The 2023 Nissan Z is a classic case of make the best of what you have. While a good all-around package, the latest Z-car rides on a chassis that is 20 years old. Now that the highly-anticipated Japanese coupe is finally here, it’s worth checking out how it stacks up to its more luxurious sibling, the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport in this drag race by Sam CarLegion. Both cars are motivated by the same engine and ride on the same chassis, but the Z has a 350 mm shorter wheelbase. We already know that a tuned Infiniti Q60 RS with all-wheel drive,can give even Godzilla a run for its money, so the Nissan Z has a lot to justify here.
The Nissan Z Is Not Perfect Out Of The Box
While the improved Z34 chassis of the Z is capable, Nissan has chosen to sell you the 2023 Z with Bridgestone Potenza tires. Unlike, let’s say, Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, which is what most of its competitors come with, the Bridgestone tires can’t cope with the 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm) from the Z’s 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6. This particular one sends power to the rear through the nine-speed automatic.
The Infiniti Q60 RS Has More Weight, But More Driven Wheels Too
The Infiniti Q60 Red Sport can be ordered both in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configuration. On paper, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) time of the Q60 RS is a few-tenths slower than the Z, but all-wheel drive should make it more consistent off the line, despite the 470 pounds (213 kg) extra weight. Both cars feature the same, VR30 DDTT engine, which means the Infiniti’s power-to-weight-ratio is worse than the Z’s. The Infiniti’s seven-speed automatic is also an older unit, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will lose.
The Nissan Z Struggles To Put The Power Down
The Nissan Z is a classic example that power is nothing without control. As the Infiniti pulls two car lengths ahead, the Nissan keeps spinning the rear tires. Once it finds traction, it stops the bleeding, and it may even have crossed the line at a higher top speed: 199 km/h (123.65 mph) as quoted by its driver, Sam.
From a 50 km/h (32 mph) roll, things are different. In theory, the Nissan Z not only has a better power-to-weight-ratio, but also less drivetrain loss due to being rear-wheel-drive-only. Unlike the previous two races, which were from a dig, the Nissan Z won, but in one of the battles it wasn’t as convincing as we had hoped. The Infiniti held its own in a straight line while being more luxurious and practical. A canyon drive will, no doubt, bear different results, but the video showcases perfectly where the Z’s biggest letdown is – Nissan’s choice of tires.