Marc UrbanoCar and Driver
A faceoff between two rear-drive, six-speed sports coupes with at least 400 horsepower.
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The Nissan Z shares underpinnings with the previous 370Z, but its exterior nods to the first Datsun Z-cars, with a long nose and perky rear hatch.
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The Z is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 making 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.
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Hello six-speed. We were recently asked, “Why are manual cars more fun?” We’d suggest you drive one and answer that yourself.
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The Z’s two-tone interior is attractive, but the tactile experience is disappointing.
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In a straight line, the much lighter Nissan just edges the Ford, but in the turns, the Mustang leaves the Z far behind.
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The Mustang Mach 1 is a bit of a parts-bin car, pulling some chassis components and its marvelous six-speed from the GT350. They were good on the Shelby, and they are good here.
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On paper, the Mach 1’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 is far above the Z’s V-6 and makes 480 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.
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The Mach 1’s Handling package includes tires so good they seem like magic and a big wing with a Gurney flap.
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The Ford feels like it could do donuts on a vertical surface, pulling 1.06 g’s on our skidpad.
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Mustang interiors have been slowly improving. The Mach 1 feels old-fashioned but fully functional.
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2023 Nissan Z Performance and 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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2023 Nissan Z Performance and 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and 2023 Nissan Z Performance
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2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and 2023 Nissan Z Performance
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