Isn’t it good once we get a brand new platform to play with? It doesn’t occur that always, particularly relating to Japanese automakers, so when a brand new mannequin enters the sports activities automotive fray it’s one thing to be celebrated.
The brand new Nissan Fairlady/400Z is a welcome arrival, even when it’s been a troublesome automotive for patrons to get their fingers on resulting from excessive demand and some delays. That stated, there have been loads of examples dotted round Tokyo Auto Salon 2023, most displaying off the primary components Japanese aftermarket producers have been busy creating for the eagerly awaited mannequin.
So name this a fast rundown of what I got here throughout on the present – minus the Nismo RZ34, which couldn’t have been made harder to shoot.
Let’s begin off with an surprising drag-spec Z. The Crewch construct sports activities drag wheels and radials, plus a pointy entrance spoiler and big drag wing, each hand fabricated in aluminum.
This blue Z at Countless was displaying off some purposeful upgrades – specifically a set of Zeal coilovers to decrease the automotive over its Enkei GTC02 wheels, and – most significantly – an entire Countless monoblock brake improve. Push the RZ34’s twin-turbo VR30DETT onerous and severe stoppers will positively be required.
One other Z on Enkeis that I actually favored was over at Blitz, and this automotive was showcasing a brake improve too.
One of many new Z’s greatest options for tuners and customizers is its capacity to swallow up large wheels. In actual fact, the inventory 19s look severely undersized hooked up to the automotive. You’ll see a pleasant number of aftermarket wheels on this publish, however I assumed I’d word simply how effectively a pronounced concave profile fits the RZ34. These 20-inch Enkei RS05RRs function the right instance, particularly on the rear.
On the identical sales space, Blitz had this second Z on show to indicate off their Damper ZZ-R suspension equipment…
And their first Nur-Spec exhaust system for the brand new automotive.
Most new Z house owners will most likely simply need to improve the inventory look of their automotive with just a few easy aesthetic additions, and I’m positive I wasn’t the one one to see what Varis is bringing to the celebration. They at all times handle to have baseline aero equipment on supply in lightning-fast velocity for brand new efficiency fashions, and the RZ34 isn’t any exception.
They’ve given the Nissan a pleasant injection of moist carbon with a easy entrance lip, facet skirt and rear bumper finisher triple combo. For these wanting extra, there’s additionally a lip spoiler, a carbon fiber hood and a canard set, to not point out the fender trim items, that are extra for serving to folks go the bi-annual shaken take a look at with aftermarket wheels than the rest.
Different firms like Remaining Konnexion have provide you with their very own take.
In fact, there are those that take physique conversions extra significantly in an effort to actually remodel the look of the bottom automotive. We took a peek on the VeilSide FFZ400 previous to TAS, however seeing it underneath the spotlights at Yokomaku-san’s sales space was fairly particular.
A minimum of in case you’re really trying on the automotive and never… toes?
Yokomaku-san deservingly took residence the coveted ‘Gown-Up Automotive’ class win, including to his lengthy record of Tokyo Auto Salon accolades over time.
Whereas with regards to true physique conversions, Miura-san of TRA Kyoto received in on the motion too together with his Pandem providing within the Belief sales space.
Belief additionally displayed their personal RZ34 growth automotive, which you’ll keep in mind I went to see the week after it was delivered.
The RZ34 Pandem conversion goes far past an overfender equipment; there’s additionally a vented entrance bumper with a high part that has been pinched and pulled outward giving the Z an virtually shark-like nostril.
The entrance and rear fenders have that flat-top part, which we now have seen used on different Pandem kits together with the one for the GR86. In case you’re questioning, sure, you do want to chop the inventory fenders to accommodate the large wheel and tire bundle that the equipment was designed round.
The exaggerated duckbill spoiler provides continuity and balances the rear look. As quickly as I noticed this equipment in its entirety, I couldn’t assist however assume that it will look excellent on a drift automotive.
Clearly I’m not the one one which thinks this. Goodride thought the identical and constructed this Pandem-kitted Z for the 2023 Method Drift Japan sequence which kicks off in April. The automotive was on show on the RAYS sales space, fitted with Gram Lights 57CR 2324 Restricted Version wheels, which you will get in any shade you want so long as its Mach Yellow.
Nonetheless at RAYS, one other Z was used to showcase the solid Volk Racing G025 in Shining Black Metallic with a diamond minimize rim edge.
It’s good to see the Volk catalog develop to accommodate various designs.
However I’m positive I’m not the one one eager to see the brand new Z dropped on a set of CE28Ns, or ZE40s maybe.
Then there’s the NE24, RAYS’ new efficiency/race wheel which we first noticed at Nismo Competition final month. The NE was designed with the identical philosophy because the CE and TE wheels, so we is likely to be seeing extra of those at soukokai occasions sooner or later.
Different Zs at TAS 2023 have been purely displaying off equipment, nevertheless it’s at all times good to see completely different wheel fitments.
I feel the BBS RI-Ds go well with the Z quite effectively. This one was within the Works Bell sales space.
I needed to embrace a few pictures of the Fairlady X, a pure idea automotive dreamed up by Nissan Technical School’s aspiring engineers.
I feel the concept right here was to take the identical method Ford took when designing the Mustang Mach-E, however making use of it to an outdated Nissan Murano. What do you consider the end result?
It’s at all times fascinating to see how the aftermarket world embraces a brand new platform. Japan is taking its tried and examined route of child steps, which can make it enjoyable to observe and see how the whole lot develops. With the expertise US tuners have with the VR30, they’re already miles forward relating to precise engine/mechanical components and tuning, however I’m positive Japan will get there quickly sufficient.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com
