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Despite Nissan's ailing financial health, they have pulled all stops out to bring us the sensational Z Concept. Technically based on last years' 240SX coupe, it is obvious where the inspiration for the design came from. The little details: recessed front lights, squat stance, fast-back shape - they all point to the much loved Z-cars of the late sixties and seventies. The influence is most obvious from the side. The long bonnet flows into a short cabin. The driver sits snug below high-sided flanks.
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Inside, the classic Datsun 240Z influence is apparent - large circular dials and air vents dominate, and all controls are angled towards the driver. In an ideal world, Nissan would produce this coupe as it is. The show car uses a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder (tuned by Nissan Motorsport) from the Nissan 240SX, producing 200bhp. This would be the prefered option if the concept reached production - a V6 would be too expensive. Unfortunately, it is likely that we will only see hints of this car in the styling of future Nissan models, not a stand alone model. Jerry Hirschberg, the cars chief designer, will be disappointed.
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