Nissan Z Kaze concept opens up with a retro T-top design

The Nissan Z Kaze concept was unveiled over the weekend at ZCon, an annual gathering run by the Z Car Club Association, which was held this year in Phoenix, Arizona. 

The concept's name derives from the Japanese word for wind, and according to Nissan the Kaze was a passion project executed by a band of product planners and designers, who wanted to capture the wind-the-hair feeling of an "exhilarating drive along California's Pacific Coast Highway on a perfect summer day".

Inspired by 90s tuning culture, the Kaze has a custom-made T-top roof like the one that was standard fit on many 'Z32' 300ZX models sold throughout the 1990s.

Finished in Pacific Teal, the Kaze features a number of call backs to the Japanese tuning scene of that era, include conspicuous fender flares, bonnet vents, and a prominent aero kit.

The bonnet vents and aero parts are made from carbon fibre, and feature the material's distinctive weave pattern.

Naturally the body kit is accompanied by a lower and more aggressive stance thanks a suspension setup featuring many Nismo components.

Remarkably the Kaze rides on original 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 forged multi-piece wheels, with front set measuring 10 inches wide and rear units being 11 inches wide. These wheels have long since gone out of production, so the design team sourced an original set off the used market, and restored and rebuilt them for the concept.

Under the bonnet the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 has been upgraded with a new air-to-air intercooler, Airinx air filter, various components from GReddy, and a Supreme SP exhaust.

No word on whether this has liberated any further kilowatts, but it will no doubt be a louder, brasher affair than the standard Z. 

Inside, the seats, lower dashboard, doors and centre console knee pads have been retrimmed in white leather, while carbon fibre has been used liberally on the touch points along the centre console.

In order to keep the sound system audible even with the roof panels removed, the front seats feature Bose headrest speakers. 

MORE: Explore the Nissan Z showroom