While you were sleeping: Nissan Z Performance makes surprise appearance at dealer con, what to expect

On the night of Sunday, August 6th, the local online motoring press was abuzz with photos of a yellow Nissan Z. 

The pictures circulated were from the Nissan Philippines Dealer of the Year Awards, a private event in which dealers of the brand were commended for their performance in the past year. 

It was a surprising bit of news for a few reasons: 

1. The event happened on a Sunday night. Most motoring functions are held on weekdays. 

2. High-level Nissan Motor Limited executives were in town led by the company’s president and CEO, Makato Uchida; its executive vice president for manufacturing, Hideyuki Sakamoto;  and Asako Hoshino, the executive vice president for marketing & sales. 

Car companies would usually time major internal events such as these with the availability of key executives from either the region or the mother company from Japan. But to have the brand's top brass in attendance for a local market dealer award activity is quite significant. It says a lot about the importance of the Philippine market to the Mother Ship.

3. The event unveiled the Nissan Z to the dealers and their staff in attendance. 

That last bit is standard fare in such dealer conferences. Unveils of all-new models serve to energize the dealer network and invigorate the sales consultants. To inspire them and give them a reason to look forward to engaging with the brand. Of course, it’s another model they can sell to their customers.

What's the Z-ignifcance?

We reported last February that the Nissan Z was slated to be launched in March. And while that did not materialize, it was not without basis that we made the claim. It was just a matter of time before Nissan sorted its production and allocation tables. 

But after the reveal last Sunday, we also received information from a reliable source that the specifications of the new Nissan Z will be “almost the same to the Performance variant of the Nissan Z in the US."

The Performance variant is the mid-spec trim of the three-variant range of the Nissan Z in the US market.

So what does the Performance trim of the Nissan Z have?

According to the Nissan USA website, aside from the standard 400-hp 3.0-liter direct-injection twin-turbo V6 engine, the Performance trim will get the following specs on top of the base model Sport:

• Nissan GT-R (Specs | News)-inspired steering wheel paddle shifters

• 1.5-way mechanical clutch-type limited-slip differential

• Larger 14.0-inch vented front and 13.8-inch vented rear brake rotors

• 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels

• Chin and rear spoilers

• Power-heated side mirrors

• A lockable damped glove compartment

• 4-way power adjustable driver’s seat with manual lifter, lumbar and thigh support

• 4-way power adjustable passenger seat

• Seat heating

• Leather material with synthetic suede inserts

• Aluminum-trimmed pedals

• 9-inch NissanConnect touchscreen display

• Navigation

• Nissan Connect Services

• NissanConnect with Wi-Fi Hotspot

• Wireless Apple CarPlay

• Bose Premium Audio with eight speakers 

• Active noise cancellation

• Active sound enhancement. 

The Performance trim is heavier than the entry-level Sport by about 24 kilos. And while it won't have the yellow brake calipers, the gunmetal Rays rims, and the yellow interior trims of the top-ranging Proto, it is still a worthy spec to crave for. 

It should be noted that the display car seen at the Nissan Dealer of the Year Awards had a 9-speed automatic gearbox. In all likelihood, this is what we will get as well, as there is less demand for manuals nowadays. 

HM po?

As for the price, given that the Toyota Supra GR 8-speed AT is now priced at ₱5,396,000 and the Nissan Z has similar dimensions, near parity in engine performance, and equipment trim save for the adaptive suspension on the Supra, we reckon the price the Nissan Z won't be far off as well.

We’re looking at a mid-4 million peso range. It is a proper sports car, after all. For context, the Toyota Supra GR Sport and Nissan Z Performance have a ₱400,000 spread between them in the US. 

Will it be cheaper than the Supra? Likely, if Nissan wants to compete for volume. But in all likelihood, Nissan will maximize its margins for this model given the high customer interest and the exclusivity the Z commands. A high-4 million peso SRP? We hope not.

The Nissan USA website does indicate that the Z has limited availability. So that rarity can be a reason for Nissan Philippines to give itself some extra profit.