Why the New High-Tech Nissan 400Z is So Cool

by SpeedLux
Nissan 400Z

Hang on to your hats, Nissan fanboys and fangirls! The latest, most high-tech addition to Nissan’s celebrated Z-car family is about to drop, and it’s cooler than ever. Meet the 2021 Nissan 400z coupe!

What You Need to Know About the All-New 400Z

Performance

The 400z is Nissan’s latest offering in an iconic line of sports cars dating back to the 1960s, and is expected to be powered by a twin-charged turbo V-6 just like its beefed-up brother, the Nissan GT-R. However, unlike the GT-R, which features a 565hp 3.8-liter engine, the 400z is slated to have the same 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter engine as its high-class sister, the Infiniti Q60.  There’s also talk that the high-performance Nismo version of the 400Z may feature the 400-horsepower version of the same engine, which currently is exclusive to Infiniti’s Q60 Red Sport 400. 

However, that’s where the similarities to the Q60 are expected to end- while the Infiniti cars are available in all-wheel drive, the Nissan 400Z is anticipated to stick with rear-wheel drive only. It is probable that a second-speed automatic transmission will be featured in the 400z, though many Z-car enthusiasts are holding their breath for a 6-speed manual transmission option as well.

Technology

Infotainment and connectivity offerings are perhaps one of the most obvious areas in which previous Z-car models have been lacking compared with other sports cars in their class. With the promise of an 8-inch touchscreen display and compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the NissanConnect interface, the 400Z aims to rectify that situation. While the most current Z on the road, the 370Z, offers no in-dash touchscreen- a shocking difference from most of its peers in the sports car class- the 400Z is expected to feature navigation and premium Bose audio as options.

Comfort

The Z’s cabin is expected to remain as the 2-seat coupe design of its predecessors, but this time it is also widely anticipated to offer a lot more in terms of comfort for its driver and passenger. Premium add-ons such as power seats, genuine leather upholstery, and dual-zone climate control are expected to be announced as features of the 400Z. It’s not expected to have more cargo space than the 307z, but it’s safe to say that the new model will offer much more in the way of interior comfort. 

A Brief History of the Nissan Z-Car

Comprised of over 40 models of cars dating back half a century, the celebrated Nissan Z series has captured the hearts and imaginations of speed enthusiasts everywhere. The first official Z-car, the 240Z, originally rolled out in 1969 for the 1970 model year when Nissan, formerly known as Datsun, decided to develop a car that would be formidable both on and off the racetrack. People fell in love with the Z almost instantly- the first model sold over 45,000 units in its first year of production alone!

By the late 70s, the original Z had evolved into the more luxurious 280ZX, featuring premium options such as climate control, two-toned paint, and gold alloy wheels. The added luxury and aesthetic appeal of the 280ZX earned it the honor of being named Motor Trend’s “Impact Car of the Year” in 1979.

In the 1980s, Datsun became Nissan and rolled out its new Z-car model, the 300ZX. From its futuristic, wedge-shaped body design to its totally rad pop-up headlights, the 300ZX embodied the changing tastes in sports car aesthetics without sacrificing the luxury of its predecessor. The 300ZX was restyled once in 1987, then remained largely unchanged until the 1990s. 

The 1990 300ZX ushered in the 4th generation of the Z-car, and fans instantly fell in love with the added comfort in its design, though this meant having to sacrifice some of the flash from the 80s. However, it still retained the same speed and was well-received enough to be named Motor Trend’s Impact Car of the Year for the second time in 1990. Unfortunately, the added comfort and luxury also caused this model to be pricier than previous ones- a risky move in the economy-minded 90s. Eventually the Z model was removed from the American market, continuing sales in Japan.

The fifth generation of the Z-car was kicked off by its highly-anticipated return to the U.S. in 2003, in the form of the 350Z. Featuring an aspirated six-cylinder engine, larger wheels, and a tapered tail end, the 350Z made a huge splash with its power combo of luxury and performance, making America fall in love with the Z Series all over again.

The most recent Z car (at least until the 400Z is officially unveiled) is the sixth generation of this iconic series- the 370Z. Taking its name from the 3.7-liter, 333-horsepower engine under its hood, the 370Z has a much more refined, contemporary aesthetic than its predecessors, while still retaining the distinctive design cues that have become a Z-series tradition. Thought by many car enthusiasts to be one of the best models in the storied history of the Z Series, the 270Z delivers outstanding-quality performance at an affordable price.

We’re already getting excited to test-drive an all-new Nissan 400Z, and we bet you are too! To give yourself something to do while you’re waiting for Nissan to hit us with the big reveal, now’s a great time to look into an extended car warranty that can help you cover the cost of auto repairs and part replacements without breaking the bank. 

Most used car buyers search for “extended auto warranties”. But extended auto warranties are actually either Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (in California) or a Vehicle Service contract (in the rest of the USA). When looking at extended auto warranties, be sure to check out olive insurance solutions, as they can get a quote to you in minutes, in most cases.

We’re counting the days until we can see the all-new 400z- we already know we love it!

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SpeedLux

SpeedLux is a high-authority automotive blog providing the latest automotive news and reviews. SpeedLux covers everything related to cars, bikes, and motorcycles, from news and reviews, to troubleshooting guides, tips and tricks, and more. SpeedLux was born in 2009 and we have over 20,000 articles published on our blog. We thank all our readers, as well as our partners, without whom we could not have reached this level.

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