After 13 years, Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. is finally replacing its entry to the highly competitive Super GT super racing series’ GT500 class. For those unaware, the car that Nissan has been entering into Japan's Super Grand Touring GT500 class since 2008 was the GT-R R35.
The new Nissan Z GT500
The new race car is based on the Nissan Z, which is of course part of the Nissan NEXT plan that was launched by the marque in 2020. Of note, this marks the return of a Z car into the Super GT as Nissan’s first forays into this sport in the 1970s was made successful using the S30 240Z. The brand also won a series championship in the 2000s with the Nissan 350Z (Fairlady Z).
Like the old GT-R GT500 it is replacing, the new Nissan Z GT500 race car is a silhouette racing car that differs from the commercial road-going version mechanically. It uses a “spec” tube-frame chassis, as well as a single turbo 2.0-liter inline-4 engine which is also required by the said race’s rules.
The turbocharged inline-4 the Z GT500 uses is significantly more powerful than its stock twin-turbo V6
While relatively small compared to other racing series’ specs and the Nissan Z’s stock V6, the said engine can produce around 650 horsepower. It is then paired with a six-speed paddle-shift gearbox.
As for its exterior though, we can see that the interesting shapes, curves, and angles of the new Z car are clearly seen on the new race car. It even uses the same lighting fixtures as the production model.
Like any GT500 car though, the look of the Nissan Z GT500 race car is further enhanced by functional exterior pieces. Specifically, it gets a huge rear wing, equally gigantic aero cowls, air ducts, and vents.
While the public will never get to drive this thing, it can serve as an inspiration for future modders of the Z
The new Nissan Z GT500 race car will then make its race debut during the 2022 Super GT season, where it will compete against the likes of the Toyota GR Supra and the Honda NSX.
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