?
Nissan describes the Nismo’s steering as “one shot,” and I’ve to concur. Choose your line by a nook, and the Nismo willingly tucks in, staying flat, predictable and devoid of the chassis uneasiness that by no means goes away from the common Z. It rides more durable, and you’re feeling extra of the highway by the seat of your pants, however I can’t assist however really feel the Nismo’s composure and dealing with are on the stage the Z ought to’ve at all times been at. It now not feels poor to a GR Supra and is legitimately blissful to be tasked with a technical backroad.
Many compliments should be paid to those Dunlop tires, that are much more aggressive than what you’d discover on most sports activities vehicles on this worth vary. Observe day lovers will acknowledge the 200 treadwear ranking and smile, figuring out how a lot efficiency the rubber can pay you each on the road and on a racetrack. It’s laborious to need for extra grip on the highway with how excessive the boundaries are actually, and the much-stiffer chassis is completely paired to this spicier tire alternative, remaining unruffled as you poke and prod at this Z’s newfound efficiency.
There are downsides to such a superb efficiency tire, they usually come within the type of highway noise and an unforgivingly stiff trip. Not as if the Z was all that snug earlier than, however the Nismo might be grating on an extended freeway jaunt, sending sharp jolts by the cabin from time to time alongside the unending boring roar of the Dunlops. These are compromises I’m blissful to make for what the automobile can do outdoors of day by day driving, although, and I guess nearly all of people who would even contemplate a Nismo will suppose simply the identical.
On the subject of noise, the brand new exhaust is an actual pleasure. The Nismo feels like what I need each Z to sound like. As a substitute of simply consumption and turbo whooshing, you get to listen to the exhaust wind up all the best way from idle and thru the rev vary at a loud — however not overpowering —quantity. It even supplies a tasteful crackle on the overrun that doesn’t sound contrived or manufactured. The draw back, once more, is a little bit of drone that by no means fairly dissipates at freeway speeds. A bit of little bit of loud music can drown it out, however only a slight lean on the throttle will fill the cabin with the sound of this VR30DDTT’s trumpet.
The Nismo’s further output – 20 horsepower and 34 pound-feet of torque – over the common Z is a tangible improve and could have you lighting the rear tires up far simpler than earlier than. This engine was a rollicking time beforehand (maybe one of the best a part of the entire automobile) and the Nismo model provides it an additional step you’re feeling up and down the tachometer, revving noticeably faster than earlier than.
This brings us to maybe essentially the most controversial piece of the Nismo puzzle, its required nine-speed automated transmission. Nissan says it’s been “enhanced for sooner and extra dynamic shifting efficiency,” and it’s not kidding. Shifts are shockingly fast from every pull of the slender however shapely paddles, shedding all the common Z’s sluggishness. No, it’s not Porsche PDK-quick or as rapid-fire because the ZF eight-speed can get, however in all my driving, there wasn’t one level by which I wanted for a greater transmission. This nine-speed is a shock to the system, and I got here away a lot much less upset about it being the one possibility than I used to be going into this take a look at.
All of the above mentioned, c’mon, Nissan. There must be a handbook possibility too!
So many different small upgrades to the Nismo add as much as make this automobile nice. Its handbook Recaro bucket seats characteristic some mighty massive bolsters that maintain you in comfortable and place your physique a very good bit decrease to the ground than the usual Z, mending one among my complaints about sitting up too excessive in that automobile. Its larger brakes (each in entrance and rear) mixed with better-performing pads give the pedal a extra assured really feel and a extra speedy response whenever you name on them. Its mixture leather-based and Alcantara steering wheel is each fairly to behold and brings a contact extra environment to the equation. And did I point out the steering is leagues higher than the non-Nismo? As a result of sure, its weighting and highway really feel are much more agreeable, with each the upgraded steering bushing and higher tires to thank.
The Nismo’s exterior styling could be very take-it-or-leave-it. This new Z is a beautiful automobile, and all of the crimson further bits de-class it to a level. However for the Nissan fanatic, I’d wager it’s daring and cocky trying in all the best methods. Plus, the closely revised grille design leaves people with a distaste for the common grille’s look with a distinct possibility, although I feel each variations are engaging.
Irrespective of how a lot reward I’d toss on the driving expertise, the Nismo possibility continues to be an incredibly costly automobile for what you get. In contrast to the common Z, all of its added efficiency options make it a worse day by day driver, so it’s a much less versatile possibility at a a lot steeper worth. Nissan with the ability to remodel the considerably poor common Z into this firecracker provides me hope that folk will be capable of at the least partially replicate this within the aftermarket, and maybe even accomplish that on a handbook transmission-equipped automobile. From the place the Z Efficiency stands to the Nismo is an enormous gulf of efficiency, drama and sheer driving pleasure. I can solely really suggest the Nissan or Japanese sports activities automobile fanatic purchase it as a weekend or observe day toy. And if you happen to drove a Z and located it missing earlier than, however had been holding out hope for an improved variant, I can promise the higher one is formally right here. Go give the Nismo the total likelihood it deserves.