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The Nissan Z brings back the twin-turbo V-6, but is it enough to keep up with a V-8-powered Mustang GT?
Sam CarLegion / YouTube
a front 3/4 shot of a 2022 Ford Mustang GT next to a 2023 Nissan Z on a drag strip
The Nissan Z arrived for the 2022 model year and immediately, it was pitted against all of its competitors. This time, the YouTube channel “Sam CarLegion” has prepared the neo-retro, Japanese coupe to go up against a 2022 Ford Mustang GT. Both cars are equipped with automatic transmissions – the Nissan has a nine-speed while the Mustang has a 10-speed unit – but that’s not the whole story. The two cars bring different performance formulas to the table, but this battle may come down to which has the better tires.
A Race Pitting Displacement Versus Forced Induction
The Ford Mustang GT still relies on the tried-and-tested, 5.0-liter, DOHC, Coyote V-8, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. It has 460 horsepower (343 kilowatts) and 420 pound-feet (569 Nm) without the need to use turbochargers or superchargers. The Nissan Z, on the other hand, has a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, DOHC V-6 with 400 horsepower (294 kilowatts) and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm). We know the VR30 DDTT unit from the refreshed Infiniti Q50 and Q60 Red Sport, and even with basic mods it can give even a Nissan GT-R a proper fight.
Mustang Has More Weight, But Better Tires
a rear 3/4 shot of a 2023 Nissan Z next to a 2022 Ford Mustang GT at a drag strip
At 3,550 pounds (1,610 kg), the automatic Nissan Z is hardly in its lightest form. The Mustang is bigger and as a result, tips the scales at 3,752 pounds (1,701 kg). Both vehicles send power to the rear through automatic transmissions, but neither is known as the best in the segment – that title goes to the ZF, eight-speed automatic, found in the Dodge Challenger/Charger .
When journalists were given the keys to press cars of the Nissan Z, the main complaint was the lack of a proper contact patch. Bridgestone Potenza tires aren’t enough to handle the Z’s power levels. On the other hand, the Mustang GT comes with Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, one of the current top choices for high-performance tires. Regardless of the outcome, both vehicles still represent great bang for the buck. We know that both the Nissan Z and Ford Mustang GT are 12-second, quarter-mile cars, but as the video clearly shows, the two are more evenly matched than we expected.
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