Nissan Z (RZ34)

The 2022 Nissan Z (RZ34) arrives from a very specific point in the 600-car catalogue: a moment when a sports coupe could still be built around a twin-turbocharged V6, rear-wheel drive and a traditional two-door shape. Only 22 of the 600 cars combine a V6 with RWD, and just 23 are twin-turbocharged V6 cars, making this configuration the detail that separates the Z from the wider collection.

Its place in the catalogue is more nuanced than a simple performance ranking. With 400 bhp, the Z sits at 422 of 600 cars for power, placing it in the top 70% of the catalogue. Its 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds ranks 390 of 600, meaning it is quicker than 210 cars in the collection, while its 250 km/h top speed ranks 414 of 600. These numbers position the Z as a capable sports car rather than a machine chasing the absolute limits of the catalogue.

The appeal comes from how its ingredients fit together. A 3.0-litre V6 with twin-turbocharging produces 400 bhp and 475 Nm, with power sent to the rear wheels. That balance creates a particular kind of entry for a dream garage, one built around the combination of layout and character rather than simply reaching for the highest figures available. The fact that only 51 of the 600 cars use a V6 makes the engine choice itself a less common path.

The Z also occupies an interesting space on cost. At a used price of £45,000, it ranks 465 of 600 cars, meaning it is more expensive than 135 cars in the catalogue. Its £113 cost per bhp places that performance package into a clear value conversation, especially for collectors comparing it against a wide range of cars with different priorities.

Coming from Japan, one of 48 cars from that country in the catalogue, and representing one of Nissan’s 10 catalogue entries, the Z carries a distinct place within this collection. It is not the fastest or most powerful choice available, but it offers a configuration shared by very few others.

Choosing the Nissan Z means accepting a trade-off: the collector gives up some outright ranking in exchange for a rare combination of V6 power, twin-turbocharging, rear-wheel drive and coupe proportions. In a garage filled with different approaches to performance, this is the car that preserves a specific formula from the 2022 moment it represents.