Nissan Z Nismo lands priced from $94,000

Alvin Lee 2 weeks ago New Car Price, News 88 Views

The Nissan Z Nismo, the most performance-focused Z model ever has officially launched in Australia, with the tuned-up two-seater sports cars now available priced from $94,000 plus on-road costs.

While the first 100-vehicle allocation was sold out in just 53 minutes — the first time a Z vehicle was able to be specified and reserved online — enthusiasts can now order the Z Nismo through the Nissan dealer network, with deliveries to begin almost immediately.

To celebrate its arrival, the Z Nismo’s launch took place in one of the country’s most challenging and exhilarating hill climbs. Lake Mountain in Victoria is a favourite for performance-car testing, owing both to the number and variety of corners along its 20km length.

Climbing from Marysville in Victoria to the top of the Cathedral Range State Park, it’s also a road that could have been tailor-made for the Z Nismo, with demanding tarmac, challenging corners and plenty of surfaces for the rich exhaust note – which is enhanced by the Nismo-tuned Active Sound Control – and the roar of the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 to bounce off.

READ MORE: Nissan Z Manual Review

As the most powerful model in the Z range, the Z Nismo takes the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine output to 313kW and 520Nm, an 11kW and 45Nm increase from the standard Z’s 298kW and 475Nm. The Nismo version also produces peak torque from 2000rpm through to 5200rpm.

The boost in engine performance is courtesy of improved cooling, revised electronic wastegate control providing increased turbocharger boost and turbine speed, and an independent ignition spark timing strategy similar to that used by the GT-R Nismo.

While the standard Z is available with the option of a 6-speed manual gearbox, the Z Nismo comes exclusively with a 9-speed torque converter automatic. Tuned for optimised lap times, the automatic transmission has quicker shift time than the regular Z auto, with launch control featured to deliver the fastest standing-start acceleration.

In addition to Normal and Sport, Z Nismo adds a new Sport+ drive mode. This delivers a more dynamic, racetrack-tuned shift program for circuit driving, taking advantage of the powertrain’s faster downshift capability. Nissan says the shift programming delivers such responsive shifts for performance driving that a driver does not need to use the shift paddles on track – though manual shifting via steering-mounted paddles is still available.

Other goodies include wider and lighter wheels (+0.5-inches), bigger brakes (front brake rotors +25mm) and a Nismo tuned suspension complete with stiffer spring rate, revised anti-roll bars and larger, retuned dampers.

To deliver track-ready performance, the car is fitted with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tyres, a version of which are also used on the GT-R. The rear tires are 10 mm wider than those on the standard Z – 285/35R19 versus 275/35R19.

Differentiating the Z Nismo from the regular Z. the exterior gets all the usual Nismo styling cues, including Nismo-specific front bumper, rear bumper, side skirts and rear boot lid spoiler. Red accents, another Nismo signature, run along the lower edge of the front and rear fascia, as well as the side skirts.

Inside, the cabin has been spiced up with an array of Nismo details. The engine start/stop and drive mode selection buttons are anodized red. The graphics in the fully digital TFT meter display feature a red outline around the tachometer, a Nismo logo and a special red “flash” during the start-up animation. Special leather/Alcantara Recaro seats are featured with a red centre section and Nismo logos in the headrests. Elsewhere, a new steering wheel, also finished in leather and Alcantara, adds a further sporting touch with its racing-inspired red accent mark at the 12 o’clock position.

Nissan Z Nismo pricing and specifications:

$94,000 (MSRP)