I have a long list of cars I remember fondly and very near the top of this list is a 1980s sunshine yellow Datsun Stanza SSS. Back then, Datsun was what Honda was in the 1990s and Mazda is today, constantly setting higher standards for engines, handling and design.
Datsun started this trend with the 240Z sports car in 1971, a fastback that made even diehard Ford Capri fans envious. Since then, Datsun became Nissan, and “Godzilla” — the Nissan GT-R for the uninitiated — is now the standard other marques try to catch on races like the upcoming Simola hill climb.
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| The1971 Datsun 240Z. |
That was over 12 years ago and the 370Z that followed did not impress the petrolheads much. The same jury is still out on the new Z that was launched virtually from New York on Tuesday, 17 Aug.
It is painted in the Sunshine Yellow that Datsun loved in the 1980s, and is based on the 370Z’s platform with updated suspension and “GT-R inspired” seats.
On paper, it certainly looks like the new Z is still an old-school road muncher that burns fossil fuel in the most fun way possible. Under the hood, a twin-turbo petrol 3,0-litre V6 makes 298 kW and 475 Nm. This power goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or a new nine-speed automatic transmission.
In price, if not power, the new Z will compete with Subaru and Toyota’s 86, while in the U.S., it costs the same as the made-in-KZN Backdraft Roadsters at some R600 000.
Introduction of the Z to South Africa is yet to be confirmed, but dealers are very hopeful.
