Incomparable performance. Unbeatable price. Nissan’s Z series cars have been ‘born to thrill’ since 1969
The Nissan Z series has been on the road for more than 50 years and has built a loyal fan base among sports car enthusiasts. From hobbyist to hardcore, drivers agree that Z-Cars are all about the experience. And that experience has been stellar since day one. The Z series has always been built to perform, and now, in its seventh generation, it delivers better than ever!
Few brands have stood the test of time in the sports car arena. Nissan managed to do what many say is impossible. It pushes the envelope in performance, design, and innovation, and it does it while staying true to its roots. Continue reading to see all Nissan Z models that have been produced and learn more about the evolution of the Nissan Z series.
The Beginning of the Z Series
The first Zs hit U.S. roads in late 1969 and were immediately in high demand. The 1970 model year Datsun 240Z, also known as the Nissan S30 or Fairlady Z, was three years in the making. The result was a two-seater, 6-cylinder coupe with modern styling. The 1970 Datsun 240z featured a 2.4-liter inline-six engine with 151 horsepower, four or five-speed manual transmission, and front disc brakes. Not only was she a beaut, but she also won the 19th East African Safari Rally, proving she was the real deal and had the goods under the hood.
The 240Z was Nissan's answer to the growing demand for affordable sports cars.
The first-generation Z sold more than 520,000 units in its nine-year run. Nissan says that's a record for sports cars within a single model.
The 270Z changed the sports car market and laid the foundation for what would become the Z-Car's legacy. It boasted driving dynamics similar to a European sports car, challenging big names like Porsche and Jaguar - but at a price point people could afford. There was nothing like the Datsun 240z, Nissan S30 or Fairlady Z on the market.
Second Generation: 280ZX
The second-generation Nissan Z series car came out in 1978 as a '79 model year. The Datsun 280ZX was designed to give drivers a higher level of luxury. Both the interior and exterior feature new styling, including the first T-top on the Z series.
Its electronic fuel injection improved its performance and made it more reliable. Featuring a 2.8L SOHC inline-6 engine, the new Z had 144 lb-ft of torque, 135 horsepower and a 0-60 mph of 9.1 seconds.
Despite the challenges that the global oil crisis of the time and increasing regulations on emissions presented, the Datsun 280ZX was a solid step forward and built on the foundation laid by its predecessor.
Third Generation: 300ZX or Z31 Turbocharged!
The third generation of the Z series was the Nissan 300ZX or Z31, which was introduced in the U.S. in 1983. Harkening back to its Fairlady Z roots, the 300ZX had standard A/C and leather upholstery. Its sharp and sleek silhouette contributed to a distinctive style. One look at it today, and there's zero doubt in your mind that the 300ZX was the sports car of the '80s.
The turbocharged model featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine that generated 200+ horsepower and 227 lb-ft of torque. Along with advanced technology for the time – multi-point fuel injection, an advanced suspension system, and the car's aerodynamic design – the boost in power and performance made 300ZX competitive against its European brethren.
Like the models before it, this third-generation Z made sports cars even more accessible. Providing an optional 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission made the Nissan 300ZX a great entry point for sports car enthusiasts and casual drivers alike.
Fourth Generation: The Z32
The Z32 came out in 1989 and used the same name as the previous generation – Nissan 300ZX – but with bold new improvements to the Z series. With its distinctive front end with headlights slanted at over 60 degrees, the beautiful new styling was something to see.
This model loaded up the tech, including four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics, and an engine that made it one of the most powerful and complex cars of the time. The 1989 Nissan 300ZX featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine that was available in naturally aspirated (NA) or twin-turbocharged (VG30DETT) configurations. The 1989 Nissan 300ZX turbocharged version had around 300 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque.
The fourth-gen Z boasted exceptional maneuverability and increased performance. It was built for speed and precision and could more than hold its own against what the European carmakers were putting out.
But there was a tradeoff.
The latest Z-Car's increased price tag made it less accessible to its fanbase. Declining sales made the Z32 the last new generation of Zs of the 20th century.
Fifth Generation: Back to Basics - The 350Z
The fifth generation of the Z series roared onto the scene in 2002 and was an immediate hit with the sports car community. Talk about a comeback!
The Nissan 350Z's design was slick and sporty, but also familiar. You can see echoes of the 240Z reimagined for the 2000s. It's clearly part of the historic Z series.
Nissan's goal with the 350Z was to make the Z-Car accessible again. Two words sum it up: affordable performance.
Featuring a 3.5-liter V6 engine, 5-speed manual or automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, it quickly became a fan favorite. In addition to that the 2002 Nissan 350z offered a 287 hp VQ35DE engine, multi-link suspension and vented disc brakes. Sports car enthusiasts and critics loved everything about the newest Z. With a price tag in line with Nissan's tradition of accessibility and the 350Z's stellar performance, Z-Cars resumed their place as a top choice for the sports car set.
Sixth Generation: The 370Z & 370Z Roadster
The styling, with some refinements, carried forward to the sixth generation with the Nissan 370Z coupe and the Nissan 370Z roadster. They went into production in 2009.
With an available 7-speed automatic transmission, the 370Z coupe became a mainstay of Nissan's lineup. The carmaker packed a ton of power into the coupe's sleek frame with a 3.7-liter V6 and 332 horsepower. The new Nissan 370z’s performance delivered on the styling's promise.
The 370Z roadster convertible enjoyed a positive reception similar to its coupe sibling. Nissan produced this model for 10 years.
The Z Series Today
All of that brings us to the seventh-generation Z-Car. The 2025 Nissan Z features a modern design that holds true to iconic Z elements and, of course, builds on the promise of performance that started with the Fairlady Z back in 1969.
With its 400-horsepower, 3-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine, Nissan says the 2025 Nissan Z was "born to thrill."
And Z lovers are here for it.
"I would buy one in a heartbeat, but I can't abandon my Lady," said Issac "Zac" Bannerling. Lady is Zac's 350Z, and it's safe to say he fell in love the moment he saw her. "Driving is my happy place," he said. "Lady really lets me connect with the road. There's nothing like it. It's one of the best kinds of fun.”
"I've driven more makes and models than I can count on my fingers and my toes - times 5. Maybe 6," Zac continued. "But my Lady is hands-down the best. Nothing -- and I mean nothing - compares to a Z-Car."
The Nissan Z has always been a sports car lover's dream. Ask almost any Z-Car owner what they like best about their car, and their answers are invariably similar to Zac's. No matter where they fall on the family tree, Z-Cars are fun to drive.
So, are you ready to have some fun? Visit Coulter Nissan today to check out the new 2025 Nissan Z and an array of re-owned Z-Cars!