Nissan teases Z coupe ahead of August 17 reveal – update

UPDATE, August 13: Just a handful of days ahead of its unveiling, Nissan USA has released three short teaser videos of the new Z coupe on its Instagram page, providing the first official look at the sportscar.

While not revealing enough to undermine next week's reveal, the shots confirm previous spy photos of the Z are an accurate indicator of its finished design (see below).

The rear three-quarter panel design is reminiscent of the original 240Z while the eyelid-style daytime running lights give it a sharp, modern look to bring the Z nameplate into its seventh generation of production.

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Image from Nissan USA

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Image from Nissan USA

The story to here

June 11: Nissan fans can rejoice and mark down August 17 in their calendars – when the new Z car is to finally be revealed, nearly a year after the release of the Z Proto.

The date (and accompanying image above) was revealed by the Japanese carmaker on its social media channels this morning.

The idea of a new Z car was first revealed by Motor in a 2018 interview with Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan's Senior Vice President for Global Design, and details about the forthcoming sports car have been gaining momentum since the Z Proto was unveiled.

Initially thought to be called the 400Z, Nissan looks to have dropped the 400 moniker while keeping the Z title, which has been in circulation since the 240Z was released in 1969.

Speculation surrounding the details of the Z has been coming thick and fast since the Proto was shown off in September last year, but Nissan has 'unintentionally' released possible specs in the meantime.

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The Z Proto featured in the Project Cars 3 video game, with claimed power at 331kW – an achievable feat given the rumoured VR30DDTT powerplant produces 298kW in the Infiniti Q50/Q60 Red Sport.

Weight was also reduced to 1475kg from the 1515kg of its 370Z predecessor through the use of more lightweight materials throughout the chassis, bringing the power-to-weight ratio up to 224kW per tonne from the 370Z's 162kW per tonne.

Power will be delivered to the rear wheels through a choice of either a six-speed manual or a Mercedes-Benz developed nine-speed torque converter auto, as opposed to the seven-speed auto found in the Q50 and Q60.

Leaked photos of the Z showed it bearing much the same styling as the Proto – exterior dimensions leading it to sit 117mm longer, 5mm wider and 5mm lower than the 370Z, while front and rear tyre size increased by 30mm and 40mm respectively to 255/40 and 285/35.

Watch for more on the new Z to come in the weeks ahead.