The new Nissan Z Nismo performance parts package adds some track-focused upgrades to the new Japanese coupe.
There’s been plenty going on at the 2022 edition of SEMA, including announcements such as this one from Nissan’s performance division.
Despite the positive anticipation surrounding the Nissan Z prior to its release, early reviews have all tended to suggest that as a driver’s car, it doesn’t quite live up to its biggest rival – the Toyota GR Supra.
So, Nismo has been enlisted to help improve the Z’s dynamic traits, and this is the package that they’ve come up with.
The suspension is a key element of the new Nissan Z Nismo accessories list. Coilovers with adjustable damping rates and an adjustable ride height make up the core of the new set-up, while the suspension linkage has also been thoroughly overhauled. Nismo stabilizer and strut tower bars make up some of the other additions to aid the car’s handling. As an extra cherry on top, each of these improvements have been given the thumbs up by Bryan Heitkotter, an experienced Nissan racing driver based over in the States.
The 3.0-litre V6 under the hood has received some attention too. A new Nismo intake system will aid with airflow, while a high-performance heat exchanger should help the car to cope better with vigorous track use. Backpressure has been reduced too thanks to a new 2.25-inch outer pipe exhaust.
Tuners, meanwhile, will be very intrigued to find out about the new twin-disc clutch and flywheel kit. Designed to take up to 800hp and 750lb ft of torque, if that’s not a green light to the aftermarket industry, I don’t know what is!
Of course, if you’re improving a vehicle’s performance, you also need to improve its stopping capabilities. Happily, Nismo will also hook you up with an improved brake kit, featuring larger vented discs all-round, 6-piston front/4-piston rear calipers, circuit-ready pads, and stainless-steel brake lines. Grip is supplied by a quartet of Bridgestone RE71RS tyres, within which sit a set of lightweight, 19-inch Nismo LM-RS1 alloy rims. Those can be specified in either a black, bronze, or anthracite finish.
There’s a whole load of visual enhancements that can be had as part of the performance parts package too. Carbon mirrors are probably the biggest change made to the exterior (bar the cool livery which isn’t part of the deal), with the focus instead being on interior elements of the car. For example, you can have a Nismo-branded steering wheel and shift knob, as well as a number of other small, driver-focused touches.
Is it enough to steal a march on the GR Supra though? Only time will tell.
