Nissan Z fans want twin-turbo V6, not electrification

If there was one common theme everyone at the Nissan Z launch touched on, it was how this car was developed for fans and prior owners.

According to Hiroshi Tamura, chief product planner for the Z, the car is fitted with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 because the “customer said so”.

Mr Tamura heard from fans during customer outreach and at events like SEMA they wanted the twin-turbo engine from the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport in the next Z.

Apparently no-one approached Mr Tamura to ask for an electrified or hybrid drivetrain for the next Z.

The 2023 Z, Q50 Red Sport, and Q60 Red Sport all use the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine making 298kW and 475Nm.

Despite this, there are differences between the drivetrains in the Z and Infiniti vehicles.

The Red Sport models are available in both rear- and all-wheel drive, while the Z is purely a rear-wheel drive proposition.

On the flip side, the Z can be equipped with an enthusiast-friendly six-speed manual or a modern nine-speed automatic. The latter is a significant upgrade on the seven-speed automatic standard on the Infinitis.

If reports are to believed, the Q60 is on borrowed time due to slow sales, and the Q50’s future seems uncertain.

This might mean, in the not-too-distant future, the Z will be only car in the Nissan family to use the VR30DDTT 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.

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