Nissan Z Proto previews next-generation sports car with twin-turbo V-6, retro-modern design

The Nissan Z car has inspired generations of sports car fans since it was released in 1969. It has been an upstart, a disco-era style statement, an upscale sports car, and a long-in-the-tooth coupe just trying to hold on. All the while, it aimed for driver engagement and a sense of style. The Z Proto Nissan showed on Tuesday combines all of those elements, along with elements of design from the car’s six generations.

The prototype appears to be a thinly disguised version of the Z35-generation production model due in the next 18 months to two years, at least from a design standpoint.

Nissan provided sparse information, so let’s start with what we know. The Z Proto combines styling elements from past Zs with an eye toward the future.

Nissan Z Proto

Nissan Z Proto

“Our designers made countless studies and sketches as we researched each generation and what made them a success,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s head of design. “Ultimately, we decided the Z Proto should travel between the decades, including the future.”

The first-generation car, the 240Z, inspired the shape of the hood, the canted teardrop LED headlights, and the long-hood, short-deck profile with the cabin pushed back. The current model’s rectangular grille sits up front, and the Z32 300ZX of the 1990s can be seen in the taillights and the shape of the rear end, especially above the rear diffuser. The pearl yellow paint is a tribute to a popular color on both the 240Z and Z32 300ZX generations.

Nissan Z Proto

Nissan Z Proto

But the Z is modern, too. Carbon-fiber trim is used for the side skirts, front lower lip, and rear valance to reduce weight and fit a modern aesthetic.

The Proto Z is 4.7 inches longer than the current car, likely due to longer overhangs. It’s also marginally taller and wider. It rides on 19-inch wheels, while the current model has 20s. Chief engineer Hiroshi Tamura said the 19s give the car enough tire for a reasonable ride quality.

Under the long hood sits a twin-turbocharged V-6 hooked to a 6-speed manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive layout.

Nissan Z Proto

Nissan Z Proto

Inside, the Z Proto features an exclusive dished steering wheel that sits in front of a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with the tach in the middle and the 7,000-rpm redline at the 12 o’ clock position. The one picture Nissan shared shows boost and water and oil temperature gauges in the cluster, though analog versions of those gauges also line the top of the dashboard.

The Z Proto’s black upholstery features yellow contrast stitching on the seats, instrument panel hood, dashboard, and door panels to play off the exterior color. The seats appear to be upholstered in a combination of leather and synthetic suede with yellow stripes. A center screen, likely an 8.0-inch touchscreen, on the dash provides infotainment functions.

What we don’t know starts with the engine. Nissan hasn’t confirmed how much power it will create or what size it is. Infiniti has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 400 horsepower. That’s likely the setup for the next Z. In fact, we expect the car will be called the 400Z.

Nissan Z Proto

Nissan Z Proto

We also don’t know what changes will be made to the structure and suspension, though we suspect not many. Nissan only shared that “work is underway to synchronize the power with the grace and control that has defined the Z for the past 50 years.” It appears that the next Z will use the same platform as the current car and Tamura said it will drive like a dance partner. The switch to 19-inch wheels could also reduce unsprung weight, which improves handling. Tamura told us last year that the next-gen Z might not be much lighter, but its suspension should help it drive like it is.

In addition, we don’t know what model year the next Z car will be, its trim levels, standard and optional equipment, available safety features, and pricing. Will the new Z offer a higher-performance Nismo model? Will it stay in line with the current model’s roughly $32,000-$48,000 pricing structure? When will it hit the market?

We’ll learn more about these and other questions as Nissan prepares the next-generation production Z, perhaps by the end of 2021 as a 2022 model.

Source

DRAG IMPREZA STI: PANIC AT THE DEEP STAGE

It took a while for Wayne Durose’s drag Impreza STI to come together, thanks to a variety of inexpert tuners messing it about. But with the expertise of Scoobyclinic coming to the rescue, the Subaru named ‘PANIC!!’ is ready to cause sweaty palms around the paddock…

In Greek mythology, Pan was the god of the wild; a humanoid entity with the legs and horns of a goat, a huge sex drive and a penchant for making occasional loud noises. It’s from his name that we derive the word ‘panic’ – the story goes that Pan was, in general, a pretty chilled out and relaxed sort of character, who would amble through the woodlands playing a pipe and being at one with nature… but when he awakened from his midday nap, he’d wake with such a start that he’d yell out incredibly loudly and cause all the local flocks to stampede.

