nissan 400z

The Nissan Z Proto concept, unveiled this week in Japan, provides a surprisingly production-ready look at what Nissan has in store for the next chapter in the Z story. While the visuals are all but locked in, details on the engine and performance potential were kept more closely guarded. So far Nissan has confirmed that a twin-turbo V6 and six-speed manual will be housed within a rear-wheel-drive chassis, but not much more.

For enthusiasts, there’s no greater news than that of a new-generation sports car. The Nissan 370Z has stayed the course for 11 years, having first launched in 2009, but now a new Z waits in the wings, with some pretty strong clues coming in the form of the production-ready Z Proto concept.

A single stylised wireframe rendering has given fans their first look at the rear end of the coming Nissan 400Z – or at least the Z Proto concept, which we now know will be revealed on September 15. Posted to the Instagram profile of Nissan global design chief Alfonso Albaisa, the rendering offers clear evidence that the new Z coupe's rump will be inspired by the Z32 300ZX, introduced in 1989.