Nissan just showed off a stunning design prototype for the future of its most iconic sports car

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Side — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

The aged Nissan 370Z sports car's replacement will be the production version of the Z Proto prototype, unveiled on Tuesday.
The prototype has a twin-turbocharged V6 and a manual transmission.
Nissan didn't release any other specifications about it at this time, but the prototype itself looks great.
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At long last, Nissan has given us a look at the next car in its beloved and iconic Z lineup. This is the new Nissan Z Proto — for now, a prototype of what will replace the aging (but brilliant) 370Z.

Unveiled on Tuesday evening from Yokohama, Japan, the Z prototype wears a shade of pearlescent yellow paint and, to the relief of enthusiasts and Z fans everywhere, maintains the classical, sloped fastback Z design.

Nissan's Z cars have always represented driver-focused sportiness, but the current Z car, the 370Z, came onto the market in 2009 and has been long criticized for its age. Still, throughout its lifetime, the car has always offered enthusiasts a rewarding driving experience.

The new Z has big shoes to fill, since the car-enthusiast niche is famously a picky and nostalgia-filled one. Nissan was mum on many of the Z Proto's stats but did mention that it has a manual transmission mated to a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

Read on to see more of the Nissan Z Proto.

On Tuesday evening, Nissan unveiled the Nissan Proto Z — a prototype of what we can expect as the next Z sports car.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Front_Three quarter_3 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

The eventual production version of the Z Proto will replace the aged Nissan 370Z.

2019 Nissan 370Z Heritage Edition 22 source — 2019 Nissan 370Z Heritage Edition.
Nissan

The Z Proto represents the next chapter in the Nissan Z story, which began with the Datsun 240Z in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_with Heritage car — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

The prototype wears a pearlescent coat of yellow paint as a tribute to a popular paint available with the first-generation 240Z and 300ZX.

Nissan_Z_Proto_dynamic_exterior_9 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

Nissan also says the rear of the prototype is inspired by 300ZX tail lights.

Nissan_Z_Proto_dynamic_exterior_5 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
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From the front, it looks similar to the 350Z from the 2000s.

Nissan_Z_Proto_dynamic_exterior_7 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

Like this guy right here.

06_350Z_4 source — 2007 Nissan 350Z.
Nissan

Here's a closer look at the front grille.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Front_grill — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

There will be a powerful, twin-turbocharged V6 beneath the new Z's long hood.

Nissan_Z_Proto_dynamic_exterior_11 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
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Since each generation of Z is more powerful than the last, it'll probably have at least 332 horsepower, since that's what the 370Z makes.

Nissan_Z_Proto_dynamic_exterior_13 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

There will also be a manual (!) transmission (!!).

Nissan_Z_Proto_Interior_over view 03 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

Nissan did not announce stats or performance figures, however.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Rear_Three quarter — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

Nissan does currently make a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 in the form of the GT-R's VR38DETT engine. It would be interesting if the new Z used a version of that engine, though nothing has been confirmed.

When viewed in profile, the similarities to the rest of the Z cars are most striking.

The Z Proto keeps the classically sloped fastback design and long hood silhouette.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Side_３ — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

It wears the Z badge along its B-pillar.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Badge — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
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The hood shape is inspired directly from the original 240Z.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Front_2 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
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As are the teardrop-shaped LED headlights.

Nissan_Z_Proto_Exterior_Front_Lamp — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

The prototype wears 19-inch alloy wheels.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Front_Three quarter_4 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

There are also carbon-fiber trims on the side skirts, front lower lip, and rear valance.

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Side_2 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
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The prototype is 172.5 inches long (14.4 feet), 72.8 inches wide (6 feet), and 51.6 inches tall (4.3 feet).

Nissan_Z_Proto_exterior_Front_Three quarter_2 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

Judging from those dimensions, it sounds low-slung and wide, as a sports car should be.

Nissan_Z_Proto_dynamic_exterior_12 — Nissan Z Proto prototype.
Nissan

The Fairlady badge is a nod to the name Nissan gave to a sports car it exported to the US in the early '60s — named after the Broadway musical "My Fair Lady."