Drag Impreza STIDrag Impreza STI

It seems rather appropriate that this raucous drag Impreza STI should be wearing its nickname, PANIC!!, so boldly and broadly. Sure, it’s relatively calm when it’s at a standstill, as any car is, but when Wayne Durose fires up that mighty drag-spec motor, all hell immediately breaks loose and the local fauna scarpers for the hills. It’s a potent and virile machine, packing huge swells of power and clear animalistic tendencies, and the manner in which it’s been engineered to trebuchet itself from point A to the hazy point B a quarter-mile away is liable to startle the livestock and make all sorts of unexpected loud noises.

Now, it’s in the bones of a drag build to meet the odd hurdle and stumbling block along the way, because the very essence of piecing together such a machine inherently urges those in question to push the boundaries of what’s possible; if it was easy then everybody would do it. However, in the pursuit of these high-octane thrills, Wayne encountered perhaps more setbacks than most. Kev Knight at Scoobyclinic picks up the story: “Wayne brought the car to us after three years of being messed around by a so-called ‘specialist’; they couldn’t get the car running so they farmed it out to another so-called ‘specialist’, and they in turn passed it on to somebody else, until ultimately Wayne brought it here for us to undo everything that had been done and start again.”

Drag Impreza STIDrag Impreza STI

Let’s just take a moment to consider the nature of Scoobyclinic, and why they’re such a wise choice to entrust a build like this. The company was set up thirty years ago, way back in 1989, to restore and tune cars, and in 1993 the decision was made to focus on the Subaru brand. Since then their prowess has grown in line with their expertise, and the Scoobyclinic name has been involved in more feature cars and motorsport builds than we can count; Time Attack, rallycross, ice racing – you name it, they’ve had a hand in it. “We love the Gymkhana Grid and Fueltopia Challenge, winning year-on-year and competing with the big boys like Ken Block and Petter Solberg,” says Kev. “And of course there’s the dragstrip work; our own drag car held the record as the fastest four-cylinder manual Subaru in the world, and we aim to get that record back.” Fair to say these guys know their onions when it comes to the Stars of Pleiades then, and Wayne was definitely on to a winner when he trailered in his non-functioning drag project with a pleading look in his eyes.

Drag Impreza STIDrag Impreza STI

“The car was in pretty poor condition when it arrived with us,” Kev continues. “There was damage to the offside front wing, countless scuffs and scratches, and most importantly it wasn’t running! After those various other garages had been messing with it, it was nowhere near ready to run – we had to start again from the beginning. The first job was to remove the turbo and pour half a litre of water out of it! Once that was removed – which wasn’t hard to do as it was only held on with two out of the four bolts – it was clear to see that it was butt up against a plastic sensor on the sequential gearbox; if it had been fired up it would have melted the sensor immediately, so a decision was made to relocate the turbo.” This required a certain amount of ingenuity, but creative engineering solutions are very much Scoobyclinic’s modus operandi. You’ll also have spotted reference to the unusual transmission there; the fact of the matter is that, despite those previous garages’ ham-fisted attempts to get the car running, the spec Wayne had cherry-picked for drag duties is formidable. The gearbox is a Modena six-speed close-ratio sequential affair, while the engine itself is an EJ22 that’s been stroked out to 2.35-litres. It’s fully forged with a closed deck block, and Kev and the team have crafted a custom CNC-machined fuel manifold with 8-injector setup and twin fuel pressure regulators and sensors. Managed by a smart Syvecs S6+ ECU, the current power figure is a meaty 730bhp – although this is conservative, and there’s plenty more to come.

