Virtually, the same car, but following different philosophies. Here's why choosing the right Nissan Z is not as simple as you think.
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The new Nissan Z is one of the best things that happened in the automotive world, in recent times. Enthusiasts got a new, Japanese sports car that's relatively attainable and packs a punch. It didn't take long for Nissan to bring out spicier editions of the Nissan Z, and the most notable among those are the Nissan Z NISMO and Nissan Z Heritage Edition.
Both are fairly different from one another, but great in their own right. The question remains, if you are on the lookout for a Z that has a bit of extra zest, which one of these should you choose? I looked at the two models and compared them in terms of performance, pricing, and rarity to determine which one is the better purchase.
The NISMO Z is optimized for track performance, but it's going to cost you
The Nissan Z NISMO has received tasteful enhancements compared to the regular Z in order to tackle the race track with more confidence. The NISMO Z comes with stiffer suspension, more aggressive Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tires, forged Rays wheels, a more aggressive body kit, and a slight bump in power, along with a special drive mode that provides superior throttle response. Most importantly, the chassis has been reinforced for extra rigidity.
The interior benefits from Recaro seats with manual adjustments, Alcantara inserts, and an Alcantara steering wheel with a 12 o'clock market. Nissan decided not to offer a manual on the NISMO Z since the Mercedes-derived automatic makes the Nissan Z quicker. All that track-optimized performance from NISMO will cost you. The Nissan Z NISMO starts at $66,890. Nissan hasn't put a cap on the NISMO Z's production so production numbers will depend solely on demand by clients.
Nissan Z NISMO performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, twin-turbo V-6
- Power: 420 horsepower at 6,400 RPM
- Torque: 382 pound-feet at 2,000-5,200 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 9-speed automatic, RWD
- Curb weight: 3,703 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- Top speed: 157 mph
The Nissan Z Heritage Edition tickles the senses and plays off the racing heritage
The Nissan Z Heritage Edition is based on the Nissan Z Performance trim. This means it has all the performance goodies – bigger wheels and brakes, limited-slip differential, and sportier suspension. Unlike the NISMO Z, the Heritage Edition's engine remains unchanged from the regular Nissan Z. The aesthetics are inspired by the Datsun Z432 – a sportier version of the Datsun 240Z, powered by the original GT-R's S20 engine that was meant for racing.
The exterior features bright orange paint, classic graphics, over fenders, retro-inspired, 19-inch alloy wheels, and a new front fascia, unique to the Heritage Edition. That last styling decision is the most welcome improvement over the base Nissan Z, which was criticized for its square grille design. The interior of the Z Heritage Edition is not much different than the regular car, apart from the extra suede on the seats. Nissan should have carried over the orange theme inside, but for some reason they didn't.
Minus points there. Regardless, the Nissan Z Heritage Edition is the more engaging model, since unlike the track-focused NISMO Z, the Datsun Z432-inspired variant can be had with a manual. With a starting price of $60,275, the Z Heritage Edition is over $6,000 more affordable than the NISMO Z, although some might argue it is a bit too much for a Nissan with old bones.
There is no saying how many units of the Z Heritage Edition will be made, but Nissan says there will be limited availability. The original Z-car made its debut on 22 October 1969, which means this year will be the model's 55th anniversary. It was in 1969 that the high-performance Datsun Z432 debuted as well. I suspect Nissan might close orders for the Z Heritage Edition shortly after.
Nissan Z Heritage Edition performance specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter, DOHC, twin-turbo V-6
- Power: 400 horsepower at 6,400 RPM
- Torque: 350 pound-feet at 1,600-5,600 RPM
- Transmission and drivetrain: 9-speed automatic/ 6-speed manual, RWD
- Curb weight: 3,485-3,596 pounds
- 0-60 mph: 4.2-4.5 seconds
- Top speed: 155 mph
The conclusion
There is no right or wrong answer here. Both special-edition Nissan Z models are good in their respective areas. If on-track performance is what you are after, the NISMO Z is the one to get. If you want a more engaging sports car for the twisty roads that provide a more classic driving feel, the Heritage Edition is the one to get. It's also the more affordable one. Neither of the two cars has a limited production run, but the Heritage Edition might be axed sooner, given it commemorates a special-edition Datsun 240Z, produced in 1969.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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