[Rusty]

sources within Nissan dealerships told Autoblog that the new Nissan Z is going to have a variant of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Infiniti Q50/Q60 400 Red Sport (which makes up to 400 horsepower). This is very promising because aside form the GT-R, this is the most powerful engine that Nissan offers.

Along with the twin-turbo V6 the Z car is expected to be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a manual transmission (thank God!)

They also hinted that a Nismo variant is expected in the future and that engine could produce up to 500 horsepower.

From a powertrain perspective, we’re told that a version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Infiniti Q50/Q60 400 Red Sport will be pulled for duty. That engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission only right now, but we’re told a manual transmission will be offered alongside the automatic. As a reminder, Nissan did pair the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with a manual in a 370Z SEMA show car previously, but it still hasn’t seen a production application.

As for a possible Nismo variant in the future, one of our sources also tells us it’s likely that we’ll see this version join the next-generation Z car eventually. Close to 500 horsepower is rumored for this specific flavor of Z.

 

[fairlady]

Keeping that engine makes sense because typically Nissan does not like to introduce a new powertrain and a new model all at the same time.

Take the new Frontier for instance. Nissan made headlines recently when it launched the engine for the next-gen Frontier in only the last model year of the current Frontier production. Nissan does that so that their quality engineers have one thing to focus on -- powertrain one year, then the new model the next.

The same thing is happening with the Z35 new Z. We're going to see the 400Z or 380Z or whatever-they-call-it launch with a version of the Q60 engine, and then maybe two years later Nissan is going to overhaul the powertrain to keep the model fresh anyway because sports car sales typically drop off massively after the first year or so.

 

[Rusty]

Keeping that engine makes sense because typically Nissan does not like to introduce a new powertrain and a new model all at the same time.

Take the new Frontier for instance. Nissan made headlines recently when it launched the engine for the next-gen Frontier in only the last model year of the current Frontier production. Nissan does that so that their quality engineers have one thing to focus on -- powertrain one year, then the new model the next.

The same thing is happening with the Z35 new Z. We're going to see the 400Z or 380Z or whatever-they-call-it launch with a version of the Q60 engine, and then maybe two years later Nissan is going to overhaul the powertrain to keep the model fresh anyway because sports car sales typically drop off massively after the first year or so.

That would be a bit frustrating for me if they switch the engine up that early into the car's lifespan.

 

[fairlady]

That would be a bit frustrating for me if they switch the engine up that early into the car's lifespan.

Toyota just frustrated a whole group of Supra owners because the Supra is now shipping with 47 more horsepower than the first year model. People are going to avoid the first-year run because that's a significant power difference. Also, there was chassis stiffening and a better suspension for the second-year -- more big differences! This is a great strategy to irritate your biggest fans, so hopefully Nissan doesn't do this with the Z35.

The 2021 Toyota Supra has 382 horsepower and a lighter, cheaper sibling — here's what you need to know

Toyota revived the Supra name last year after a nearly 20-year hiatus. Now, just a short time later, the brand has introduced some major updates.

www.businessinsider.com