Video: A Closer Look at the Nissan Z Proto Sports Car

Up close, the next-generation Z car is stunning.

The Nissan 370Z has existed on the market for over a decade and is now showing its age. Despite being outdated, the Z is still a lot of fun due to its rear-drive platform and standard six-speed manual and powerful V6 engine. The Nissan Z Proto, a thinly disguised preview for the 370Z’s successor, keeps all the goodies but adds modern technology and heritage-inspired style.

We were able to spend a few hours with the Z Proto alone, which allowed us to take in its curves and edges as well as its manual gearshift. The Proto’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 should generate 400 horsepower (298 kilowatts). Most likely, the Proto was sourced from the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport400 The engine can also be tuned to 300 hp (224 kW) and might appear in the base trims of Z’s next generation.

Video: A Closer Look at the Nissan Z Proto Sports Car

The Z Proto is even more striking up close than the photos. The square front grille looks less monolithic and unfinished than it does in photos. It features small rectangles with rounded corners that are very similar to the texture of the grille on the 240Z. We think that a little bit of silver trim, modeled after the original’s chrome bumpers, would help to break up the front end. Retro styling is also evident in the Z Proto’s hood, which has a distinctive power bulge at the windshield and sharp edges running down the middle that continue all the way to front bumper.

Video: A Closer Look at the Nissan Z Proto Sports Car

The front end may be a modern interpretation of the Nissan Z’s classic design, but the rear could have been adapted from the 1990s. The Z Proto’s blackout panel located between two rectangular taillights refers to the Z32-generation 300ZX. This means that it is not a car designed for one particular group.

Everybody can find something to love about the Nissan Z Proto, whether they are Boomers nostalgic for the original or Gen-Xers looking to redux it, or Millennials or Zoomers looking for technology and performance. Check out the video and let us know your thoughts.