Video: Our first glance at the Nissan 370Z’s replacement

The new coupe, likely to be badged 400Z, will replace the current 370Z – at 12 years old, the oldest model in Nissan’s global line-up. It is likely to go on sale inside 18 months as part of a ‘Nissan Next’ product revamp, details of which were teased at a presentation in Japan. It was here that bosses explained how the Japanese giant is going to survive a financial meltdown – the same presentation that confirmed Nissan’s Sunderland plant is safe from the axe.

All we have to go on is a shadowy profile of the new car in the teaser video along with long-standing assertions from Nissan executives that the Z car represents the heart and soul of the company. Nissan has not yet confirmed launch or tech details, but the expectation is the 400Z will stay true to the raw driving appeal for which Z cars (with some exceptions) have always stood.

Coming from a company increasingly plugged into an electric world, it is welcome news for fans of the Z car around the world, in the US especially, where the car has enjoyed iconic status since the first Datsun 240Z arrived in 1969. The new version will join the latest Toyota Supra in a revitalized Japanese sports market, and put pressure on compatriots Mazda and Honda to reprise their affordable sports car offerings, the RX-7 and S2000 respectively.

The 400Z is expected to pick up styling cues from previous generations of Z car including the first. The video shows a rakish coupe with a shark-like nose, fast-dropping roofline, powerfully bulging rear wheelarches and abbreviated tail with hardly any rear overhang. In short it looks to be the front-engine, rear-drive muscular coupe Z fans demand, a logical follow-up to the now dated (but still fun) 370Z and encompassing all the new technologies, from LED lighting and digital dashboard to the latest connectivity and driver-assist features.

Power unit? That’s likely stay true to Z form and be a six, with speculation centring on a twin turbo 3.0-litre V6. To beat the outgoing 370Z, with its normally aspirated 3.7-litre V6, it will need more than 328PS (324bhp) and a quicker 0-62mph time than 5.3 seconds. If it achieves all that and still stays affordable – remarkably, you can still buy a new 370Z for under £30,000 – it will surely be job done.

The new Z car has to be far more than a Japanese special (where it is called the Fairlady Z) or US-only model, but all previous gens of the Z car have been sold in Europe so there’s nothing to suggest the 400Z will not reach UK showrooms.

Which is your favourite Z car? (No, it can’t be the 370Zki…)

1969 Datsun 240Z – Japan’s first affordable sports coupe was an instant hit and is now a classic; later 260Z had bigger engine and option of 2+2 seats

1978 Datsun 280ZX – Still an in-line six, now 2.8-litres, and manual ‘box but a larger, more luxury-orientated car. Introduced turbo power and targa top

1984 Nissan 300ZX – New V6 power, and lots of it, but pandering to the US market it grew in size and was far more GT than sports car

1990 300ZX – A completely redesigned, much-acclaimed new Z with V6 engine, now with twin overhead cams, twin turbos and a mighty 300 horsepower. First convertible Z car available

2002 350Z – Comeback model under new boss Carlos Ghosn redefined Z’s compact dimensions and driving fun with fast Nismo version and convertible as credible cut-price Porsche Boxster rival

2009 370Z – The fastest-ever Z overflowing with muscular appeal in the styling and driving experience that’s old-school – but definitely involving