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Nissan has a new heavy hitter in the sports car segment, and it promises to shake things up. We’re talking, of course, about the retro-inspired Nissan Z and its 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6. However, even the range-topping Nissan Z Performance has competition to contend with, one of the most formidable rivals is the Ford Mustang Mach 1. However, the Nissan Z Performance has three advantages over the Ford Mustang Mach 1, such as of Nissan’s starting price.
How much does Performance Z cost?
The Nissan Z Performance is cheaper than the Ford Mustang Mach 1 and a comparable Toyota GR Supra 3.0. Specifically, the range-topping Performance trim starts at $51,015. That puts the refreshed coupe at about $5,950 less than the sharpened Ford Mustang Mach 1.
While the Mach 1 wears performance features from the Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500, the Z Performance also has sports-oriented components worthy of its price. For example, potential owners who choose the Nissan Z Performance in a Sport trim will get a limited-slip differential, performance exhaust, rear spoiler, upgraded wheels, and 19-inch Rays wheels.
How much does the Nissan Z weigh?
According to Car and Driver, the Nissan Z Performance weighs approximately 3,507 lbs. While that sounds impressive compared to the Toyota GR Supra 3.0’s 3,382 lbs, it’s quite a bit lighter than the Ford Mustang Mach 1. The Mach 1 comes in at 3,793 lbs, nearly 400 lbs more than the smaller Nissan Z.
The Mach 1 does its best to overcome that weight difference with horsepower. It makes 480 ponies from its naturally-aspirated 5.0L Coyote V8 engine compared to the Nissan’s 400. However, both cars make enough horsepower to be limited in traction, especially the Nissan coupe with its Bridgestone Potenza tires.
Is the Ford Mustang Mach 1 fuel efficient?
The third advantage of the Nissan Z Performance over the Ford Mustang Mach 1 is fuel economy. The 3.0L V6-powered Nissan sports coupe averages 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. That’s not great compared to the Toyota GR Supra in either trim; the 2.0L model gets about 29 mpg combined, and the 3.0L trims get about 27 mpg.
However, the heavier, more powerful V8-powered Mach 1 is a bit thirstier than the Nissan sports car. The Mach 1 averages 14 mpg city and 22 mpg at highway speeds. The Nissan Z Performance is lighter and more efficient than the Mach 1.
Is the Nissan Z Performance a good alternative for the Ford Mustang Mach 1?
For potential owners who want a better, lighter, cheaper alternative to Ford’s naturally-aspirated track star, the Nissan Z Performance is a solid choice. Its retro aesthetic, 400-horsepower 3.0L V6, and Performance trim make it a great sports coupe to challenge even V8-powered track-ready cars. Of course, the Mach 1 tugs at the heartstrings with its classic appeal and graphics as well as sharp, circuitous handling characteristics.
Moreover, the Toyota GR Supra, the natural rival for the Nissan sports coupe, is a solid alternative to the Mustang and other sports cars. Of course, the Z offers a manual and a 400-horsepower V6 in every trim level.
RELATED: 3 Reasons to Buy a Manual Nissan Z Over a Manual Toyota Supra
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