Nissan goes in depth with the hidden design features of the Z in this new post on their website.
usa.nissanstories.com
Inspiration comes in all forms, and all senses. The spark of a great novel can come from hearing an intriguing story, a hit song from a photograph, and a new design from walking down memory lane. When Nissan unveiled the all-new Z in August 2021, the world got a glimpse at the seventh-generation Z with some keen fans pointing out some of the inspirations Nissan designers tapped into. But that was only half of it.
Like a kid in a candy shop, designers looked at the past 50 years of Z for inspiration, added a twist, and even hid some subtle elements of natural beauty to spark a love-at-first-sight impression that would develop into a bonding relationship between Z and beholder.
Join us as we explore some of the subtle – and not so subtle – visual cues from past models that artistically convey the Z’s rich 50-year history and celebrate its Japanese heritage.
Exterior
Side profile: Quite possibly the most iconic viewpoint of the Nissan sports car, the new Z exudes the familiar silhouette of the first-generation, with the rear section sitting lower than the front. The long nose and short deck, further emphasized by the sloping roof line, complete the iconic look.
![Tire Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle Car]()
Front and rear ride height/body styling and exterior door: The Golden Ratio, often called the most beautiful number in the universe, is a mathematical expression that can be seen in nature, such as a Nautilus shell, and also in art, such as masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, architecture, and even music. On the all-new Z, elements of the front and rear, window height and door panel utilize the Golden Ratio to impress a natural beauty and pleasing aesthetic to all.
![Automotive parking light Vehicle Tire Car Wheel]()
Silver roof accent: Inspired by the shape and color of a katana blade (samurai sword), this unique accent highlights the lower body section and emphasizes the side view silhouette, especially when combined with a black roof.
The accent also conveys the car’s Japanese heritage, along with the high level of craftsmanship that goes into making the legendary blade.
![Car Automotive lighting Vehicle Hood Motor vehicle]()
Rear-quarter glass: The signature triangular quarter glass draws its inspiration directly from the first-generation Z. This unique shape was also used in the 370Z.
![Automotive parking light Tire Vehicle Car Automotive tire]()
Hood: Known in the design halls as the “Z Bulge,” the hood takes the same approach to the hood as the original Nissan Z, with a raised bulge with sharp creases that accent the long nose and hint at the power under the hood waiting to be released.
![Wheel Automotive parking light Tire Car Vehicle]()
Grille: The sharp rectangular design of the new Z’s grille allows for ample airflow to feed the twin-turbo V-6 engine, while also referencing a shape similar to the original Z and the 350Z. Looking closer, the new Z’s grille is made up of elongated oval shapes that also pay homage to the Z32’s taillamps.
![Car Automotive parking light Vehicle Land vehicle Photograph]()
Headlamps: The shape of the headlamps was patterned after the scooped-out design of the first-generation Z. The signature lighting, made up of two crescent LED bars of light, took inspiration from the glass-covered headlamps of the 240ZG, also known as the “G-nose” Z.
![Wheel Tire Automotive parking light Car Vehicle]()
C-pillar Z logo: The all-new Nissan Z adopts a “Z” badge reminiscent of the first-generation S30 Z. It can even be found in the same position, a few inches beside the car’s rear quarter glass.
![Automotive lighting White Hood Motor vehicle Black]()
Taillights: The rear styling of the new Z was directly inspired by the Nissan 300ZX (Z32). The black-out center section that spans across the rear is also a design theme found on the original Z and the Nissan 300ZX (Z31).
![Tire Wheel Car Automotive parking light Vehicle]()
Rear spoiler: Both functional and visually dynamic, the ducktail-style rear spoiler was a popular tuner addition for first-generation Zs. The all-new Z takes inspiration with its own interpretation of the sporty rear spoiler.
![Tire Wheel Automotive parking light Car Land vehicle]()
Hidden design elements in the all-new Nissan Z
Iconic design details from past models celebrate the Z’s 50-year heritage
usa.nissanstories.com
Inspiration comes in all forms, and all senses. The spark of a great novel can come from hearing an intriguing story, a hit song from a photograph, and a new design from walking down memory lane. When Nissan unveiled the all-new Z in August 2021, the world got a glimpse at the seventh-generation Z with some keen fans pointing out some of the inspirations Nissan designers tapped into. But that was only half of it.
Like a kid in a candy shop, designers looked at the past 50 years of Z for inspiration, added a twist, and even hid some subtle elements of natural beauty to spark a love-at-first-sight impression that would develop into a bonding relationship between Z and beholder.
Join us as we explore some of the subtle – and not so subtle – visual cues from past models that artistically convey the Z’s rich 50-year history and celebrate its Japanese heritage.
Exterior
Side profile: Quite possibly the most iconic viewpoint of the Nissan sports car, the new Z exudes the familiar silhouette of the first-generation, with the rear section sitting lower than the front. The long nose and short deck, further emphasized by the sloping roof line, complete the iconic look.
Front and rear ride height/body styling and exterior door: The Golden Ratio, often called the most beautiful number in the universe, is a mathematical expression that can be seen in nature, such as a Nautilus shell, and also in art, such as masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, architecture, and even music. On the all-new Z, elements of the front and rear, window height and door panel utilize the Golden Ratio to impress a natural beauty and pleasing aesthetic to all.
Silver roof accent: Inspired by the shape and color of a katana blade (samurai sword), this unique accent highlights the lower body section and emphasizes the side view silhouette, especially when combined with a black roof.
The accent also conveys the car’s Japanese heritage, along with the high level of craftsmanship that goes into making the legendary blade.
Rear-quarter glass: The signature triangular quarter glass draws its inspiration directly from the first-generation Z. This unique shape was also used in the 370Z.
Hood: Known in the design halls as the “Z Bulge,” the hood takes the same approach to the hood as the original Nissan Z, with a raised bulge with sharp creases that accent the long nose and hint at the power under the hood waiting to be released.
Grille: The sharp rectangular design of the new Z’s grille allows for ample airflow to feed the twin-turbo V-6 engine, while also referencing a shape similar to the original Z and the 350Z. Looking closer, the new Z’s grille is made up of elongated oval shapes that also pay homage to the Z32’s taillamps.
Headlamps: The shape of the headlamps was patterned after the scooped-out design of the first-generation Z. The signature lighting, made up of two crescent LED bars of light, took inspiration from the glass-covered headlamps of the 240ZG, also known as the “G-nose” Z.
C-pillar Z logo: The all-new Nissan Z adopts a “Z” badge reminiscent of the first-generation S30 Z. It can even be found in the same position, a few inches beside the car’s rear quarter glass.
Taillights: The rear styling of the new Z was directly inspired by the Nissan 300ZX (Z32). The black-out center section that spans across the rear is also a design theme found on the original Z and the Nissan 300ZX (Z31).
Rear spoiler: Both functional and visually dynamic, the ducktail-style rear spoiler was a popular tuner addition for first-generation Zs. The all-new Z takes inspiration with its own interpretation of the sporty rear spoiler.
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