Drag Impreza STIDrag Impreza STI

Indeed, the drag Impreza STI specs are a work in progress which should prove thoroughly interesting to watch unfurling over the coming months. The chassis sports a variety of tasty upgrades, including some substantial bracing and a bunch of adjustable goodies from Hardrace, but a simple coilover setup is in situ for now while the car’s testing; there’s a possibility of Yellowspeed (via Tegiwa) throwing their hat in the sponsorship ring with some drag-spec coilovers, although this will all be addressed following shakedowns and electronic setup at Santa Pod. The car’s at the stage whereby everything’s being very carefully monitored and subtly tweaked and uprated with scientific efficiency; it’s almost funny to think of a car running 730bhp to be in its base state of tune, but that just speaks volumes of what a monster this blobeye Scoob is finally becoming. “The Syvecs ECU running the engine and sequential gearbox has all sorts of sensors streaming in,” says Kev. “Oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, air temp, fuel pressure – all programmed to set RPM trips in the event of any sensor going out of our pre-set parameters.” It’s a machine of pure focus, and that’s particularly evident in the interior.

Drag Impreza STIDrag Impreza STI

Open the passenger door and peer through, and you’re confronted by a scene similar to the one in Family Guy when Stewie and Brian transport themselves outside of the space-time continuum (or the ‘White Christmas’ episode of Black Mirror) – essentially, a clinical and featureless white void with just one sole focus point: in this case, a lipstick-red Cobra bucket seat. Scan slightly to the left and you spot the towering sequential shifter; to the right, and you see an incongruous splash of colour in the form of a swathe of zombie-themed stickerbombing – a theme which continues to the exterior in assorted details along with the custom paintwork. Focused it may be, but this build is also a riot of detail.

Drag Impreza STIDrag Impreza STI

“The car already has a huge following,” Kev grins. “Wayne plans to drag-race it at every possible opportunity, hence the test-and-tune day at Santa Pod where we did one of the two photoshoots – so we can get the car ready to compete as soon as possible. If we don’t break it!”

There’s a lot of testing to be done to get the car perfect, and Wayne will need plenty of seat time in order to learn its ways and be able to exploit it to the full – but after three years of being messed about by inferior tuners, Wayne doesn’t mind the extra lead times at all. Scoobyclinic will get this done right, and then we’ll be seeing PANIC!! dominating dragstrips up and down the country. It may not have a soothingly melodious pipe or the horns of a goat, but this drag Impreza STI is very much living out the idiosyncrasies of its mythological Greek namesake: one unexpected burst of noise, and everybody scatters. By the time they regroup, they’ll almost certainly find that Wayne’s posting some world-class quarter-mile times. We just can’t wait to see what he does.

Tech Spec: Drag Impreza STI

Engine:

EJ22 2.2-litre boxer – stroked to 2.35-litres, fully forged, closed deck block, custom fuel manifold with 8-injector setup, twin FPRs and sensors, relocated Garrett T04 turbo, Syvecs S6+ ECU, custom fuel setup in boot, Modena six-speed close-ratio sequential transmission

Chassis:

15-inch drag wheels, 26/9 Hoosier drag slicks, stock Subaru 4-pot brakes and basic coilover setup for testing, chassis bracing, Hardrace adjustable arms

Interior:

Fully stripped, Cobra bucket seat and harness, weld-in rollcage, custom control panel, Toucan touch-screen display

Exterior:

Custom green, carbon bonnet intake, carbon foglight blanks with turbo intake, carbon mirrors, custom headlight/taillight graphics, de-spoilered rear, hydro-dipped stickerbombing and custom PANIC!! Graphics

Feature taken from Banzai magazine. Words: Joe Partridge. Photos: Chris Presley & Adam Rous

Source

TUNED 1000BHP MK2 FOCUS RS: THE ONLY WAY IS UP

Relentlessly pushing things forwards with his tuned 1000bhp Mk2 Focus RS for the entire time he’s owned it, Steve Johns is now left with a 1000+bhp hyper-hatch that’s single-handedly re-writing the rulebook…

Remember when the Mk1 Focus RS came out back in 2002? Remember how its combination of 212bhp and front-wheel drive was enough for many who reviewed it to confidently state this was the sheer limit of what this kind of car could physically take, introducing a whole new generation to the phrase ‘torque steer’ in the process?

If only they could’ve seen just how times would move on in the seventeen-odd years that would follow, with the introduction of the 300bhp Mk2 RS shortly after that promptly paved the way for some of the most monstrous FWD builds the world has ever seen, each pushing the envelope even further than the last.

