The street value of the brand-new form is not as apparent. However alongside with the Z, the ZX doesn't make it appear dowdy or dated. The short, truncated tail of the old vehicle offered a tremendously practical look that's absent within the replacement. Possibly the largest tipoff regarding which vehicle is newer could be viewed within the lines of the ZX. The first Z was designed within the time when Pininfarina was doing gentle, rounded Ferraris. The Datsun did not possess the complete, molded - Jell - 0 appearance of, say, the Dino 246GT, however the sheet-metal of its own fenders and roof was shaped with fairly big - radius curves. The ZX will not go whole-heartedly in that direction either, but its curves are stiffened significantly, especially in the roofline and where in fact the body sheetmetal finishes in the tail. So Datsun's new skin does appear more modern while keeping at once a powerful family likeness to the initial Z.

The likeness between the old and new vehicles is just as powerful. The motor of the ZX is rated at 135 hp, down 14 with that of the Z, but Nissan spokesmen assert the only developments are the inclusion of the catalytic converter as well as the affiliated re-calibration of the ignition and fuelinjection systems. This, they say, should raise both functionality and economy. Copying the motor is a normal-gear fivespeed gearbox, exactly the same transmission which was previously optional. If that's your delight you may even purchase a threespeed automatic. Axle ratios are shuffled to no great consequence, a 3.70-replacing the formerly conventional 3.54 on fivespeed vehicles. Disk brakes are now fitted on all corners of the vehicle, vented in front and strong in rear. Power-steering is standard equipment in the 2 2 and optional in the twoseater.

All that is small things compared with the changes which were wrought within the suspension. At first glance the items seem to be little altered in the old Z, actually they're completely distinct and quite much like those of the sedan and coupe. It is a major change from the point of view, however it does not always impact management. The exact same cannot be said of the newest semitrailing-arm back suspension that replaces the MacPhersonstrut arrangement of the Z. Semitrailing arms are everywhere nowadays. However, this system would appear to provide no practical edge to the Z. It still needs two big spring towers within the trunk region, as well as the components underneath will not be significantly simpler or cheaper. Furthermore, it has some obvious drawbacks from a managing perspective. Just like the aged Z, the back squats on speedup. There's additionally a modest number of selfsteering around bumps and during hard braking. Generally, the ride quality is underdamped and lavish, more like the luxury car when compared to a sport machine.