Next-Gen Nissan 370Z Test Mule Spotted At Nurburgring – Specs And Release Date

The current Nissan 370Z has been in production for over ten years and somehow hasn’t undergone any major changes over that time. But now a test mule has been spotted at the legendary Nurburgring. It’s time to get excited, people!

The 370Z was never a great car. It was numb and hefty, albeit good looking, and was never able to hold a candle to the original Fairlady models. But seeing a test mule has set our minds racing and palms sweating.

Possible specs of the upcoming Fairlady

It’s likely that this new Z car will have to compete with the likes of the new Toyota Supra, so expect an engine – more than likely a V6 – that produces around 400bhp. The twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 from the Infinity Q50 produces 400bhp in its current form, so we could expect a departure from the NA engine of the current Z to a turbocharged example.

As you can see from the photos taken from the car currently undergoing testing on the ‘Ring, it has more venting at its nose, indicating a need for more cooling. This could be hinting at a turbocharged powertrain as described above.

A hybrid powertrain could also be on the books, but I would expect Nissan to stick to its guns with the Z and maintaining an averagely light, battery-less car, especially as there is already talks of the next GTR becoming a hybrid. It’s more likely Nissan will stay away from overlapping these two models by maintaining a 100% internal combustion powertrain for the next Z, and exploring a high performance hybrid powertrain with the GTR.

Giovanni Arroba, Nissan’s electric car head, is overseeing the new 370Z, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will incorporate electric power. I believe it would be the wrong decision for the Z.

A higher performance version could be the answer, with a special NISMO version, for example, wielding a hybrid powertrain to extract more performance from the V6 engine and to fill in where the turbos lag. This would also give customers the option to opt for a high priced, heavier, but higher performance model, or the lower weight but more sports orientated model without the hybrid system. Food for thought.

Release Date and Price

Of course, this is all speculation at the moment, but a price of around £50,000 is expected so it can compete in a similar sector to the Supra and Porsche Cayman.

A release date is a real stretch, but I would expect to see the new 370Z released to the public towards the end of 2020. We’ve been treated to plenty of extended waits for new cars *cough* the Supra *cough* so let’s not get too excited just yet.

We’re very excited for the Fairlady sports car line to grow. Let’s just hope Nissan know what its customers want.