Now just Nissan Z, it has quite a history, the original 151-horsepower Datsun 240Z arriving on the scene as a 1970 model with a price tag of about $3,500. It was a basic yet serious sports car that challenged competitors. There were speed bumps, including early ’70s emissions regulations and 300ZX’s attempt to domesticate the beast. Fortunately, Z returned to its roots in the early aughts with the 350Z. And the new one sticks to that formula.
There’s no mistaking the interior for the previous generation. The new Z is modern with a digital driver’s display and a bright 8- or 9-inch center touchscreen that’s easy to use with redundant controls and shortcuts. Thankfully, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto finally arrived. Braking is strong, steering quick and accurate, and cornering a thrill. I tested the 6-speed manual transmission, which seemed like too much work at times. But all models can be matched to a 9-speed automatic for no added cost.