The 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon is all go, and should you caught my preview put up this morning you’ll know that changed variations of Nissan’s new Z are – as anticipated – on present in numbers. One of the anticipated RZ34 builds belongs to VeilSide.
Understanding how cool this automotive was going to be (Yokomaku-san teased us with loads of progress pictures late final yr) I made a plan to go to VeilSide forward of TAS and take a correct look.
Fortunately for me, there was no last-second ‘TAS crunch’ sprint to the end line; Yokomaku-san had the automotive accomplished proper on schedule, which means there have been a couple of days for me to get it shot at VeilSide HQ earlier than it was transported to the Makuhari Messe.
So right here it’s, the VeilSide FFZ400 – ‘FF’ probably to be an acronym of the Quick and the Livid. There’s historical past, bear in mind.
Nissan’s new Z has nicely and actually been given the VeilSide therapy, and all of it got here collectively within the house of simply two months.
The basic VeilSide components are all very a lot right here, beginning on the entrance with an elongated bumper that makes the automotive appear to be it’s going 300km/h down the Wangan even when it’s parked up. The inventory grille has been built-in into the design and is joined by 4 further openings on the splitter portion of the brand new bumper with even bigger grilled-off intakes in between.
The selection to go orange may very well be a tip of the hat to the 432R race model of the S30 Fairlady Z that was solely offered in Japan, however since Yokomaku-san can also be calling the automotive “Han’s 400Z” we’ll allow you to determine the place the colour inspiration got here from. Coincidentally, Nismo has additionally chosen to go together with an analogous orange hue for his or her RZ34 demo automotive.
One element that Yokomaku hung out refining is the realm across the headlights. He actually wished to emphasise the lights’ form, so added some sharp physique traces within the space to attain it.
The fenders additionally function a contrasting vented addition comprised of a collection of louvers that circulate into the primary vent element.
Signature 5-spoke VeilSide wheels in a 20-inch fitment sit deep into the marginally widened fenders due to air suspension.
As a result of there’s nothing like hitting a button to attain that excellent stance.
Yokomaku actually likes the delicate S30 nod within the middle of the hood, and has highlighted this Z-specific design element in a novel method.
The arduous half of any undertaking like that is ensuring that all of it flows collectively, so there may be coherent and evident design language.
There’s little level in crafting an aggressive entrance bumper design after which leaving the rear inventory.
As we progress down the aspect profile, the skirts actually assist pull the entire look collectively.
In contrast to VeilSide’s A90 Supra, the Z’s rear fenders have been left uncut, which means what seems to be like a correct overfender is definitely an FRP add-on utilized over the unique fender. Yokomaku thinks that the majority RZ34 homeowners received’t be eager on somebody taking a grinder to their new buy, so this answer will get you the look, however nonetheless retains all of the manufacturing unit metallic in place.
That mentioned, the rise in width remains to be properly achieved, with greater than sufficient room for some first rate rear rubber.
Your entire fender piece then superbly flows into an elongated ducktail spoiler with particular drag vibes. The fading VeilSide logos on the wing stays are a pleasant contact.
When Nissan unveiled the brand new Z in 2020, it acknowledged that the accent piece alongside the roofline was impressed by the blade of a katana (samurai sword). To focus on this design ingredient, Yokomaku gave the piece a typical hamon sample – the wavy line that outlines the hardened part of a sword.
In typical VeilSide style, the inside has been given a couple of primary touches to provide it a bespoke really feel.
First up we have now a set of Bride seats that had been custom-made particularly for this undertaking.
Look intently and also you’ll see that they’ve trimmed in a suede-like cloth dotted with little VeilSide logos.
To tie it into the remainder of the cabin, the identical cloth has been used on the door playing cards…
The sprint…
And the steering wheel middle. It actually elevates the cabin’s really feel whereas retaining the manufacturing unit black scheme.
On the time of capturing, the Z had simply 12km on the odometer. Yokomaku informed me that it was picked up from the Nissan vendor on a flatbed truck again in October, and instantly positioned within the workshop for the body-sculpting work to start.
Lifting the heavy deck lid – heavy as a result of the automotive now wears that large rear wing – reveals the air suspension setup. It virtually resembles a horizontally-opposed two-cylinder engine.
Up entrance we have now six cylinders in fact. The V6 twin-turbo VR30DETT has been left in its inventory state, as efficiency tuning will not be one thing VeilSide focuses on lately.
Whereas the drag racing and high-speed trials of the ’80s and ’90s formed Yokomaku’s previous, the way forward for VeilSide is all about design.
VeilSide will, nonetheless, promote you their very own exhaust system. Primarily as a result of it’s a styling cue, but in addition as a result of the inventory Z is simply method too quiet from manufacturing unit.
As I used to be ending off the shoot, Yokomaku-san additionally grabbed some fast pictures of the automotive, stating it was the primary time he had seen it outdoors.
The 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon halls may be crammed with superb Zs in all flavors, however for me, this one’s additional particular.
Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
[email protected]