Roundish headlights and 300ZX-style taillights will reportedly serve as key retro touches. We hope that means the 400Z will present simple, clean lines rather than the busy, borderline-tortured look seen on some recent Nissan concepts and production cars. The original Datsun 240Z is said to serve as a styling inspiration. The 300Z name (or 300ZX for nostalgia's sake) would make the most sense given the engine's displacement, but we predict that Nissan will instead choose 400Z to assert the new car's superiority over its predecessors. The Z is a front-engine rear-wheel-drive sports car, and this one should stay true to that heritage. The engine and architecture can accommodate all-wheel drive, but we doubt Nissan will go that route. Nissan already hinted that such a thing is possible when it bolted a six-speed manual to the twin-turbo engine for a modified 370Z SEMA concept in 2019. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission available in those Infinitis, but we're hopeful that a stick shift will be offered as well. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that makes up to 400 horsepower in the Infiniti Q50 and Q60 seems like a shoo-in. It will continue on the latest version of Nissan's FM platform and share components with the Infiniti Q60 coupe.

The new Z, code-named Z35, won't be a ground-up rethink. Nissan Z Test Mule Teases the Next-Gen Car

Nissan z prototype