The new Nissan Z is hitting the track.
Nissan has given us a first look at its high-performance Z Nismo race car ahead of its racing debut at the Fuji 24-Hour Race at Fuji Speedway on June 4 and 5.
It has yet to confirm specifically what modifications have been made to the racer and what its outputs are, but under the bonnet is expected to be a reworked version of the road car’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine.
For context, the road-going Z’s twin-turbo V6 produced 298kW of power and 475Nm of torque.
This fettled engine is expected to be mated to some form of a sequential transmission, instead of the six-speed manual and nine-speed automatic options available in the road-going Z.
From what can be seen in the photos uploaded to Nismo’s Japanese website, additions to this Z Nismo racer include a red front tow hook, bonnet clamps and NACA ducts, roll cage, slotted brake discs, and a large rear wing.
This Z Nismo racer appears to be the car that was quickly shown in a video uploaded to YouTube by R Gelan earlier in April 2022.
Nissan is entering two of these racers into the NAPAC Fuji SUPER TECH 24-Hour Race at Fuji Speedway in the ST-Q class, which is a class for special development vehicles approved by approved by Super Taikyu Series and isn’t competitive.
Other vehicles that have previously competed in this ST-Q class is a Toyota Corolla that was modified to use a hydrogen-combustion engine, as well as a Mazda 2 that was modified to use biofuel.
The two teams that’ll pilot these Z Nismo racers are Nismo itself and another Japanese racing team called Max Racing which currently also races a modified Nissan 370Z in Super Taikyu races.
“We will train the car through a tough race of 24 hours and aim to develop an exciting race car suitable for the Z,” says Nissan in its press release when translated from Japanese to English.
It’s possible a road-going Z Nismo flagship could pay homage to this race car by featuring some of its aesthetic enhancements.
Nissan has confirmed its Toyota Supra fighter will launch later than initially planned due to myriad supply chain snags impacting carmakers.
Rather than June, the rear-wheel drive sports car will hit Japan during the North Hemisphere summer at some point between June and August 2022.
Nissan Australia hasn’t confirmed if supply problems will delay the Z’s arrival Down Under, with the coupe previously confirmed to touch down during the second half of 2022.
When it arrives, the Z will initially be offered in two trim levels. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission, while all models come with a mechanical limited-slip differential and launch control.
Z Proto Spec 
An undisclosed number of Z Proto Spec models based on the original prototype will be coming Down Under.
It adds bespoke 19-inch bronze forged alloy wheels, yellow brake calipers and interior accents, and the availability of an Ikazuchi Yellow body colour with Super Black roof.
MORE: Everything Nissan Z
