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Charting Nissan’s Z Innovation Amid Technological Revolution

Jan 21, 2022

Nissan occupies a niche spot in the US auto market, but are using the technological revolution as a catalyst to expand their bite of the market. Bloomberg reports that the Japanese carmaker is set to open a huge $1 billion investment in their US facilities in order to continue the development of their green car range, the company having identified the increased EV appetite in the USA as a clear market to exploit. The challenge for Nissan is producing cars that meet the specific needs of a very loyal American auto market.

Appealing to the strange

Nissan's Z series entered the market in 1970 and has been a popular mainstay of the sports car sector ever since. Debates over the latest models are always a source of controversy; enthusiasts rarely agree on the 350z vs 370z argument, for instance, with the performance improvements in the 370 not worth the loss of early 00's charm present in the 350. Nissan has a keen eye on what their customers value and have sought to keep that unique flavor in their new offerings. The 2023 Z series is set to combine futuristic design with curious features to entice enthusiasts. USA Today highlights in particular the lack of any number on its nameplate, which onlookers believe is a bold move; it brings the brand right back around to 1970, which is ironic given the innovation of the carmaker.

Innovation on the horizon

Innovation has come thick and fast for the new landmark Nissan Z series car. According to Forbes, the car will be faster than competitors such as the Toyota Supra, will go 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, and will sell for only $40,000. These specs can only be sourced from innovative engineering, and that's what Nissan have supplied in droves for their new products. As much as Nissan enthusiasts enjoy the quirks of the affordable sports car, they also cherish its performance. The Z line is all about bang for its buck.

End of the line?

The question many enthusiasts are asking is whether the Z plate will join the technological revolution in the auto industry - electrification. For the time being, the Z will remain a gas guzzler's car, albeit with a lot of efficiencies built in. According to Motor Trend, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta committed to the continued production of the Z class as long as there's a buzz around it. The future, however, is electrified, and it has been noted that the Z class - while continuing to look towards its rich history and heritage - will eventually need to turn towards electric. For the time being, however, the sports car steadfast will remain a feature of the combustion engine market.

For enthusiasts, that's good news. Each generation of the Nissan Z has had its own unique features and curious history that make it worth arguing for - and enthusiasts too. Retaining that engineering heritage, and developing it in new ways for the future, will keep the market happy.