It’s a good time for Japanese sports car fans with the arrival of the 2022 Toyota GR 86, the upcoming new Subaru WRX and what we have here – the 2023 Nissan Z.

2023 Nissan Z

Nissan previewed the new Z with the Z Proto concept and the good news is that the production version is nearly identical. It’s based on a modified version of the current FM platform and it even has the same 100.4-inch wheelbase as its predecessor, the 370Z.

The new Z, which yes will now only go by “Z” is powered by the same VR30DDTT V6 engine as the Infiniti Red Sport 400. It generates 400 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 350 pound-feet of torque from 1,600 – 5,200 rpm. The V6 can be mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a new nine-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

There aren’t any standalone options with the new Z. The base model is the Z Sport, which will start at $40,000. It comes standard with a 12.3-inch TFT instrument display, cloth seats, 18-inch wheels and a list of driver assistance tech features.

2023 Nissan Z

The Z Performance model adds heated leather seats, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a stiffer suspension, better brakes and a limited-slip differential. It also gets four-piston calipers and 14.0-inch rotors at the front and two-piston calipers and 13.8-inch rotors at the rear. The Performance version also gets 19-inch forged Rays wheels, front and rear spoilers and dual exhaust.

The Proto Spec sits at the top of the lineup. It comes in yellow paint with a black roof, bronze-colored wheels and yellow brake calipers. Inside the black seats have yellow stitching. Nissan only plans to build 240 Proto Spec models, which means that it’s basically a launch edition.

The 2023 Nissan Z will arrive next spring.