Nissan Z rally tribute revealed - not intended for sale

author: FutureCar Staff    

Last year, Nissan released a Juke-based tribute to its 1971 East African Rally-winning 240Z – but now it has done things properly by turning the new Z coupe into an off-road racer.

Japanese car-maker Nissan has turned its latest-generation Z sports car into an off-road rally machine, paying tribute to the coupe's competition heritage – but don't expect it in your nearest showroom.

If this all seems familiar, the 50th anniversary of the 240Z's win was celebrated in July 2021 with digital renderings of a Nissan Juke-based tribute to the sports coupe – later turned into a real car in May 2022.

However, Nissan has now entrusted South Carolina-based speed shop Tommy Pike Customs with turning its new Z car into a true representation of the rally winner.

In addition to the red-and-black livery which replicates that of the 1971 240Z's, the Nissan Z has been equipped with LED driving lights on its front bumper, bonnet and A-pillars, while a bumper guard and skid plate protect its V6 engine.

Under the body panels, there's custom KW ‘Safari' suspension and Nismo parts which deliver an extra five centimetres of ground clearance – and help to provide room for the 17x7.5-inch Nismo Safari wheels, wrapped in Yokohama Geolander mud-terrain tyres.

The Nissan Z's 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine produces no more power or torque than the standard road car, but has been upgraded with a Nismo cat-back exhaust system, cold air intake, carbon-fibre engine cover, coolant expansion tank, heat exchanger, and twin-disc clutch and flywheel.

Unfortunately, unlike the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, Nissan does not plan to put the Safari Rally Z Tribute into production.

Instead, it will be on display at this week's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas, alongside a replica of the 1971 East African Rally-winning 240Z.

However, Nissan and Japanese watchmaker Seiko have released a ‘Seiko Safari Z watch', paying tribute to the latter's sponsor logos on the side of the 240Z – limited to 240 examples and priced from $US299 ($AU470).

Jordan Mulach is Canberra/Ngunnawal born, currently residing in Brisbane/Turrbal. Joining the Drive team in 2022, Jordan has previously worked for Auto Action, MotorsportM8, The Supercars Collective and TouringCarTimes, WhichCar, Wheels, Motor and Street Machine. Jordan is a self-described iRacing addict and can be found on weekends either behind the wheel of his Octavia RS or swearing at his ZH Fairlane.

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FutureCar Staff