One letter, and lots of fun.

That’s a simple way to describe the enthusiast-focused Z line from Nissan.

This sporty, old-school, rear-wheel drive coupe with 2 doors, 2 seats and a whole lot of power under the hood, is one that continues to impress.

After a redesign in 2023, the 2024 lineup adds the more powerful NISMO trim level, which I was recently able to experience.

And it’s definitely a memorable experience, with the Z NISMO offering a fun and fast, racetrack-ready vehicle for driving enthusiasts, highlighted by aerodynamic upgrades and booming power.

Its sports car competition is plentiful — from classics like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Corvette, to the newer Toyota GR Supra and more upscale offerings from BMW and Porsche — but the Z brings an attractive design and powerful performance that can handle the competition, and costs much less.

DEARBORN, MI — Ford Performance has unveiled the new Mustang for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series based on the Mustang Dark Horse. After a busy year of Mustang racing news, this 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Mustang is the icing on the cake for the full family of performance Mustang cars.

Based on the seventh-generation Mustang, this Dark Horse version adds to the impressive lineup of racing Mustangs, and means that starting in 2024, Mustang will be eligible to race on six continents.

“What a crazy year it has been revealing our new global Mustangs for racing. The positive response from our fans around the world has been amazing, and we’re confident that this Mustang Dark Horse Cup car will be no different and that NASCAR fans will be excited to cheer us on next year,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “Our Ford Performance staff, together with our NASCAR race teams, have worked tirelessly in the wind tunnel developing this car, and I can’t wait to finally see it race on the track next season.”

Ford unveiled the all-new Mustang Dark Horse just over a year ago, marking the first new performance nameplate for Mustang since 2001. It is the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever and has inspired the current roster of Mustang cars that started racing this year in the Repco Supercars Championship in Australia and Formula Drift series.