Nissan Improves the Z’s Looks

No, not a facelift, but a Japanese-market dealer-installed item

By Diego Rosenberg - January 22, 2023

Does the Nissan Z seem underwhelming to you? Maybe it feels too evolutionary from the 370Z that was discontinued not too long ago, but I was hoping for something more revolutionary. We currently have a Z in the office and, after a quick jaunt (alright, banzai run) around the block, my interest has been piqued and I now may be a fan. However, something still leaves me wanting with the styling.

So it is with some interest that I caught wind of this new dealer-installed bumper piece for the Japanese-spec Z, and now I may have the paradigm shift I always needed. This item creates a split grille appearance, giving the Nissan Z a look more like a modern iteration of the original 240Z.

Compare the front fascia of these two.

Do you prefer with or without the split?

Apparently this split grille design debuted on a custom Fairlady Z at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon a year ago. The Fairlady also featured black eight-spoke wheels, black graphics on the hood and doors, fender flares, and carbon fiber splitter and side skirts. According to Car and Driver, Nissan said that the car was to “gauge customer and fan interest for potential future accessory offerings.”

Now, a year later, it appears the bumper piece will be available as a dealer-installed option in Japan several months from now. There is no word on whether the piece will make it to America or if it will end up being a factory-installed piece, but both would make sense.

Do you prefer the look with or without the split grille?

Article courtesy of Classiccars.com