Z

Make
Nissan
Segment
Coupe

After months of speculation about a possible Nissan Z Nismo, the real deal has now been revealed at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas. And, while it won't carry the Nismo badge, there is a nod to the legendary brand's red-and-black color in the show car's livery and detailing.

Officially named the Nissan Z GT4, the newcomer is exclusively made for track racing duties. It will make its official track debut in 2023 with selected pilot customer teams in the US. The Nissan Z GT4 will compete in the SRO Pirelli GT4 America series and Japan's Super Taikyu Series, with Nissan providing technical support. Orders for other teams will open in mid-2023, in time for the 2024 racing season.

Details about the Z GT4's mechanical makeup are still fuzzy, but Nissan did reveal that the VR30DDTT 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivers 443 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque in this application - a healthy boost from the production Z's 400-hp rating in stock form. It certainly looks the business under the hood, with exposed aluminum boost pipes, blue silicone couplings, and an oil catch tank featuring prominently.

Outside suppliers feature heavily on the Nissan Z GT4 running gear check list, with the brakes supplied by Brembo, the lightweight alloy wheels by Rays, and the shock absorbers by Bilstein. These items signal serious intent, so expect the Z GT4 to be very capable on track, as it has already promised during extensive testing sessions in Japan.

Included in the $229,000 price tag will be the neatly-crafted roll cage, digital instruments, racing bucket seats, and fire extinguisher as shown on the SEMA car.

And don't even think about taking it on the road because Nissan makes it clear that the Z GT4 is a race car, pure and simple. But, with a little bit of luck, some of the GT4 car's special equipment might eventually make it through to a future Nismo-branded road car, too.

We live in hope.