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In Talks With Shinichiro Irie - Program Designer Director of Nissan Z Proto
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In Talks With Shinichiro Irie - Program Designer Director of Nissan Z Proto

·
May 4,2021
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6 min read

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Nissan Z

In our ongoing series, The Essence of Z-ness, we first heard from Chief Product Specialist Hiroshi Tamura on what Z-ness means to him and the legacy of Z around the world. In this second installment, we talk with Shinichiro Irie, the Program Design Director of the Z Proto, to ask him what he thought were the qualities that defined the Z Proto, what to look forward to with the next Z, and to give insight into what exactly went into the thought process of the Z styling, from pen and paper to reality.

As for a brief background, Irie joined Nissan’s Design Department in 1993 after graduating from the Tokyo University of Art. In 1997 he became a Senior Designer and in 2001 joined Nissan’s Creative Box, a satellite studio located in Harajuku, the center of youth fashion in Tokyo. There, he concentrated on the design development of trendsetting concept cars. In 2013, he became a Design Director of Nissan and Infiniti brands at Nissan Design America and, in 2016, was named Program Design Director at the company’s Global Design Center in Japan.

Q: We would like to begin with the basic question: “What is Z-ness?” to you?

Irie: I think that the styling of the Z is a symbol for Nissan that embodies the company’s philosophy. We aimed to make it something that appeals to all, something for people to fall in love with at first glance. Z-ness is also something that, as soon as you get in, provides driving pleasure with its excellent handling and power. And of course, the Z is a car that takes tradition and combines it with modern technology; blending both in a balanced way that feels fresh but still has Z DNA at its core. That, to me, is the essence of Z-ness.

Q: In terms of design, what gives the Z Proto its Z-ness?

Irie: The Z has a rich history and possesses many iconic elements. Take the headlamps for example. On the original 240Z (S30), when the headlamps illuminate through the outer lens, they created a unique exterior reflection. We employed this shape and infused it with modern technology to create the new Z’s headlamp signature that’s both modern and familiar.

The styling of the rear combination lamps is another example. Although many have likened it to the Z32’s, in fact, the original Fairlady Z and other past Zs had a similar design. Like the headlamps, we designed the rear lights with our heritage in mind but used a new approach that resulted in this powerful, iconic motif.

Another unique element is the silver accent that enhances the car’s roofline. In the studio, we refer to this as the katana, as it shares a similar shape to the traditional Japanese sword. The Z Proto features a two-tone paint scheme with a black roof, and the accent draws the eye, creating a very “Z-esque” silhouette that slopes down from front to rear. The accent also won’t lose its effect in monotone or lighter paint schemes.

Q: What is the Z’s role in the Nissan lineup?

Irie: Of course, the Z is an icon to car enthusiasts around the world, but I think that one of its main roles has been to awaken the passion in all of us at Nissan. The passion from within makes the Z a one-of-a-kind entity at Nissan, providing inspiration for all of us.

Also, in this era where we’re creating vehicles for the electrification era—notably our cutting-edge EV, the Ariya—I feel it’s important to have vehicles positioned across our lineup. That’s why I think it’s essential that the Z has its own unique and cherished specifications, including a manual transmission, something our customers expect and appreciate. Therefore, in our Nissan NEXT transformation plan, the “A” symbolizes the Ariya, and the Z appropriately represents “Z.”

You might also be interested in: All New Nissan Z Leaked Ahead of International Debut

Q: The character line of the Z seems to play a major role in the car’s styling. What does it do?

Irie: To position, this character line was truly like threading a needle. We’re talking about pinpointing it in the space of less than 1 mm. Because the new Z has an FR layout (front-engine/rear-drive), the character line conveys the transference of power from the engine to the road, moving the design’s energy from the front of the body to the rear fenders, wheels, and tires. If you look closely, the line vanishes around the door handle. The reason for this is, like a drawn bow, the line pauses to collect its power before dispersing it to the rear of the car. To me, this single character line expresses the soul of Z.

Q: What is your history with the Z? What have been your standout memories and experiences?

Irie: To be honest, growing up in the supercar era, I didn’t have much interest in Japanese cars. But the reason that I decided to join Nissan as a designer was largely due to the Z32 (300ZX). While I was still a student, I spotted one driving around town. I still remember the utter amazement that I felt when I first laid on eyes on it. This was something that I had not experienced since first seeing a supercar. And when I discovered that the car was manufactured by a domestic company, I was amazed again! The Z32 featured a low body, lower than those of other sports cars of its day, and I never imagined that a Japanese company could create something with such iconic styling. Actually, I’ve been sketching sports cars for fun since I was a child. Even before I laid eyes on the Z32, I sketched cars that looked like the original Fairlady Z (240Z). I loved drawing cars with very unique appearances like the Z. At school, my teacher often told me off for it in class. I guess you could say I was just preparing for my future!

Q: How would you like the Z to be ultimately received?

Irie: The design theme of the new Z is the fusion of traditional and modern technologies. My wish is that the Z satisfies all enthusiasts, and they will continue to love the Z. Also, by inheriting the Nissan sports car spirit, I hope the new Z will be nurtured by everyone in the years to come.

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