And all of this escalation arguably culminates right now with this rather unassuming pearl white Focus here that’s normally found tucked away in its garage in South Wales. Owned by Steve Johns for the past eight-or-so years, it’s gone on one hell of a journey in the time he’s been fettling with it to now officially stand as one of the most powerful Mk2 RSs to grace this entire country, if not the planet…

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

Those with a particular loyalty to the Ford scene might actually already recognise Steve’s mighty machine, as it was featured in our sister mag Fast Ford, about five years ago. If so, you’ll remember the story of how the Focus was snapped up back in 2011 as Steve was itching to get back into the performance car game following the recent sale of his beloved Subaru Impreza and Renault Clio V6.

With the seal of approval from various pals who all loved the Mk2’s crazy styling even in factory trim, the hot hatch soon took pride of place on the driveway over the other cars that made an appearance on the shortlist such as a BMW M3.

Steve initially promised himself the RS would remain in a nigh-on standard spec as it flawlessly performed its daily duties, but, as so many of us will be able to relate to, things didn’t stay that way for long; the car ultimately ending up in a seriously impressive, 460bhp state of tune (with plenty of interior and exterior styling goodies to match) by the time it last graced the pages of a publication.

But if it’s already had a feature before, why are we putting Steve’s Focus back under the microscope? Well, as it turns out, that initial 460bhp tune really was only the tip of the Frozen White iceberg; the story only getting more and more bonkers as time went on, as Steve best explains. “The car was running around 580bhp soon after its last feature, thanks to an even bigger turbo and some better fuelling bits making an appearance,” he recalls. “I still wasn’t happy though and was looking for someone to take things to the next level when I was recommended to chat to Lee at Devil Developments…”

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

Known for his world-class knowledge of eking every last drop of safe performance from this boosted five-pot engine, especially when it involves bespoke Syvecs ECU maps, Lee seemed certain that he could help upon his first chat with Steve, prompting the first of many visits to this West Sussex workshop.

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

This pattern continued as over time, Steve’s Focus became something of a flagship demonstration vehicle for just what Devil Developments could do, to the extent that the car was tuned to ensure it was the most powerful of its kind to attend the Ford Fair show for three years on the trot. Soon boasting a 6466-sized Precision blower that meant 849bhp was rippling through its muscular skin, Steve could be found once again leaving Lee’s premises with his mind already swimming with thoughts on whether it was possible to boldly crack the 1000bhp figure where so few had gone before him…

Before this wild idea materialised into anything solid, however, Steve’s life was tragically flipped on its head as his business partner and best mate became seriously ill, with Steve’s time suddenly drawn between juggling the entire business alone and providing a support network to his best friend at such a devastating time.

“He unfortunately passed away not long after, which kind of spurred me on to get my hands stuck in with my car once more,” Steve emotionally explains. “Hitting 1000bhp is what he would’ve wanted.” With that in mind, it brings us to the start of 2018, with Lee and the Devil Developments team looking towards that year’s Ford Fair and giving Steve’s block and head a full tear-down and re-build in anticipation of what was to come next.

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

With oversized Wiseco pistons and con rods making an appearance, as well as a new factory crankshaft (which seems to take remarkably well to big-power applications as long as you’re not too brutal in your driving style) and a fully ported and flowed big-valve head, the five-banger now has a frankly massive Precision PT6870 turbo tucked away behind it on a Nortec tubular manifold, with Devil’s bespoke twin Nissan GT-R fuel pump upgrade and whopping 2000cc injectors also featuring.

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

With the gearbox also re-built and housing a much sturdier clutch, Lee soon got down to business mapping that Syvecs ECU to perform its very best when potent E80 race fuel was added into the equation. And the end result of all this hard work? 1036bhp and 788.2lb/ft of torque at 2.6bar of boost – figures that would seem absurdly impressive from any car, especially a FWD Focus!

