While not necessarily entering its golden age yet, Japanese automobiles were really picking up speed by the late ‘60s. Nissan, a fairly new company, had its own ideas of offering an affordable, stylish, and fast GT-style vehicle to build off the success of its popular Fairlady roadsters. The result was the Z series, starting with the Fairlady Z debuting in 1969 for the 1970 model year — known as the S30 internally and the Datsun 240Z in America. This week, the Japanese marque unveiled the new 2024 Z Heritage Edition in celebration of the Z’s 55th anniversary.
A Long-Awaited Split Grill
Last year, Nissan debuted the split grill design on the Proto concept before being offered as an option to the Japanese market for the Fairlady Z Customized Edition. Meanwhile, onlookers Stateside drooled at the idea of the design potentially made available over here. Well, the company has listened to desperate pleas (and polite feedback) with the retro-style split grill now making its way to the U.S. via this Z Heritage Edition — a preferred option over the divisive standard wide grill.
Cosmetically, the 55th-anniversary model also has some retro touches such as its “New Sight Orange” exterior color, which nods to the Datsun 240Z. The orange paint is complemented by black side stripes, black hood and roof decals, and black 19-inch wheels. You’ll also notice the Heritage Edition badging and fender flares on the outside. As far as we know, the interior is the same as the standard Z models.
What’s Under the Hood?
If you’re familiar with the 2024 Nissan Z, you won’t be surprised by any of the specs on the Heritage Edition. As such, we get either 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission for a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine borrowed from the Z Performance trim level. This boasts 400hp and 350lb.ft of torque to go along with Nissan Performance brakes with red calipers and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Spec Sheet
Model: Z Heritage Edition
Model Year: 2024
Engine: Twin-turbo 3.0L V6
Transmission: 9-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
Power: 400hp
Torque: 350lb.ft
Limited Edition? Yes
Pricing & Availability
At just over six grand more than your standard Z Performance models, the 2024 Z Heritage Edition starts at $59,135 when it goes on sale this summer and will get an unspecified limited-edition run. Head over to Nissan’s website to learn more.
Recap
2024 Nissan Z Heritage Edition 55th Anniversary
Nissan celebrates the 55th anniversary of the Z car with an orange paint that’s reminiscent of the original Datsun 240Z from 1969, plus a long-awaited split grill design.
