My GT7 Log: Episode Z

The Nissan Fairlady Z has become the second best thing to come out since the iconic Skyline GT-R. Since 1969, the Fairlady Z has been forever known to rewrite the rules of sports cars and remains one of the most important forefathers of the JDM sportscar realm apart from the 2000GT from Toyota and the Cosmo from Mazda.

Aside from being one of the iconic sports cars in Nissan's history, it remains one of the unsung heroes of the seinen manga/anime genre when it became the star of the Wangan Midnight franchise as the Devil Z, the demon of the Wangan expressway that Akio Asakura is brave enough to drive this monster. From conquering the Tokyo highways to the world, speedo boys can't get enough of the Fairlady Z's lineage from the beginning up 'till now. As the world braced for the new normal, the question now is, does the Fairlady Z still has a chance to survive the new society we live in?

The answer is a bare yea and in response, Nissan has unleashed the new Fairlady Z to show the world that Z is back in the race.

From its 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show unveiling to its Japan premiere at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, the new Fairlady Z continues to rewrite the rules of sports cars in a big way.

As observers point out, the new Fairlady Z is not really an all-new model. In fact, it's basically a big minor change version of the Z34 Fairlady Z launched in December 2008, giving the RZ34 code, but most of the stuff in this model is completely new.

The Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 features an eclectic mix of design cues inspired by past models as well as a cutting-edge interior featuring a GT-R-derived steering wheel, the signature triple pod cluster, and race-inspired gauges. Under the hood, the previous model's 3.7L VVEL engine was replaced by the VR30DDTT 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine derived from the Skyline 400R. It produces nearly 400HP of power and 475Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed AT. It features optional launch control for the first time in a Z car and a mechanical LSD.

Apart from the performance it delivers, the RZ34 Fairlady Z features new monotube shocks, new front geometry, rear suspension tuning, and another first for the Z car, electric power steering. It even features increased rigidity and available sports brakes.

Although a shocker to many because of its electric power steering that made it feel bulky to drive, the RZ34 delivers the best of both worlds and it continues to live up to its lineage as the sports car that served as the GT-R's head honcho, the second-in-command, the right-hand man, whatever speedo boys see fit.

To find out just how good the new Fairlady Z is, I need to find a suitable sandbox to test it out. Sure, I would like to test it on the Nurburgring like most sports cars but because the RZ34 is not available Euro-wide due to tightening regulations, best to cross that out, sadly.

So, if I can't test the RZ34 to the Nurburgring, where to test it? Look up and you'll see the answer; Laguna Seca.

Being used by most car magazines to test new cars, Laguna Seca is the ideal place to give the RZ34 Fairlady Z the two minutes of fame it will never forget. Actually, I won't do this at exactly two minutes because I'm going less than two minutes and this is what I'll do with the RZ34 as it will go around Laguna Seca in less than two minutes. Ready? Roll the tape.

After a quick lap around Laguna Seca, the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 with the 9-speed automatic mated in it did it in 1:48.014. Exactly as planned.

In the midst of the new normal, the Fairlady Z continues to fight back in new and exciting ways to win the hearts of speedo boys. The RZ34 may be a big minor change from the Z34 Fairlady Z but it's primed and ready to tackle the challenges of the Reiwa era like a bonafide Reiwa era JDM sports car. It seems that bitter sacrifices have been made to make the RZ34 the best Fairlady Z ever made. Sure, it has lost its European fans due to Nissan's decision not to sell the RZ34 on the Old Continent but for speedo boys in America, Japan, and other countries permitted to sell it, will the RZ34 Fairlady Z be hit or a miss? 

Only time will tell but in the meantime, the only game to experience the thrill of the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 is on Gran Turismo 7. It's a shocker letting the RZ34 become a Gran Turismo-exclusive car. Boo.