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

Despite the fact it’s also wearing huge K-Sport stoppers, a raft of suspension upgrades and the stickiest of rubber to help matters, we know exactly what you’re thinking: how on earth do the front wheels cope with 1000bhp? “A lot of people wonder what the point of it all is, but the traction control on the Syvecs system is so clever and limits the torque in the lower gears, meaning it’s actually a lot easier to drive than you might imagine,” a proud Steve explains. “It’s crazy fast and makes insane noises from that screamer pipe too… it’s absolutely nuts!”

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

What makes the whole story that little bit more impressive is the way that Steve has unconventionally resisted the temptation to go for the functional stripped-‘n’-caged look that so many other big-power cars run these days, instead keeping that comfortable, plush and usable vibe that he started out with in the early days of ownership. As a result, it’s a machine he uses a whole lot more than you might think, and you certainly can’t argue with that, can you?

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

By keeping a level head and ensuring the usability and drivability aspects were never put in jeopardy, Steve’s story is the perfect illustration of how chasing huge power figures can indeed be done properly and enjoyably. We’d just love to see the faces of those who thought 200bhp was too much for the front wheels when they saw this brute.

tuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modifiedtuned mk2 ford focus white 1000bhp modified

TECH SPEC: TUNED 1000BHP MK2 FOCUS RS

ENGINE
2521cc 20v turbocharged 5-cylinder Duratec RS engine, Devil Developments fully forged and rebuilt block (featuring 9.1:1 Wiseco oversized pistons and con rods with factory crankshaft), Devil Developments ported and flowed big-valve head (featuring enlarged valves and stage 3 camshafts), Precision PT6870 Gen II ball-bearing turbocharger, Nortec tubular turbo manifold, custom screamer pipe, custom Anembo inlet manifold, custom 80mm throttle body, custom enlarged alloy boost pipe kit, Airtec intercooler, WRC oil breather, Airtec oil cooler and radiator, custom 4in exhaust system with twin 4.5in tailpipes, 2000cc fuel injectors, custom Devil Developments twin Nissan GT-R in-tank fuel pump conversion, uprated fuel lines, 90mm Syvecs crossover pipe, Cosworth Group A filter, Spec-R water tank and power steering rack, full black silicone hose kit, Syvecs ECU conversion with bespoke Devil Developments mapping (running E80 fuelling)

POWER
1036bhp and 788.2b/ft of torque @ 2.6bar of boost

TRANSMISSION
Devil Developments fully re-built factory six-speed manual gearbox with LSD, Xtreme twin carbon rigid blade clutch, Elevate torque link

SUSPENSION
BC Racing coilovers with custom springs, Whiteline anti-roll bars, JWR front strut brace, Powerflex bushes

BRAKES
K-Sport 8-pot calipers and 356mm discs (front), K-Sport 4-pot calipers and 330mm discs (rear), EBC Ultimax pads

WHEELS & TYRES
9.5x19in (front) and 10.5x19in (rear) MMR GF7 alloy wheels with custom diamond-cut spokes, 235/35×19 (front) and 265/30×19 (rear) Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres

EXTERIOR
Full custom pearl white re-spray with gloss black roof, rolled wheel arches, Maxton Designs front, side and rear splitters, rear spoiler splitter, custom Monkey Wrench headlights and fog lights, Pro LED rear lights, de-badged and relocated bonnet pull, gloss black plastics and vents, FA57 FRS (‘FAST FRS’) number plate

INTERIOR
Custom black-and-white leather interior, re-trimmed diamond-stitched heated front seats with carbon-dipped backs and side covers, custom rear centre drinks holder, armrest with stitched ‘RS’ logo and build number, custom floor mats, blue LED light kit, MOMO snap-off steering wheel, carbon fibre kick plates,

Audio
ICE install comprising of full sound deadening and Huets custom boot build, Kenwood touchscreen headunit, Audison Voce 5.1k amplifier, Audison Voce AV due amplifier, twin Audison Voce AV10 sub woofers, Audison Voce AV 6in speakers, Audison Voce AV 6.5in speakers, Pro Series 3600-watt amplifier wiring

Thanks
“Lee at Devil Developments, Dayne at Touch of Class, Andrew at AWL Body Repair, Alan at Auto Specialists – www.autospecialists.co.uk, and Jason at JW Racing”

Words Sam Preston Photography AS Design. Don’t forget to subscribe to Fast Car magazine! 

Source