Past Meets Future: Nissan Unveils The Z Proto

Nissan has unveiled the Z Proto, signaling the company's intent to launch a new generation of the legendary Z sports car.  Shown at a virtual event beamed around the world from the Nissan Pavilion in Yokohama, the prototype car features a new design inside and out, as well as a V-6 twin-turbocharged engine with a manual transmission. The Z Proto is not available to purchase yet (the name "Proto" meaning "prototype"), but it does provide an early glimpse of what to expect for the production model.Let's start off with how the Z Proto looks, penned and developed by the design team in Japan, the Z Proto boasts a fresh, attractive exterior design with a silhouette that communicates respect for the original model. It sports a bright yellow pearlescent paint – a tribute to a popular paint scheme on both the first generation Z (S30) and the 300ZX (Z32) – and a black roof.On the front, the shape of the hood and the canted, teardrop-shaped LED headlights are both unmistakable reminders of the original Z. The LED headlights have two half-circles that hark back to the Japan market-only 240ZG of the 70s. The rectangular grille's dimensions are similar to the current model with the addition of oval grille fins to offer an updated modern look. There's even a "Fairlady Z" badge on the trunk.The link to the original Z is most striking when viewing the Z Proto from the side. The roofline flows from the nose to the squared-off rear to create a distinctive first-generation Z profile whose rear edge was slightly lower than the front fender height giving the Z its unique posture. The signature transition from the rear quarter glass to the low-slung position of the rear tail adds to the effect.The rear takes inspiration from the 300ZX (Z32) taillights, reinterpreted for the modern world. Set within a rectangular black section that runs across the rear and wraps around the outer edges, the LED taillights convey a sharp glow. Lightweight carbon fiber treatments on the side skirts, front lower lip, and rear valance ensure nimble performance. 19-inch alloy wheels and dual exhausts complete the Z Proto's striking road presence.Inside,  the Z Proto's cabin seamlessly blends modern technology with vintage Z touches. It isn't retro as the exterior, but it does offer a clean layout. All vital information is found in the 12.3-inch digital meter display and arranged to help the driver grasp it at a glance, such as a redline shift point at the twelve o'clock position.The new, deep-dish steering wheel offers the driver quick access controls without losing its vintage aesthetic. Yellow accents are found throughout the cabin, including stitching on the instrument panel. The seats feature special yellow accenting and a layered gradation stripe in the center of the seats to create depth.Let's come to power, which the Z Proto has plenty of. The Nissan Z Proto is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that comes paired to a six-speed manual transmission. Displacement and power figures are still unknown but expect upwards of 400 horsepower, for reference the current 370Z produces 332 hp. Nissan says that an automatic transmission is also in development, as is a Nismo model.The Nissan Z Proto is expected to show up with the production version later next year as a 2022 model in the US with prices starting around $40,000, undercutting its Japanese rival, the Toyota Supra.