Tuning culture, especially in the JDM scene, was a big deal back in the ’90s, and then things really exploded after 2001’s The Fast And The Furious brought it into the mainstream. However, as SUVs started to dominate and regular cars became more and more powerful, especially as electrification kicked in, the idea of tuning your own car largely dropped out of favor. We have Toyota RAV4s coming from the factory with over 300 horsepower, remember.
Nissan hasn’t forgotten the era, however, and has served up a stunning reminder at the annual ZCON gathering for Nissan Z enthusiasts hosted by the Z Car Club Association, currently underway in Phoenix, Arizona. There’s just one feature missing that could turn this retro revival into a piece of perfection.
Meet The Nissan Z Kaze Concept
Nissan Z Kaze ConceptNissan
Nissan’s new Z Kaze Concept, unveiled today at ZCON, is based on the latest 2027 Z and draws inspiration from some of Nissan’s most iconic sports cars of the past. A key example is the T-top roof, an option first introduced on the 280ZX in the early 1980s and then becoming almost a standard feature on the two generations of 300ZX that followed. Pop the roof panels on the Z Kaze Concept and you can enjoy the feel of air rushing through your hair. Kaze, after all, is the Japanese word for “wind.”
The trip down nostalgia lane doesn’t end there, though. Another key example is the 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 wheels. While the once-popular forged, multi-piece wheels have long been out of production, the designers sourced an original set and had them restored for the concept. They measure a chunky 10 inches wide at the front and 11 at the rear, helping give the car its stance. The body kit, all made from carbon fiber, helps too.
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The changes inside are a lot more subtle, though there are some notable tweaks. Nissan had to make several changes to accommodate the T-top roof, including reinforcing the roof structure and modifying the interior trim around the removable panels. Carbon-fiber accents also add to the performance theme, while Bose headrest speakers, a modern touch, ensure occupants can still enjoy their music with the roof panels removed.
But What’s Under The Hood?
Nissan Z Kaze ConceptNissan
Anyone with even a basic knowledge of the JDM tuning scene will recognize the giant “GReddy” graphic running down the sides of the Z Kaze Concept. GReddy is the performance brand of Japanese company Trust, which is primarily recognized for its powertrain upgrades, particularly when it comes to turbocharged powertrains. This means you can bet there are some spicy upgrades under the hood of Nissan’s concept.
Unfortunately, Nissan hasn’t gone into detail, but it has mentioned items like GReddy’s Supreme SP exhaust system, Airinx air filter, and custom air-to-air intercooler. These should help boost output from the Z’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 beyond the stock 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. To ensure it handles well, Nissan also fitted the concept with suspension upgrades from its own Nismo catalog.
Nissan Z Kaze ConceptNissan
And the downside? Nissan chose an automatic-equipped Z as the donor. It’s a bit of a contrast with the performance aspect of the concept, though the seven-speed unit is certainly no slushbox. Still, we’d love to shift gears with a nice three-pedal manual setup in this cool sports car.
CarBuzz Insights – Why This Matters
Nissan Z Kaze ConceptNissan
The Z Kaze Concept shows just how much appeal there still is for the old-school JDM tuning formula, especially when it combines classic touches like a T-top with modern performance. Unfortunately, there’s one big problem: Nissan has given no indication that it plans to bring a T-top back to the Z lineup, or even revive the Z convertible. For now, that leaves the former 370Z convertible as an interesting alternative. It’s a great used buy and provides a solid base for anyone who wants to build something similar to this stunning concept.
The Nissan Z Kaze Concept will be on display at ZCON through September 26. It’s also scheduled to make a showing at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California, on October 3.
