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Ohkoshi joined the Nissan design team in 1997. Notable past projects in his portfolio include the 2009 INFINITI QX60 and the 2012 QX80. Yamashita is a newer member of the Nissan global design team, coming on board just four years ago.
Q: In previous Z-ness stories, we’ve learned about some of the influences the original Z (S30) and other past models have had on the Z’s design. As the designers responsible for the overall look of the all-new Z, inside and out, what are your thoughts?
Ohkoshi: I thought that the latest Z should have an appearance that made anyone looking at it and say, “It’s a Z!” And, if you study past models, the design DNA of the original Z (S30) has been noticeably implemented in other generations of Zs as well. For example, the shape of the side window in the current 370Z. This is a form of paying respect and, I therefore feel that the Z’s side-window graphics pays homage to both the original Z and the 370Z.
Yamashita: For the interior, one design cue that was inspired by the S30 Z was what we call the “reverse slant.” This refers to the top of the centre dash where the air vents are located. The angle here goes in the opposite direction of the bottom portion of the dash, hence the name. What this does is it reduces the “visual noise” in the driver’s line of sight, resulting in an interior where the driver feels safe and secure even while traveling at high speeds.
Q: Which past Zs are your personal favourites?
Ohkoshi: I must say the very first Z, the S30, but I also like the Z32. When I was about three-years old, my father brought home a Nissan catalogue. There was a yellow Z on the cover, I think it was an S30, actually. From then on, I started drawing cars, it was like a switch. When the 300ZX (Z32) came out, I was still in school. I remember being floored at the thought that such a design could come from Japan.
Yamashita: When I was young, my father drove a Z31 (300ZX), and I have been a fan of the Z ever since. My drive to become an automotive designer was most likely due to the influence of my father and the Z. He also drove a Kenmeri Skyline (C110), but it was the Z I remember the most fondly. So, if you were to ask me which was my favourite Z, I would have to say it’s a tie between the S30 and Z31.
Q: Looking back on your work, what element on the Z are you most proud of?
Ohkoshi: I feel that the rear end looks fantastic. It highlights the car’s slope-backed roofline and creates a solid stance, giving a romantic image that’s reminiscent of the S30, while still appearing very modern. It was quite a battle to pull this off, shedding and shifting millimetres. but, as I said, when you see it, you can’t help but say, “That’s a Z. No question.”
Yamashita: I’m particularly fond of the view of the dashboard and instrument panel from the passenger side. The top of the dashboard in front of the driver is shaped in a way that invites the flowing shape of the long hood directly into the cockpit. It’s kind of a hidden design that we unconsciously register but it provides a portal between the exterior and interior. It also highlights the unique cross-section of the dash.
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Please Note: The details of this article were accurate at the time it was written. Manufacturers may change the details of any vehicle’s specifications, at any time, without notice.
