UPDATE: Nissan has dropped a new teaser video (below) that confirms that the Nissan Z Proto, and thus likely the production version that will follow, will feature a manual transmission—as hinted in an earlier teaser. A brief bit of engine sound also seems to confirm that a V-6 engine is underhood, as expected. The original article continues below.
Nissan will introduce a Z prototype, called the Z Proto, on September 15 for audiences here in the U.S. Ahead of the big digital debut, a new teaser seems to confirm the sports car will offer a manual transmission. We also get a closer look at some of the car’s important exterior design details.
You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled to see all the clues in this video. It isn’t until the end that we see a quick flash of a hand on what appears to be the Z Proto’s new manual shifter. In another brief moment, the video also confirms what we already suspected: the Z will feature 300ZX-inspired taillights. A few days ago, Nissan design boss Alfonso Albaisa revealed a sketch of the thin, elongated lighting elements that provide a modern take on earlier Z generations, particularly the Z32 300ZX of the early 1990s.
Once again, we can see the Nissan Z Proto’s attractive silhouette. The steep roof harkens back to the current 370Z, although the overall design is more fluid. A long hood, chrome strip on the roof, and sharp body lines contribute to the more streamlined look. We can clearly see design cues that reference the Zs of yesteryear, including the rounded headlights and the Z badge mounted on the C-pillar.
What remains unclear is the powertrain. The next generation may pack a 4.0-liter V-6 as rumors of a 400Z badge would suggest. Or it could get a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 from Infiniti’s Red Sport 400 models. Since the upcoming reveal is a prototype, we may have to wait some time before finding out this information.
You can watch the Nissan Z Prototype debut on TheNissanNext.com on September 15 at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
