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2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review: The 2024 Z Snarls With Assertive Design and Heritage Bite

With the new NISMO, Nissan skillfully completes the Z family. Nissan wants to stand out in the sports car category thanks to this sharper version placed at the top of the range. I test-drove the 2024 NISMO for a week and this is my review.

While the normal Z is intended for road use, Nissan makes it clear in the Press Kit that the 2024 NISMO model's mission is to attract owners who want to drive a high-performance car on the road, but also on the track.

Nissan offers the Z in three options: Sport, Performance and NISMO. They are respectfully priced at $43,450, $53,450 and $64,990 MSRP.

What Makes The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO Special

Think the Z Sport and Performance grades are thrilling? The NISMO takes it to a whole new level. Precision enhancements throughout transform the already-dynamic Z into a corner-carving monster, satisfying even the most demanding drivers.

Power Surge: The NISMO comes with 420 horsepower, erupting from a finely tuned V6. Not just about raw power, it delivers a smooth, linear surge that pushes you into your seat and leaves you grinning.

Track-Honed Handling: The 2024 NISMO-specific bodywork sculpts the air for improved balance and downforce, keeping you planted and confident. Stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, and aggressive tires complete the package, turning every corner into a victory lap.

Tech on Demand: Both Performance and NISMO grades now feature Amazon Alexa Built-in, letting you control music, navigation, and more with just your voice.

Interior Indulgence: The cockpit is your command center. Immerse yourself in the NISMO spirit with red-anodized accents, Recaro seats that hug you tight, and a luxurious Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel with a racing-inspired red marker.

Exterior of the 2024 Z NISMO

The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO's exterior design screams assertive with every curve and element, showcasing both aggressive performance and heritage-inspired touches. Here's how it embodies an assertive style:

2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review: Front DesignAerodynamics first: Forget subtlety in design, the NISMO is all about function dictating form. The extended "G-Nose" spoiler juts out proudly, reminiscent of the legendary Fairlady 240ZG, not just an homage but a declaration of performance lineage. The razor-thin honeycomb grille screams efficiency, hinting at the aerodynamic prowess underneath. Even the subtle side fins are there to hug the ground, exuding purpose and precision.

Dominant rear: The Z Performance gets dwarfed by the NISMO's rear spoiler. Imagine a wider, taller wing stretching across the car like a confident hand gesture, leaving no doubt about its intentions. The GT-R-inspired bumper corners add sharp, angular muscle, further emphasizing the car's planted, ready-to-pounce stance.

Color choices: No room for pastels here. The available colors are bold statements themselves: Diamond Black Pearl for sheer darkness, Brilliant Silver for a striking, metallic glint, Passion Red for an in-your-face declaration of sportiness, Everest White Pearl for a stark, almost clinical contrast to the aggressive lines, and finally, the NISMO-exclusive Stealth Gray, whispering power while hiding in plain sight. The unifying element? The black roof, like a helmet pulled down low, ready for action.

In essence, the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO's exterior design isn't for the faint of heart. It's a confident blend of heritage, aerodynamic aggression, and bold color choices, all working together to announce its arrival – not with a shout, but with a calculated, assertive stance that leaves no room for doubt about its performance intentions.

Interior of The New Z NISMO

Open the driver's door of the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO and you're instantly transported into a performance-focused vehicle. The NISMO logo emblazoned on the floor mats sets the tone, followed by the eye-catching red Recaro seats that engulf you in a sense of purpose. Take hold of the Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, its red center marker acting as a constant reminder of straight-ahead alignment.

While the Recaro seats are designed to hold you firmly in place during unexpected maneuvers, they maintain a surprising level of comfort for everyday driving.

2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review and interior

Despite the excellent driving position, rear visibility remains a challenge due to the car's inherent design, similar to the standard Z.

Stepping inside the passenger compartment, you'll find familiar elements from other Z models, but with distinct NISMO upgrades. The steering wheel rim gets a luxurious blend of leather and Alcantara, and a red insert at the top further reinforces the driver's focus. These same red accents continue on the Recaro seats, subtly reminding everyone on board that they're not just in any Z.

Even the instrumentation graphics inside the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO receive a sportier makeover, and the start button and driving mode selector dials are adorned with a sleek red anodized finish, completing the NISMO's performance-oriented aesthetic. You can choose the driving mode with the red selector showcasing the new "Sport+" option, a subtle nod to the car's enhanced capabilities.

While practicality might not be its top priority, the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO's interior leaves no doubt about its true purpose: to deliver an exhilarating driving experience that's equal parts stylish and functional.

Engine and Power

Under the hood of the 2024 Z NISMO lies a heart that doesn't just beat, it roars. Forget "alterations" to the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 – this is a complete power surge. Imagine 420 ravenous horses unleashed, 20 more than the standard Z, all thanks to a performance-hungry makeover. Hotter turbos push air and exhaust with fervor, while a revamped cooling system ensures it doesn't overheat.

2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review of the Engine

The fuel economy of the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO is 19 MPG and 17/24 city/highway respectively. The MSRP of the 2024 Nissan NISMO is $64,990, but the price rises to $68,290 with all the options included by manufacturer premium paint.

If you are a manual purist, the 2024 NISMO sheds the traditional stick shift in favor of a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Nissan knows its audience. NISMO buyers, they say, apparently want a faster Z on the track, and for that, an automatic reigns supreme. The gearbox gets reinforced clutch plates, built to withstand the pounding of driving, ensuring every ounce of that 420-horsepower fury translates to neck-snapping acceleration. Think of it as a high-tech partner, seamlessly shifting gears while you focus on what truly matters.

Driving

On the road you quickly realize that NISMO is a serious product when it comes to performance.

On winding roads winding through the forest and between vineyards, the Z NISMO demonstrates high-level sporting pretensions. The modifications made to the chassis come into their own here, with sharper steering than the normal Z. The front axle, much better guided, allows muscular corner entries.

2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review of the exterior design

In sporty driving, the only notable fault is the relative slowness of the gearbox. Although it does its job respectably, it remains slower than a Porsche PDK box for example.

But the 2024 Z NISMO has a Launch Control system, which allows the car to squat and leap with more ferocity than the old versions.

The competitors of the 2024 Nissan Z NISMO

  • BMW M2
  • Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Ford Mustang GT
  • Honda Civic Type R
  • Toyota GR Supra

 

The 2024 Nissan Z NISMO isn't just a sports car; it's a statement. Its design exudes confidence, blending modern performance with nods to its illustrious past. While some may miss the manual transmission option, the NISMO compensates with its aggressive aesthetics, aerodynamic enhancements, and potent powertrain.

 

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News TwitterFacebookLinkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.