At the ZDayZ enthusiast meet in North Carolina today, Nissan unveiled the 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO. Keeping to the core of what has made previous 370Z NISMO models great, the 2015 model adds an aggressive new look, an available 7-speed automatic transmission option, and a new 370Z NISMO Tech package.

The most dramatic visual changes to the 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO are found at the front end, where a wider, reshaped grille opening, red splitter lip, and, at either side, vertical cooling inlets are added below LED Hyper daytime running lights. The red accent is also found on the re-shaped side sills, the side mirrors, and across the bottom of the rear bumper area. The rear spoiler has also been restyled and made smaller.

Standard equipment includes black and red Recaro seats with leather and Alcantara covering, 19-inch NISMO alloy wheels by RAYS wearing a charcoal gray machine finish, large Nissan Sport Brakes, a viscous limited-slip differential, and, of course, Nissan’s 350-horsepower, 276-pound-foot version of the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V-6 engine. The 2015 model’s suspension has also been slightly re-tuned.

A six-speed manual transmission with SynchroRev Match is standard, but a seven-speed automatic can also be had with the 2015 model, expanding the reach of the NISMO Z beyond the previous manual-only versions.

The new Tech package adds a welcome touch of up-level equipment, including a hard-drive-based navigation system with 7-inch touchscreen, rear-view camera, Bose audio, streaming Bluetooth audio, and more.

Only four exterior colors are offered: Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver, and Pearl White. The 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO goes on sale in July 2014. Pricing is expected to be announced closer to the on-sale date.

There was a surprise "guest" today at ZDAYZ, the annual gathering of hundreds of Nissan, Datsun and NISMO owners and enthusiasts – the world debut of the new 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO. A solid progress for 2015, the new 370Z NISMO model features exterior, interior and performance refinements, along with an expanded model selection that includes both 6-speed manual and 7-speed automatic transmissions and a new 370Z NISMO Tech grade.

"NISMO is the heart and soul of Nissan performance, both for the track and on the street, so it's fitting that we are showing the dramatic new 2015 370Z NISMO for the first time at a gathering of our most loyal and enthusiast owners," said Nissan Chief Planning Officer and Executive Vice President Andy Palmer. "The new 370Z NISMO joins the recently introduced Nissan GT-R NISMO and Nissan JUKE NISMO RS, giving performance fans a range of fresh, factory tuned NISMO models to enjoy."

2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO

The most striking change for the 2015 370Z NISMO is its revised exterior design. Its GT-R-inspired functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces have been redesigned to provide an aggressive and more aerodynamic new appearance – as well as optimizing front and rear downforce. Key changes include a new, deep front fascia with LED Hyper Daytime Running Lights, black headlight bezels, NISMO emblem and signature NISMO red stripe accent on the integrated front chin spoiler. The red accent continues down the redesigned side sills, on the black-color sideview mirrors and across the lower portion of the redesigned rear fascia. The unique NISMO rear spoiler has been reshaped and downsized.

The standard 19-inch NISMO super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels by RAYS also have been restyled for 2015 with a twin-five spoke design and a charcoal gray machine-finish (formerly silver).

Inside, the unique NISMO-styled interior is enhanced with redesigned black-and-red Recaro® leather-appointed seats with Alcantara® accents. The new seats, co-developed with Recaro®, are exclusively designed for the 370Z NISMO to provide more uniform body pressure and better all-direction holding during spirited acceleration, braking and cornering. They also play a key role in providing driving excitement by maximizing the harmony between driver and machine. The interior also features red seat trim and stitching with NISMO logo, an Alcantara®-appointed leather-wrapped steering wheel and NISMO red tachometer.

Also new for 2015 is the 370Z NISMO Tech model, which adds a hard drive-based Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch VGA touch-sensitive display, RearView Monitor, Bose® Audio System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®, auto-dimming rearview mirror and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver.

As in previous years, the 2015 370Z NISMO is powered by a potent 350-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The engine is matched with an exclusive, tuned H-configured exhaust system design, muffler tuning and an optimized calibration is installed to help create 18 horsepower more than a standard 370Z Coupe. Torque is rated at 276 lb-ft.

Two transmission choices are offered for the first time on the Z NISMO model. The close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission features standard SynchroRev Match®, the world's first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission, which allows rev-matched heel-toe-like downshifting. Newly available is a refined 7-speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with paddle shifters.
The 370Z NISMO also features a refined 4-wheel independent suspension, NISMO-branded strut tower brace for enhanced body rigidity and a pair of performance dampers to help minimize road-input vibrations and help contribute to the NISMO 370Z's high levels of handling and performance feel. The NISMO tuned suspension includes special springs and stabilizer bars. Large Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) – with a shorter final drive ratio for better acceleration feel - are also standard on the 2015 370Z NISMO.

The 2015 370Z NISMO is offered in just four exterior colors – Solid Red, Magnetic Black, Brilliant Silver and Pearl White. It is set to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in July 2014.

"There's much more to love about the 370Z NISMO than ever before – the new appearance inside and out, enhanced handling, new wheels, more technology and a choice of transmissions," added Palmer. "Our fans here at ZDAYZ want only the best and that's what this new 370Z NISMO delivers."

