Following years of rumors that Nissan's next Z model could be a crossover, the Japanese company has finally confirmed that the successor to the 370Z will also be a sports coupe. In a presentation outlining its future product strategy, Nissan showcased a new Z car that looks a lot like the outgoing 370Z. There's no official name for this car yet, but all rumors point toward the 400Z name.

The Nissan 400Z continues the design legacy of its predecessors

The Nissan 400Z will share underpinnings with existing Nissan models

Because the Japanese company is looking to cut costs under its new Nissan Next banner, the 400Z won't feature a unique platform. A likely candidate here is the Nissan FM platform that currently underpins the Infiniti Q50 sedan and the Q60 coupe. The 370Z rides on similar underpinnings, but Nissan will introduce major upgrades for the 400Z.

In terms of powertrain, the 400Z will probably also share the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 engine with the Infiniti Q60. This mill cranks out 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which is below the outgoing 370Z, but the Q60 Red Sport comes with a more powerful variant. The beefed-up V-6 cranks out 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of twist and tops out any existing version of the 370Z. While the regular model delivers 332 horses and 269 pound-feet, the 370Z Nismo comes with 350 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of twist on tap.

The Nissan 400Z continues a legacy that goes back to 1969

The first Z car was introduced in 1969 as the 240Z and remained in production until 1978 when it was followed by the 280ZX. Its successor, the 300ZX, followed in 1983 and was redesigned in 1989. In 2000, Nissan replaced the 300ZX with the 350Z, a direct predecessor to the 370Z we know today. The latter arrived in 2008, and as of 2020, it's the oldest vehicle in Nissan's current lineup.