A Pure Sports Car Driven by the Driver—Nissan Unveils the Fairlady Z Prototype | NISSAN
NISSAN FAIRLADY Z Prototype | Nissan Fairlady Z Prototype
Nissan Unveils the Fairlady Z Prototype
On September 16, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled the prototype model of its historic flagship sports car, the "Fairlady Z," in an online event attended by Z fans from around the world.
Text by Akira Hara
Design Inspired by the Original S30
The "Fairlady Z Prototype" measures 4,382mm in length, 1,850mm in width, and 1,310mm in height. Its powertrain combines a V6 twin-turbo engine with a manual transmission, housed within a traditional sports car silhouette featuring a long nose and short deck. The tire sizes are specified as 255/40R19 for the front and 285/35R19 for the rear.
Makoto Uchida, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Makoto Uchida, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
"The Z, a pure sports car, is the very spirit of Nissan. It is also a crucial model in our ongoing business structure reform, NISSAN NEXT. NISSAN NEXT represents our commitment to doing what others won't, from A to Z. As a Z enthusiast myself, I am proud to unveil the Fairlady Z Prototype today," said Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida.
Furthermore, Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President of Global Design, stated, "Combining a retro-modern theme with futurism was a challenge for us. Our designers looked back at previous models, created countless sketches, and engaged in extensive discussions to arrive at this Fairlady Z Prototype."
Alfonso Albaisa, Senior Vice President of Global Design
Drawn and developed by the Japanese design team, the "Fairlady Z Prototype" boasts a captivating design that inherits the silhouette and iconic front and rear motifs of the original S30 model. The prototype features a unique yellow body color, reminiscent of past Z models, developed with an unparalleled vibrancy and contrast of light and shadow through solid pearl. Combined with a black roof, this creates a modern and futuristic color combination.
Rear Design Inspired by Previous Z Models' Taillights
The exterior features a hood bulge shape and teardrop-shaped LED headlights that evoke the S30's design. The rectangular grille opening also inherits an icon from previous Z generations. The inner oval fins, along with a unified graphic used in the rear combination lamps, not only create a distinctive Z aesthetic but also express a design that balances sportiness and elegance.
"The dual semi-circle design in the LED headlights is inspired by the '240ZG' sold in the 1970s. The 240ZG featured a design with a dome-shaped lens over the headlights that created a circular reflection. We cherished that unique characteristic and its Z-ness, and incorporated it into the Fairlady Z Prototype," explained Alfonso Albaisa.
The side silhouette expresses the distinctive profile of the S30 model through a roofline that extends from the long nose to a vertically cut-off tail end, and a rear design that gently slopes downward, slightly lower than the front fender. The rear design is a modern interpretation of a design theme inspired by the taillights of several past Z models, such as the S30 and Z32, creating a more captivating and uniquely Z design. The taillights feature a layered, illuminated effect, offering a beautiful, high-tech, and advanced visual presentation.
The carbon-molded side sills, rear bumper, and the chin spoiler beneath the front bumper convey a sense of high performance befitting a sports car. The 19-inch alloy wheels and the dual exhaust outlets strongly express the presence of the Fairlady Z Prototype.
An Interior Crafted with Professional Racing Drivers
In the interior, the ideal meter design and cabin space were considered alongside professional racing drivers. The most distinctive feature is the 12.3-inch full digital meter display. When the tachometer needle points straight up, the shift-up indicator flashes, prompting the driver to shift gears and assisting in sporty driving. Other instruments indicating the car's status are also designed for immediate comprehension, ensuring the driver knows the car is in optimal condition at a glance.
The Z-specific steering wheel has been newly designed with a deep-cone shape that expresses its sports car nature. Its easy-to-grip shape and clearly visible switchgear provide the potential to maximize the car's performance.
Additionally, yellow stitching, matching the body color, is applied in various places on the instrument panel. A yellow stripe pattern with a gradient effect is designed in the center of the seats, creating an emotional, three-dimensional, and sporty interior.
"The latest EV, the 'Ariya,' announced this summer, features cutting-edge electrification and driver-assistance technologies, offering a completely new driving experience. The Z, inheriting our tradition of innovation, will be released as a pure sports car where the driver is the protagonist. The Z is the DNA of Nissan, our passion itself," commented CEO Uchida.
Inquiries
Nissan Customer Service Center Tel. 0120-315-232 (9:00-17:00, excluding Dec 31-Jan 2) http://www.nissan.co.jp/