As the heart and soul of Nissan performance for both the track and on the street, NISMO continues to set the standard for straight-from-the-factory enthusiast vehicles. The lineup of NISMO production models for 2015 includes the GT-R NISMO, 370Z NISMO, JUKE NISMO and JUKE NISMO RS.

Yet as the popularity of NISMO models continues to grow – the 2015 GT-R NISMO is sold out, the 370Z NISMO accounts for 20 percent of total sales and JUKE NISMO models for about 15 percent – one group of performance enthusiast remains left out: Open-air sports car lovers. Enter the Nissan 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept, which makes its world debut at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. The custom vehicle combines the long list of 370Z NISMO Coupe performance equipment with a modified 370Z Roadster body and interior.

"The idea of adding NISMO levels of look, feel and performance to a Nissan 370Z Roadster is one that we've been considering for a long time," said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "The creation of the Nissan 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept brings that idea to life and lets us judge consumer reaction – which we predict is going to be outstanding."

The Nissan 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept's striking visual presence starts with the addition of its GT-R-inspired functional and fully integrated aerodynamic body pieces. In front, the deep front fascia with Hyper LED Daytime Running Lights, black headlight bezels, NISMO emblem and signature NISMO red stripe accents set the tone.

On the sides of the vehicle, the NISMO red accents and red sideview mirror covers continue the NISMO theme, adding a touch of flair to the dramatic top-down profile. In the middle of the vehicle, the fixed headrest bars are leather-wrapped with red accents. The rear is highlighted by a custom carbon-fiber rear spoiler created exclusively use on the 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept.

The convertible top itself, though it is expected to be rare that it is in the closed position, is a cloth power-folding roof with fabric inner liner design. It includes a single action top operation with automatic roof lock, steel tonneau cover and fixed glass wind deflector – just like every 2015 Nissan 370Z Roadster.

The dramatic exterior appearance is topped by an aggressive stance provided by the wide 19-inch NISMO super-lightweight forged aluminum-alloy wheels by RAYS (19x9.5-inch front, 19x10.5-inch rear), which receive a special custom finishing. Y-rated Bridgestone Potenza S001 245/40R19 front and 285/35R19 rear tires complete the package.

"With as much attention as the exterior modifications are expected to attract, we knew the interior had to be just as special, especially since with the convertible top in the down position everything is in plain sight," said Loing. "It doesn't disappoint."

The NISMO-styled interior is anchored by black Recaro® leather-appointed seats with red stitching and stain-repellent, off-white premium Ultrasuede® inserts – chosen to resist heat build-up when parked in open sunlight. The interior features custom red stitching with NISMO logo, an Alcantara®-appointed leather-wrapped 3-spoke steering wheel and NISMO red tachometer.

The 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept's suite of technology includes Nissan Navigation System with 7.0-inch VGA touch-sensitive display, RearView Monitor and Bose® Premium Audio System with six speakers and dual subwoofers to provide a clear soundtrack, even with the top down.

Even more than racing-inspired aerodynamic bodies and driver-oriented cockpit-style interiors, at its core NISMO is all about performance. To that end, the 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept is conceived to incorporate most of the engine and suspension modifications (versus non-NISMO 370Z models) of the 370Z NISMO coupe. This includes its potent 350-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift Control (VVEL). The 370Z NISMO's enhanced engine power and acceleration (versus non-NISMO 370Zs) is provided through use of an exclusive H-configured exhaust system design and muffler tuning, along with optimized ECM (Engine Control Module) calibration, to help create 18 horsepower more than a standard 370Z. Torque is rated at 276 lb-ft.

The 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept utilizes Nissan's refined 7-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with paddle shifters. "The majority of 370Z Roadster buyers prefer the automatic transmission, which with Downshift Rev Matching and paddle shifters comes close to the performance of a 6-speed manual – so that's how we specified the 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept," said Loing. "Matched with the NISMO-tuned engine, suspension and steering, it is a great combination, perfect for long open-top drives along the shoreline or mountain roads alike."

The 370Z NISMO Roadster Concept adds a NISMO-branded strut tower brace under the hood, along with a red engine cover. The NISMO-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension includes special springs and stabilizer bars. Large Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) – with a shorter final drive ratio for better acceleration feel – are also included.

"While it is only a design study at this point, we think the 370Z NISMO Roaster Concept would be a tremendous addition to the long and distinguished history of Z® sports cars," said Loing. "There's still nothing better than an open top and an open road ahead of you, especially when there's a NISMO badge on the bumper."

In celebration of June 3 as #NationalDonutDay, Formula Drift icon Chris Forsberg took to a production set in Southern California to put a unique spin on making donuts. Forsberg’s mission was to fling thousands of the tiny sprinkles onto more than 300 donuts using a Nissan 370Z NISMO as a utensil.

To be sure each of the cakes received ample coating, the team brought in two pallets of sprinkles weighing in at more than 2,800 pounds. Using all 350 horsepower on tap in the 370Z NISMO, Forsberg made 15 passes, ensuring a proper layer of sprinkles was achieved.

By the time it was over, more than 325 donuts and 120 boxes of sprinkles were used to create the stunt. However, the 370Z NISMO that powered the experiment proved to be the most delicious treat on the set.

Happy #DoingDonutZ, from Nissan.