And it will have some pretty muted color options.
According to a leaked order guide posted to the New Nissan Z forum, the recently teased Nissan Z Nismo will be offered exclusively with a nine-speed automatic transmission – no manual here. In the teaser video released last week, pro drifter Chris Forsberg drove a car with paddle shifters, so we knew that an auto would be an option, but nobody expected a three-pedal option to be entirely unavailable.
For such an enthusiast-focused vehicle, it seems strange that the ultimate expression of Nissan Z performance can only be experienced with two pedals, but there's likely a very simple explanation for this decision.
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The Nissan Z is not as “all-new” as Nissan would have you think. Based on the aging architecture that underpinned the 14-year-old 370Z and the 350Z before that, the platform's manual transmission likely cannot handle an increase in torque. A boost in output has not yet been confirmed, but it goes without saying that buyers will expect an increase over the standard car's 400 horsepower/350 lb-ft of torque.
But should Nissan have spent the extra money to develop a manual? We're not so sure. It would likely have been too expensive, and where else could Nissan have used the transmission to offset those costs? Moreover, rivals who do offer a manual – such as Toyota with the Supra – expect low take rates for the three-pedal option.
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In other news, the same leaked dealer bulletin revealed some of the color and trim options. The only no-cost paint option for the Z Nismo will be Black Diamond Pearl. Other choices (all with a black roof) include Brilliant Silver Two-Tone, Passion Red Tricoat, Everest White Pearl Tricoat, and the Nismo-exclusive Stealth Grey. A dual racing stripe package is also available, while inside, a black-and-red mesh-look design will adorn the cabin. No other color schemes are listed, but the Nismo mats will likely match this scheme best anyway.
Nissan has not said when we can expect more details, but since last week's teaser was so revealing and since order guides are already in circulation, we expect a full breakdown to be released sometime this month, complete with pricing and performance details.
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Keyword: Sorry, Enthusiasts: 2024 Nissan Z Nismo Will Be Automatic Only