VIDEO: Nissan reveals hardcore Nismo Z

Nissan has shown off a hardcore Nismo Z for the first time – and it gets very sideways.

The Nissan Nismo Z has been anticipated since the coupe's launch way back in August 2021 and, although details are sparse, the video foreshadows some of Nismo's modifications.

Three-time Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg briefly peers under the Nismo Z’s bonnet where the familiar ‘VR30DDTT’ 3.0-litre V6 sits visually unchanged.

The standard car’s 298kW475Nm punch is already brutish, but what's the harm in a few extra kilowatts? A freer-flowing exhaust and intake (as heard in the video) would undoubtedly liberate a few extra horses from the Z.

The Nismo’s wider black multi-spoke alloy wheels are fitted with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx branded rubber, though their broad and blocky shoulders with few sipes hint at more trackday-focused tyres than regular Dunlops.

Sitting lower than the standard Z, the fender-lipped Nismo looks muscular. Red accents that run around the lower part of the new side skirts and more aggressive front valance complement the red brake calipers with a generous lip spoiler add to the effect.

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Inside the cabin is one of the most important changes: Recaros. The red and black buckets feature Nismo insignia at the top and the tell-tale Recaro badging beneath – these ought to be an improvement on the standard car’s slightly-too-high pews.

The digital dash is largely unchanged save for the added Nismo graphic on start-up. On the screen, we can see the Nismo Z also has an unchanged 7000rpm rev limit.

Nismo has added a Sport+ setting to the Z’s drive mode suite, bringing the count to three with Normal and Sport of the regular car. Whether the Nismo’s selector will be hooked up to adaptive dampers is yet to be confirmed.

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The pictured Z is a nine-speed auto – you can tell from the wide brake pedal and wheel-mounted paddles. An odd choice for the performance car perhaps, but maybe it’s faster shifting than the manual. Who knows if we’ll see both transmissions available.

No matter for Forsberg, of course, as he slithers about, at 28 seconds making eye contact and throwing thumbs up to the camera. Presumably, that means Nismo has tweaked the Z’s chassis to make it more controllable at the limit. We can’t wait to find out in a rematch with the Toyota Supra.

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"She goes alright", or something to that effect

Nissan hasn’t given dates for the Nismo’s launch; we’d wager it’ll debut later this year or in early 2024. Pricing is also yet to be determined, though expect a $10-20K premium if the Nismo Z does come to Australian shores.