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2021.12.05
Nissan unveils its new 2022 model GT500 race car “Z GT500” at Fuji Speedway

Nissan unveils its new 2022 model GT500 race car “Z GT500” at Fuji Speedway の画像

On December 5, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. (NISMO) held an unveiling event for the newly designed Nissan Z GT500 race car that will compete in the SUPER GT Series GT500 class from next season.

Merely a week after the final round of the 2021 season, the Nissan camp was already putting its program for the next season in gear. It had already been announced that the current Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 machine would be retired at the end of the season, but many Nissan fans were still waiting for the real unveiling of the new machine that will take its place.

 

 

That wait was now over, as the new Nissan GT500 race machine was unveiled today at Fuji Speedway. This unveiling event took place both in front of the fans and simultaneously on YouTube
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n7HSdkR4f0

The presentation began with Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta giving a history of the Fairlady Z race cars and thoughts about the legendary figures from Japan and abroad who made it what it is. Also, four current drivers gathered at Fuji this day to give their first impressions of the new Z GT500 machine. Among them, Tsugio Matsuda said: “Just seeing it up close, I am overwhelmed by its aura. I can’t wait drive it.” Then Ronnie Quintarelli commented: “It truly has the look of a sportscar. It is just so cool in appearance.” Kohei Hirate added: “I feel like it is calling me to get in quick and take it for a ride.” Finally, Masataka Yanagida said: “I feel in it a strong reflection of the historic Z essence.”

 

 

 

 

After that, the newly designed Nissan Z GT500 was driven onto the track. Not yet wearing any race coloring, the development machine was painted throughout in matte black finish that clearly showed the signature streamlined silhouette of the Z, while bearing “Z” logos on the bonnet and the aft portion of the sides.
The new Nissan Z GT500 was driven by Ronnie Quintarelli. Then, a demonstration run on the track began along with Kohei Hirate driving the No. 23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R. Their driving was no less intense than it had been just one week earlier when they competed in the hard-fought final round of the 2021 SUPER GT series here at Fuji Speedway. This demonstration run also bore all the power and drama of a succession ceremony as the new Z takes over for the retiring GT-R.

 

 

 

Next, representing all the Nissan race drivers, Matsuda said, “I am very happy to be here at the unveiling of the new Z machine. In 2022, I want to make sure we win the SUPER GT championship and open a page in the history of the new Z.” Then, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta gave a message to all Nissan fans, saying: “Just like the legendary figures of the past who have been involved in the Z history, we at Nissan will once again take on new challenges that we hope will make our fans proud that they have cheered us on.”

 

 

After the demonstration run, the presentation shifted to the indoor venue where Nissan COO Gupta and NISMO President and CEO Takao Katagiri gave an online press conference. Here, COO Gupta said: “We compete in racing for our Nissan employees, our partners and our fans, and we race to win. The two pillars of these efforts are the Formula E and SUPER GT series. We want to bring excitement to life, not only for motorsport fans but for everyone, and we will continue to feed the technology garnered there back into our road cars.”
Next, CEO Katagiri commented on Nissan’s intentions for next season, saying: “In order to further accelerate our corporate restructuring program “NISSAN NEXT,” we decided to enter a newly designed model of the Z, which has long stood as the symbol of the DNA of the Nissan brand, to race in the highly competitive SUPER GT series. To bring out the full potential of this new Z racer designed in compliance with the GT500 regulations, we are developing it making maximum use of NISMO’s technical expertise. Through off-season tests aimed at next year’s opening round, we are accelerating the development efforts, so that we can compete with passion throughout the 2022 season with the new Z.”

 

 

Since 2008, Nissan has competed in the SUPER GT GT500 class with the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT500 for 14 seasons, and from the 2022 season a new challenge will begin with the new “Nissan Z GT500” race car. In response to a question from the press concerning the reason for this move, CEO Katagiri said: “We have competed for 14 seasons with the GT-R, during which we won at times but also lost often, but I feel that overall we fought well. And I think that the fans were happy with our efforts. Now, thinking about the global strategy for the Z, we decided to change to a race car that support and contribute to that strategy. We are taking this opportunity to review and make revisions in a number of areas to make this a racer that can win continuously with the aim of taking the series championship.”

 

 

We are told that the development project for the new Z GT500 began two years ago. About the difference between the new Z and the GT-R NISMO GT500, CEO Katagiri said: “The biggest difference is the shape of the car.” At this stage, there were no further comments about the specifics, but what we know is that the development concept is to make optimal use of the qualities of the Z in order to develop a higher performance racing car. Now, we all look forward to how the Nissan teams will compete with the Nissan Z GT500 in what will be its true “unveiling,” the opening round of the 2022 series at Okayama (April 16 and 17, 2022).

 

 

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