The Nissan Z versus Toyota GR Supra battle is shaping up to be the rivalry of the decade as both vehicles attempt to appeal to the enthusiast market. With both vehicles being relatively attainable and with similar specs, at least on paper, both the Z and GR Supra are now highly sought-after, despite having come out relatively recently. With that said, the retro-futuristic Nissan Z is clearly the more nostalgic of the two while the fifth-generation Supra is a new beginning for the iconic nameplate. While the Z was considered to be the more enthusiast-centric model, the introduction of a manual GR Supra not only equalized the playing field but actually made it a better car than the Z.
Modern Underpinnings
It is no secret that the Nissan Z sits on the same platform as its predecessor, the Nissan 370Z. The 2023 model even retains the same wheelbase and Z34 internal chassis code as its normally-aspirated forbearer. The platform can be traced back to 2001 and despite numerous modifications over the years, there’s no hiding the fact that it’s old. Still, we have to give credit where it’s due as the Z manages to keep up with more sophisticated propositions for much less money.
By comparison, the GR Supra sits on a platform jointly developed by Toyota and BMW. It is actually based on BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform, which was first introduced in 2015. The modular platform underpins most BMW models, right up to the BMW 7 Series and X7 SUV, as well as a small German roadster called the Boldmen CR4 (technically, the German Miata). The takeaway here is that it is a much newer platform, designed to house anything from a small inline-three engine to a big V-12.
The GR Supra is Lighter than the Nissan Z
Unless we are talking about physics-defying cars like the Nissan GT-R or Bugatti Chiron, lightness and performance go hand in hand. This is where the GR Supra has the advantage over the Nissan Z as it weighs 260 pounds (118 kg) less. At its lightest, the 2023 Nissan Z weighs 3,468 pounds (1,581 kg). Meanwhile, the GR Supra tips the scales at 3,285 pounds (1,490 kg). In case you wonder, the manual GR Supra is 88 pounds (40 kg) lighter than the automatic.
The GR Supra Was Always the Quicker Car
In terms of 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) and quarter-mile times, the Toyota GR Supra already proved to be the quicker car, at least when it comes to models with an automatic transmission. The A91 Supra needs 3.8 seconds to reach 60 mph (97 km/h) from a standstill while the Nissan Z takes a still blistering 4.0 seconds. The quarter-mile times are 12.1 seconds at 117 mph (188.3 km/h) for the Toyota and 12.3 seconds at 116 mph (186.7 km/h). The difference really isn’t all that big, but it’s still there. As for the versions of the cars equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) takes 4.3 seconds for the Nissan Z and 4.2 seconds for the Toyota GR Supra, which in both cases is 0.3 seconds slower than their automatic counterparts.
The GR Supra Hides Its True Engine Output
Both cars come with a 3.0-liter engine that features direct injection and turbocharging, but that’s where the similarities end. The Nissan Z relies on the VR30 DDTT, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V-6 that makes 400 horsepower (299 kilowatts) and 350 pound-feet (475 Nm). The GR Supra relies on a BMW-derived, B58, 3.0-liter, turbocharged, inline-six that, officially, makes 382 horsepower (285 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm).
Back when National Speed modified a GR Supra, their dyno tests revealed the true power output in stock form, which was 338 horsepower (252 kilowatts) and 398 pound-feet (540 Nm) to the rear wheels. After accounting for drivetrain loss, this equates to 405 horsepower and around 440 pound-feet (600 Nm) at the crankshaft. Those figures became much more substantial once basic mods were applied to the GR Supra.
For a long time, the Nissan Z was considered to be the bane of the GR Supra, but such revelations proved the opposite. Still, it is a well-known fact that BMW often downplays the output of its engines. The Nissan Z’s twin-turbo V-6 engine is also proving to be a tuner’s wet dream as the same powertrain has allowed the fastest Infiniti Q60 to run nine-second quarter-mile times. Moreover, the same engine shows impressive gains with only the basic mods, allowing the Q60 to easily run with its big cousin, the Nissan GT-R. With that said, the Nissan Z’s most redeeming feature compared to the GR Supra is its starting price of just over $40,000 versus the 3.0-liter GR Supra’s starting price of over $52,000.