Nissan lit up the screens of the world’s motoring media and brand fans on Wednesday with a virtual reveal of the latest incarnation of its Z sports car.
Called the Z Proto – as it’s a prototype, you probably didn’t need telling – the new model has been redesigned from bumper to bumper.
The car is said to combine a retro theme that also projects futurism, if that doesn’t sound all too steampunk. Nowhere is this attempt to combine past and present more obvious though than in the fact the Z has clearly had a total reboot – yet retains a manual gearbox alongside the V6 twin-turbocharged engine.
Many are surprised to discover the Z dates back half a century to 1969, with six distinct generations in that time period and total sales of 1.35 million worldwide. As with every new Z though, there has been a power upgrade. Agility is also a key factor in the Proto, however, Nissan is keen to emphasis.
The unveiled model was decked out in bright yellow, apparently a nod to the first generation models the 240Z and 300ZX, with a black roof. Similarly, the shape of the bonnet and the distinctive outline of the headlights are also reminders of what came before.
The interior design team sought advice from professional motorsports drivers to give the Proto a properly functional cabin, both for road and track. This can be seen in the Z’s instrumentation – all vital information is found in the 12.3-inch digital display and arranged to help whoever is behind the wheel to grasp what is afoot at a glance. The redline shift point is situated at the 12 o-clock position, for example.
Astute observers were aware a new Z might be in the pipeline after the Japanese manufacturer hinted at such an event in a brand video Nissan A-Z, which was released in May this year.
During the reveal, the manufacturer’s chief executive Makoto Uchida said the car represented the spirit of the brand. “It’s a key model in our Nissan Next transformation plan, and it’s proof of our ability to do what others don’t dare to do, from A to Z,” he added.
No specifics on when these cars will be arriving in the Middle East, or how much they’ll cost, but a previous generation model, the 370Z, would set you back around Dh170,000.
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EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
Result
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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