Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 NISMO

Last year, the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 was launched and it's known to be the ultimate Fairlady Z ever made in the midst of its new normal. Although it's still a Heisei-era Z-car underneath, the improvements really made the RZ34 the Z car fit for the Reiwa era.

2024 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO

2024 Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO interior

Those who demand more from the RZ34 got what they wanted; the most complete RZ34 ever made; the all-new Nissan Fairlady Z NISMO.

Starting at 9,200,400 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the RZ34 Fairlady Z NISMO morphed the RZ34 you're familiar with into the ultimate road-legal track weapon that tries its very best to impersonate the racing machines that donned the RZ34 attire such as the Super GT racing machine and the Formula Drift one popularized by Chris Forsberg.

Although it looks and feels just like the RZ34 Fairlady Z, the NISMO version juiced the RZ34 with NISMO-exclusive aerodynamic upgrades and specially-made RAYS 19-inch forged aluminum wheels. Inside, the RECARO sports seats, Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, a specially-made instrumental panel, and a drive mode selector truly differentiate the Z NISMO from the regular Z.

Get your popcorn ready because here comes the main course of the RZ34 Fairlady Z NISMO: the performance. The 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine that powers it got juiced with additional 20PS of power, making it 420PS. It's the most powerful Z-car ever made. Whilst the added power comes with a painful price; it's mated exclusively with a revised 9-speed automatic with paddle shifters, which is a total turn-off for speedo boys behind the wheel even when it's set to SPORT+. Fuel economy is around 9.2km/L based on WLTC Mode standards.

Complaining about the gearbox while praising the added power output, the driving pleasure never felt even more addictive thanks to its NISMO-tuned chassis, improved torsional rigidity of the body, and other improvements. Whether you're out on a track day or in a middle of a drifting pleasure, rest assured that the sport-tuned dynamics the RZ34 NISMO possesses will not be overlooked. In fact, you'll find plenty of reasons to enjoy it.

While the ultra-expensive pricetag and the automatic gearbox are a total turn-off, the added power and sport-tuned dynamics made the Fairlady Z NISMO RZ34 the complete version of what's known to be the ultimate Fairlady Z ever made in the midst of its new normal. With such performance and exclusivity, it's okay to express some burning jealousy when you see one because, truth be told, we just want one. That's Plan Z for you, Gen Z boys and girls.

Available Colors: NISMO Stealth Grey/Super Black 2-tone, Carmine Red/Super Black 2-tone, Brilliant Silver/Super Black 2-tone, Prism White/Super Black 2-tone, and Midnight Black.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Nissan Note Aura Nismo

The Note Aura, the dark side of the new Nissan Note that shares the same stuff as the regular one but with luxury touches and a wide form to differentiate, has been given the NISMO treatment and nothing says darker than a semi-hot hatchback fit for the grassroots racer starting his first track day at Tsukuba.

2022 Nissan Note Aura NISMO

2022 Nissan Note Aura NISMO

Priced at 2,869,900 Japanese Yen (around $29,000) plus additional costs, the Note Aura NISMO turns an oversized woman's purse into a speedo boy machine that looks like what speedo boys wanted but with the performance not yet ready to become a speedo boy's favorite. More with that later on but first, the styling.

2022 Nissan Note Aura NISMO interior

The normal Aura features a unique exterior design and a more premium interior to differentiate itself from the normal Note. The Aura NISMO, meanwhile, features signature NISMO elements implemented not just on the exterior but on the interior as well. The exterior features a signature NISMO aero kit to make look speedo-boy-friendly while the interior features a red-and-black theme just like most NISMO vehicles wear, not to mention the available RECARO sports seats to give speedo boys a much driving experience on the road and track.

No power boost here, sorry speedo boys. The Aura NISMO still runs on the e-POWER powertrain mated to a CVT gearbox. If you don't know what e-POWER is, it's where the 100kW electric motor does the talking while the 1.2L petrol engine supplements the battery and the motor.

The front-wheel-drive Aura NISMO features a specially-made NISMO mode that gives this hatchback a more responsive driving feel even while enjoying a nice Sunday drive at the Hakone turnpike. With cornering as its main topic, the Aura NISMO's aero kit features a greater downforce fit for cornering. Along with its sport-tuned suspension setup, monotube-type rear shock absorber, optimized body rigidity, and specially-made MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4 tires, the Aura NISMO feels surprisingly accessible to drive on the road and track. Although not as fun as what the speedo boys hoped, it's rather impressive for a different kind of JDM hot hatch.

Of course, like today's cars adjusting to the new normal, the Aura NISMO features a wide range of ADAS such as Pro-Pilot, Intelligent BSI, and Intelligent FCW to name a few.

So, the Aura NISMO, what's it feel like? Although it's not what the speedo boys hoped for, this near-thirty-grand hot hatch is reasonably priced and fit for the grassroots driver within. Enjoy your Sunday drive with this newest NISMO vehicle.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.