SBA looks back at iconic Nissan Z’s exciting lineage spanning across seven generations

MUSCAT: The seventh generation Nissan Z 2023 is nothing short of spectacular. However, to truly appreciate the Z brand, one must understand how it started and how decades of fine-tuning led to ultimate perfection, says a senior official of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA).

Since its launch in 1969, Nissan Z has proven itself as a strong competitor on and off the racetrack, selling over 1.8 million units to date and earning the admiration of enthusiasts across the globe.

A senior official of SBA explains, “The legacy of Nissan sports cars has been built over more than 50 years with more than 40 models. Some of Nissan’s sports cars include: the original Nissan Skyline, the modern GT-R, the historical Fairlady Z, the Nissan 350Z, and the newly unveiled Nissan Z. Nissan has earned its reputation of being strong contenders on and off the track. The original Z was sold in October of 1969 in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z at Nissan Exhibition dealerships that previously sold the Nissan Bluebird. It was initially marketed as the Datsun 240Z for international customers. Since then, Nissan has manufactured seven generations of Z-cars.”

About the Nissan Z 2023 he says, “The all-new Nissan Z serves up classic sports car proportions of a long hood and a short rear deck. Staying true to its performance roots, and iconic Z styling elements, it creates a complete modern design That’s not all, the all-new 2023 Z has a powerful six-cylinder under the hood; a front midship, and a rear-wheel-drive design that places the engine farther back in the chassis for enhanced balance.”

The Nissan Z’s exhilarating heritage, which spans over five decades and seven generations, serves as a clear reminder of the icon’s thrilling driving experiences:

First Generation

The Nissan Fairlady Z (240Z) launched in 1969 as it was known at that time, marked the first-generation of Nissan Z cars that would go on to rewrite the history of sports cars. A culmination of three years of research and design, the Nissan 240Z successfully went on to become a modern-styled, two-seater, six-cylinder coupe that delivered on its promise of thrill, selling over 520,000 units globally, and setting the record for sports car sales. As a testament to its performance, the first-generation Z also participated in and emerged the overall winner of the 19th East-African Safari Rally in 1971.

Second Generation

The second-generation Nissan Z (280ZX), which was launched in 1978, boasted a refreshed interior and exterior with a higher level of luxury to meet the growing demands of sports car customers. The 280ZX offered four-wheel disc brakes, a 2+2 model, a Turbo model, and the first offering of T-tops on a Nissan Z.

Third Generation

A few years later, in 1983, the Fairlady Z evolved into the third generation (300ZX), bringing standard air conditioning and leather upholstery, while retaining the accessible entry point of its predecessors that enthusiasts loved. An outright sales success for Nissan, the 300ZX came equipped with a newly designed V6 turbo engine and secured its position on Nissan’s wall of fame by winning the All-Japan Rally Championship in 1985.

Fourth Generation

Released in 1989, the fourth-generation model differentiated itself from its predecessors with a bold and unique design that lent the model a wider stance. A distinctive front end with headlights slanted at over 60 degrees, a lively silhouette, and short overhangs accentuated the model’s manoeuvrability and performance, while also being the first Nissan Z to be offered with a twin-turbocharged engine.

Fifth Generation

Bringing joy to enthusiasts across the globe by ending a six-year production hiatus in 2002, the Nissan 350Z paid homage to its predecessors with numerous styling elements borrowed from the iconic 240Z and helped Nissan rejuvenate its market presence. Tuned to perfection, the all-aluminium V6 in the 350Z, with twin-cam heads, variable valve timing, and a stout compression ratio, produced nearly double the power of the original Z sports car.

Sixth Generation

Introduced in 2009, as a Coupe and Roadster, the Nissan 370Z delivered an exhilarating 332 horsepower from its 3.7-liter aluminium alloy V6 engine and was complemented by a sleek and aerodynamic design. For the true enthusiasts, a NISMO version was later introduced, that intensified the model’s head turning design and ramped the power up to a whopping 350 horsepower! At an exclusive event held in Dubai, UAE the Nissan 370Z also secured its first Guinness World Record title in 2014 by setting the record for the longest twin-vehicle drift measuring 28.52 kilometres.

Seventh Generation

Featuring iconic design details from past models, the all-new Nissan Z celebrates the sports car’s rich 50-year heritage. The all-new model is the most powerful Nissan Z to date, and the first to enrich driving experiences with the induction of launch control to the model’s line-up. Since 1969, the Nissan Z has stood for everything Nissan believes about sports cars. Despite changing times and advancements in technology, the brand’s passion to deliver a thrilling driving experience remains intact and will be showcased at the regional unveiling of the all-new seventh-generation model later this year.