Z432R Fu New: Nissan Z Customized Proto ... Tokyo Auto Salon 2022 [Designer Interview]

(Photo: Response)

Nissan exhibited the "Fairlady Z Customized Proto" at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2022, which further enhances the individuality of the new "Fairlady Z". We asked the designers about the details such as the details reminiscent of the famous car of the past, "Fairlady Z432R". See related images ◆ Features on the pinpoint Fairlady Z ----: The Japanese version of the new Fairlady Z was unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2022, but what is the idea behind this Fairlady Z customized proto? It was probably made in. Mitsunori Morita, Chief of Advanced Design Department, Nissan Global Design Headquarters (henceforth abbreviated title): In the first place, the new Fairlady Z has been shaped by looking back on past heritage and valuing its history. Originally there was a homage to the heritage of the past, but there are many fans in Z, and you can think of various Z statues. For example, there are various images such as Z that won the race, Z that ran in the safari rally, the legendary Z432R, and the Maroon 240Z of the Z nose. In other words, even if you say Z in a bite, the world view is very wide. So, when we send the new Z to the world from now on, this customized proto is one example of how to customize based on it, how to develop a slightly different world view using accessories, and how to expand it. It is positioned. As you can see, you probably feel the heritage stronger than the standard car. The Z432R is orange, which makes me feel it. In our generation, everyone longed for the S30, so I bought a lot of miniature cars and made a lot of plastic models. It is an example that if you customize the new model with the image of the ultimate figure of the Z direction (Z432R), it will be like this. For example, when viewed from the front of the standard car Z, the top and bottom of the grill are separate, and a horizontal character is included. On the other hand, the standard car is made by regarding the front radiator grille as a single surface. This is an expression such as modernity, but this is a little more honest, it is more like the old way of making car shapes, all three-dimensional development is done horizontally, and the air dam is scooped out. It's really like an old racing car, like putting it out. It is a trial of what happens if you make it comfortably. Similarly, black stripes are put on the side, but it also emphasizes the image of passing through the side from the bumper to the rear wheel. In contrast to the standard car, the design of the car emphasizes the horizontal baseline, and old cars had side moldings at the stripes and always had deflection, but that kind of thing was used. This style is a modern and modern reinterpretation. ----: You also use it as an over fender. Morita: Actually, the overall height is also lowered by 20mm, and the tire size is especially fat at the rear, from 275 to 285 of the standard car. And a 30mm tread on one side spreads out, and I attached an over fender to cover it. Nowadays, the trend is for minimalist designs, so I think it's normal for overfenders to fit nicely into the body, but I dare to add strength and power to the retrofit, and the symbolism of the car that has been around for a long time. I think the Fairlady Z is the best material for appealing to the value. And since there are various ways to pursue it based on the wide image of Fairlady Z, one of them is to emphasize the value of the conventional car-likeness with this concept model. As you can see from the wheels, this is a little more powerful and powerful than the standard car with lightweight and high-performance forged wheels. There may be an atmosphere that makes you feel that kind of thing, and you may have seen it somewhere, but we are trying a way to appeal the charm that is a little different from the standard car. Speaking of this concept model, for example, if it can be prepared as a set with a bumper, wheels and a rear spoiler in a package, for those who bought the standard model Z and can resonate with this world view. This is just one example. I haven't decided yet, but I'd love to see the response this time and think about it. ◆ Meaning of doing it at the manufacturer ----: Of course, you will want to work on the interior because you have done so far. Morita: That's right. However, the meaning that we manufacturers do is simply retrospective, and I think it is our role to put in the old manners as they are. It feels a little classical, but that's the spirit, but as a design process, it's a car that will be released in the future, so I'm conscious of a modern and new taste. ----: Where is that new taste? Morita: For example, the rear has a larger spoiler, wider width, and higher height. And it is the way of Z432 that the back is blackened. This is a treatment that people of my generation would think of. The muffler was also made in collaboration with FUJITSUBO, but the image of the Z432 vertical double muffler is that the shape of the finisher can be seen by the viewer. This is on both sides, but the fact that it is divided into two in the center itself is a process of ruminating the heritage as a symbolic character. And, in terms of newness, it has retrofit parts compared to the standard car, but as a design method, the number of faces is as small as possible, and a simple way of summarizing that is in the present era is adopted minimally. I am. The number of spoiler faces is the minimum number, 3 faces, and the fender can also be appealed with the world view of screwing as in the past, but this time it is very simple. I make it on one side. In this way, it is in line with Nissan's design concept of being simple and not adding extra decorative aspects, so that is what makes it look modern. ◆ With delight ----: Please tell us your impressions of actually designing this car. Morita: We have a lot of love and love for the work of Fairlady Z itself. Therefore, when I hear that people of our generation can be involved in this car, the team is extremely happy to do it. I don't think there are many cars that can be highly motivated. I think it's our property and I think it's a treasure. I'm really happy that I can finally work as a sports car this year. Actually, I've been looking at all NISMO road car designs and accessories for three years. My main job right now is NISMO. The NISMO team naturally makes sports models, so I'm used to making sports cars. Therefore, when I try to customize Z like this, people who are accustomed to making sports cars are called out. NISMO is always made from a more functional point of view, such as aerodynamics and weight reduction. However, this time, leaving that kind of thing aside, people who knew the old Z saw it, oh! This work is to create a world view that seems straightforward, and to start with such emotions. ----; It was rewarding as a designer. Morita: It's fun, isn't it? I wonder if it feels the most. You just have to make a car that looks good. Maybe that's it. Such a happy job is rare, isn't it? Actually, I used to design the current "Leaf", and I was also in charge of "Days" and "Lukes". At Nissan Motor, you can design from light cars to electric cars, from Fairlady Z to "GTR" to NISMO. I was also involved in the development of GT cars. As a car designer, I'm not happy to be able to do so widely. A lot of know-how cultivated through such various things is utilized. It was a really fun job. It would be nice if we could somehow deliver this to our customers in a form similar to this. I am very grateful to all the people who have seen this time and received many voices asking me to do it right away.

Response Shunichi Uchida