Nissan Z generations: every US Z car from the 1970 Datsun 240Z to the current Z

Nissan Z generations: 240Z to today's Z history

The Z began as the Fairlady Z in Japan in late 1969 and came to North America as the Datsun 240Z, a 1970 model that debuted at the 1969 New York Auto Show. It paired a 150-hp 2.4-liter inline six with four-wheel independent suspension and a closed coupe body, and cost $3,626. Nissan credits Yutaka Katayama, then president of its US operations, with the 240Z's North American success.

The car grew to 2.6 liters as the 260Z in 1974 and to 2.8 liters as the 280Z in 1975. The second-generation 280ZX followed as a 1979 model, and the 300ZX switched to a V6 for 1984. A fully redesigned 300ZX arrived for 1990, and EPA listings for it end with the 1996 model year.

After a gap, the Z returned in summer 2002 as the 2003 350Z, then became the 370Z for 2009. The seventh-generation car, sold simply as the Z, launched for 2023 with a 400-hp twin-turbo V6; a 420-hp NISMO joined for 2024, and for 2027 the NISMO offers a six-speed manual.[1],[2],[3],[5],[6],[9],[10],[11],[12]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The North American 240Z used the L24 2.4-liter inline six, rated at 150 hp by Nissan, while the Japanese Z432 used the S20 twin-cam six shared with the Skyline GT-R.
• The 280ZX carried over the 2.8-liter L28E six and was the first Z with electronic multi-port fuel injection.
• The Z31 300ZX replaced the inline six with the VG30 V6; Nissan calls its VG30ET Japan's first mass-produced turbocharged V6.
• The 350Z launched with the VQ35DE 3.5-liter V6. For 2007 it switched to the VQ35HR, with about 80% of major parts redesigned, a 7,500-rpm rev limit and 306 hp.
• The current Z uses the VR30DDTT 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6: 400 hp and 350 lb-ft, 68 hp more than the 370Z, with a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic.

Sources:[2],[4],[5],[14],[15]

What changed over the years

1. 1969Datsun 240Z debuts at the New York Auto Show and arrives in North America on October 22, 1969, as a 1970 model.
2. 1974260Z: 2.6-liter engine and the first Z 2+2.
3. 1975280Z: displacement grows to 2.8 liters.
4. 1979 model yearSecond-generation 280ZX, with fuel injection; T-tops and a turbo follow in the early 1980s.
5. 1984300ZX (Z31) brings a 3.0-liter V6; Nissan says the Z was America's best-selling sports car that year.
6. 1990 model yearFourth-generation 300ZX (Z32), with 222 hp or 300 hp in Turbo form.
7. 1997–2002No Z in the US; EPA's 300ZX listings end with 1996.
8. Summer 20022003 350Z returns the Z at under $30,000.
9. 2007350Z switches to the 306-hp VQ35HR.
10. 2009 model year370Z replaces the 350Z with a 3.7-liter V6.
11. 2023 model yearSeventh-generation Z, from $40,990, with 400 hp.
12. 2024Z NISMO joins with 420 hp, from $64,990.
13. 2026Heritage Edition with visual cues from the Z32 300ZX.
14. 2027Z NISMO adds a six-speed manual and GT-R-derived two-piece rotors; Z Sport starts at $44,480.

Sources:[1],[3],[9],[11],[12],[13],[14],[15],[19],[20],[21]

What to check before you buy one

• Confirm the generation and model year from the title and VIN; 350Z and 370Z both have 2009 model-year cars, and the 2009 350Z was the Roadster only.
• On a 2003–2006 350Z versus a 2007–2009 car, check the engine: the later VQ35HR made 306 hp.
• For a current Z, confirm whether it is a Sport, Performance or NISMO and which transmission it has; the NISMO was automatic-only until 2027.
• For 1970s and early-1980s Datsun Z cars, the chassis number is shorter than a modern VIN, so verify it against the title and look for rust and service records.
• Check open recalls for the exact VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup before buying.

Model-specific problems by generation are tracked on our Nissan Z known issues page. Engine guides: 3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35DE), 3.5L VQ V6 (VQ35HR), 3.0L twin-turbo V6 (VR30DDTT).

How to verify a Nissan Z generations: 240Z to today's Z's factory options

A Nissan's model, engine, transmission and drivetrain are fixed at the factory. CarWhere decodes the 17-character VIN and, where licensed factory build data exists, lists the equipment the car was built with. It does not promise a complete option list for every VIN.

The earliest 240Z, 260Z, 280Z and 280ZX cars predate the 17-character VIN standard in 49 CFR Part 565, so their chassis numbers are shorter and won't decode like a modern VIN.[22]

For pre-1981 examples, the data plate and engine stampings carry the original factory codes; a VIN-based build lookup does not apply to them.