‘Nismo’ is an abbreviation of the words ‘Nissan’ and ‘Motorsport’, and the organisation was officially founded in 1984 as part of a merger between Oppama Works and Omori Works, who were responsible for supporting privateer and factory motorsport teams. But its lineage can be traced back to the 1940s to the Prince Motor Company (PMC) and their best-known vehicle at the time, the ‘Skyline’.
In the late sixties PMC was taken over by Nissan, but just before that merger occurred PMC decided to go motor racing with a modified version of the Skyline, badged the GT. Nismo’s first president, Yasuharu Namba, was keen to give customers a taste of the brand’s racing success. And the rest as they say is history with many great Nismo versions coming out of the Omori Works, which is still the home of Nismo’s team of engineers today.
One of the latest examples is this Nissan Z NISMO, based on the Z Coupé with its zingy 3.0 litre, V6 twin-turbocharged and rear-wheel drive. This lively example, with its 7,000 rpm red line, has a hint of the infamous Nissan GT-R on start-up that’s hard for me to describe, but let’s call it an analogue feeling. Engine power is increased to a maximum of 309 kW at 6,400 rpm up from 298 kW and maximum torque of 520 Nm between 2,000 – 5,200 rpm up from 475 Nm between 1,600-5,600 rpm over the standard Z. The official combined fuel consumption is 10.4L/100km and for my week of fun in this Z NISMO I used 10.9L/100km.
Building on the specification of the standard Z, the other meaningful enhancements include new NISMO styling, which I really like, plus NISMO aerodynamic enhancements, NISMO chassis enhancements, NISMO-tuned Launch Control, NISMO-tuned Active Sound Control, and NISMO VDC Traction mode to complete the performance tune package.
What I loved most about this Slate Grey Z with Super Black roof was the 9-speed automatic gearbox with shift-by-wire. Using the metal steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters in manual shift mode with the NISMO exclusive downshift rev matching was a delight. I liked this transmission so much more over the manual I drove in the standard Z thanks to its quick response from paddle shifters up and down the gearbox. It’s also the only transmission option available on the NISMO version of the Z and has a transmission air-cooler that acts both as an oil warmer and cooler.
There’s no official 0-100km/h time from Nissan, but the internet tells me it’s sub four seconds and from where I was sitting the Z NISMO had a good turn of speed off the mark. The backend wiggles out of corners even in the softest drive mode and you get a more extreme angle and tail happy Z in NISMO drive mode Sports+. Until the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are warmed up you will even get a loss of traction in Comfort mode in a straight line. Braking performance is boosted over the standard Z with the front brake diameter up 25mm to 380 mm. The gloss black painted forged alloy wheels by RAYS are also another exclusive feature on this Z.
The NISMO tuned suspension offers a firm ride, but it is not unbearable. The other drive mode available is Sport, and when you change them the design of the digital driver’s dash doesn’t change and there’s only small writing in taco to indicate the mode you are in.
On the interior you get the familiar 3-gauge analogue display on the dash for boost, turbo speed, and voltage. Extras over the standard Z include a NISMO leather accented and Alcantara-appointed steering wheel with some gloss black plastic on it that I didn’t like. Plus, NISMO-exclusive red anodised engine start button and Drive Mode buttons, and NISMO branded exclusive Recaro leather accented and Alcantara seats.
Both seats have manual adjustment for recline and forward/back with the driver’s getting manual seat height/tilt adjustment front and rear, as heated and powered front seats are not available on Z NISMO. The passenger seat also has a child seat rear tether point and when a child seat is properly installed, the system will automatically turn off the airbag and a status light on the dashboard will illuminate to show that the airbag is off.
The rest of the cabin is fit for purpose, but would not be considered current from a technological standpoint. The 8″ touchscreen infotainment system does not have built in sat-nav and the Android Auto is connected using a USB cord, Apple CarPlay is also available. You do get a Bose stereo and the voice control worked well for making phone calls and changing the radio station. One USB-C and one USB-A port are located at the front of the centre console with a cubby for your phone next to it that has a grippy rubber base to stop your phone from sliding during cornering.
You only get manual single zone climate control with rotary dials for speed, temp, and mode selection. Next to the manual handbrake there is one cup holder in the centre console and a second one located under the arm rest, with small drink bottle storage cubbies in doors. There is also one 12V socket under the arm rest and another 12V socket is located in the passenger side footwell. Should you have a passenger with you, there’s a ledge behind the seats that you can place your handbag, so it’s not in the passenger side footwell.
The Nissan Z has a low, long boot that will be okay for the weekly shop but not taller items. The boot space has four plastic tie downs and one light and the tyre repair kit is located under boot floor. It is accessed via a power assisted boot lid with an external button and a button in the cabin to release it.
Active safety features fitted to the Nissan Z NISMO include Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, which I needed because I felt there was a blind spot over my right shoulder, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Lane Departure Warning. For convenience you get a standard rear-view camera with front and rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, high beam assist, but no auto wipers.
All new Nissan vehicles receive up to 10 years/300,000 kilometre warranty and 10 years 24-Hour Roadside Assistance when servicing with Nissan. The service schedule for the Z is 12 months or 10,000 km, whichever occurs first and service plans can be purchased up front for $998 for two years/ two services, $1,497 for three, $1,996 for four, and $2,495 for five years/five services.
The first 100-vehicle allocation of the Nissan Z NISMO sold-out in under an hour, but it’s now available to be ordered through the Nissan dealer network. Pricing starts at $94,605 excluding on-road costs and this was also the as tested my lively Z.
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| Pros | Cons |
| The 9-speed auto ‘box | Basic cabin and tech |
| The NISMO added extras | Single zone climate control |
| It’s fun to drive | The blind spot over my right shoulder |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.