Zenshi Automotive Japan - ゼンシ

[Grandea]

2017-Present Nimessa (6th Generation, XUN63), 2018 Release

The 6th generation Nimessa was revealed in December 2016 and later released in Japan in February of 2017 as the newest version of Zenshi’s well-known FWD compact car. Formulated around the “Shinka” design, the Nimessa caught the attention of many people, possessing sporty looks that gave it a more aggressive tone compared to the UN53.

The car earlier was teased again for the 2018 Japanese market towards the end of 2017, and now, will be released later this week, with worldwide models coming within the next month for the 2018 (2019 in US) model year.

For 2018, the Nimessa was given a new colour to it’s array of choices: Ultraviolet Pearl, which is similar to the purple that was showcased in the teaser for the 2017MY Nimessa.
Inside, the interior was revised somewhat to improve ergonomics without sacrificing the high-edge design it had. The AIGCS was revised to fit the more modern times of digital/analog gauge setups, and the infotainment system is now replaced with a new unit co-developed by Fujitsu which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

Under the hood, the 104 HP 1.3L YI13 Inline-3 engine was replaced with the 126 HP QS15GDA 1.5L Inline-4 as the Nimessa’s base engine. The 2.0L QS20GDA motor remains, but now can crank out 175 HP.

The 6-Speed Manual still remains a choice for all trims to have, as well as the 6-Speed AvanTec transmission.

From the rear, the taillights have been improved for GTS models, now utilizing full LED lighting to give a more high-tech look compared to last year.
As for personalization potential, Zenshi has confirmed that many options are now available for the 2018MY Nimessa, ranging from badges to design sets, to ground effects, coming from both Zenshi in general and ZMD. 2017 model year Nimessas would be able to get these as well.

Just like before, the 2018 Nimessa will come in 3 trims, G, GT, and GTS, with the GT and GTS trims having a choice between the 1.5L and the 2.0L.

The Nimessa Penta 5-Door Hatchback will make its way to the showroom floor very soon, and when asked about the Newman R, Zenshi responded by saying that “there’s always room for improvement.”

[Grandea]

Take the outside route. The 2018 X Star is now available in Japan and Europe.

[Grandea]

The Nimessa Newman R returns to the sales floor in Japan in the 2018 model year.

The Nimessa Newman R in its initial release last year had an optional package known as the M Package, which added some premium features inside. For the 2018 model year, Zenshi split the Newman R into two different styles: Type S and Type M, with the Type M being the M Package, but with a lot more added features.

The IA25GDAT 2.5L Inline-6 motor was tweaked a slight bit, now having a 10 HP increase over the original 400 HP. The brakes used for the 2018MY are now ventilated disc brakes, where the carbon ceramic brakes that the 2017 model formerly used stock is now an option within the track package plus.

[Grandea]

Zenshi X Star (2nd Generation, XXN55) 2018-

The XN55 X Star was made available to the public in January 2018 in Japan and Europe, with an American market release date projected to be sometime in the middle of February.

Like the previous generation, the new X Star shares the same platform as the N55 Kamata, a RWD-based platform.

The X Star could be seen as flexible, as it can off road with complete ease, and as expected with a Zenshi, possessed very athletic handling on the road as well.

Under the hood, the X Star can be had with either the 215 HP QS25GDA 2.5L Inline 4, or the 320 HP turbocharged variant, the QS25GDAT. Only the base GT-25 will have manual transmission as standard, but Zenshi might consider adding it to the other trims if customer demands become strong enough.

[Grandea]

Timeless Wonder.

[squidhead]

This is looking extremely classy and sexy! Keep it up

[Hshan]

What is that plate under the text?

[SideswipeBL]

Gas cap it seems

[Grandea]

Gas cap. Currently, save for the badge template, it’s the only thing you can put the letters on.

[SideswipeBL]

You mean like anything else would overwrite the text or you can actually type onto those fixtures?

[Grandea]

no, I mean putting the letter badges on them. any other fixture would overlap those badges.

[Grandea]

Zenshi SF C '18

The SF C is a coupe variant of the SF roadster that was released in 2017.

Aside from the disability to retract a roof, the SF C is basically an SF for those who don’t want to bother with a Roadster. If one was to put the SF and SF C side by side, one may notice that the coupe itself is slightly different from the roadster. Barring the roof, the C possessed a slightly more aggressive look from both the front and the rear, such as a different design for the central exhaust exit and the side vents from the front.

Under the hood is a choice between the naturally aspirated CF15-GDA 1.5L Inline 4, which has a high compression ratio and cranks 146 HP, and the turbocharged version, the CF15-GDAT, which makes over 40 more HP, at 187. Both engines have a 6-Speed Manual standard and the option to use a 6-Speed AvanTec transmission.

Because it is a coupe, the lack of folding mechanics for a convertible allows for the SF C to be considerably lighter that its roadster counterpart, weighing in at 898 kg compared to the original 1033 kg. While it is no longer a roadster for one to feel the wind freely with, it still retains its “small fun” quality.

the 2018 SF will also mark the appearance of the Sport Plus trim for both models. This trim replaces the bucket seats with that of BRIDE ones, and installs a couple of official ZMD goodies, such as a short throw shifter, STB, and exhaust system.

[Hshan]

@Grandea

front bucket seats

Don’t tell me that there are rear ones

[MelikTheHedgehog]

That is a Magnificent Masterpiece! Nicely done 🖒

[Grandea]

Taiko Duty Truck, 1957-1965

Taiko was created in 1957, serving as Zenshi’s (at the time NSJK) utility division, creating trucks, buses, and other various utility vehicles.

Taiko’s logo as of 2010.

Within the same year, NSJK then developed their first Taiko, the Duty Truck.

The Taiko Duty Truck was your standard-affair two-door, three-seater pickup with a separate rear well body, which allowed for a varying degree of modularity for NSJK to develop on, such as creating a van, or an ambulance.

The Duty Truck was a rather simple utility vehicle, while containing a variety of uses, still remained to be considerably easy for many people to use during the time. The format used to build the pickup wasn’t a rare sight either, which allowed for less complex maintenance and development for both NSJK and other companies that used the Duty Truck as a corporate vehicle.

The first variant of the Duty Truck series, shown here is simply known as the “Taiko 1400.” The 1400 denotes that the truck is capable of utilizing almost 1400 kg as cargo (1380 kg to be exact). Later models eventually progressed from 1400 to 1450, to eventually 1500.

Under the hood contained an engine that NSJK described as a “light duty engine.” It was a cast iron 2V 1.4L Inline 4 that pushed out an adequate 55 HP and 77 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options were mostly limited to a 4-Speed manual, although 2-Speed Auto versions were available as well, today they are a considerably rare sight.

With how cheap and reliable it was, the Duty Truck was a solid choice for people who needed to haul things on the go and with no hassle, and showed the people of Japan that NSJK, under the Taiko subdivision, that they were fully capable of developing a formidable utility vehicle for the public and businesses to put into good use.

Eventually, the Duty Truck ended production in 1965, replaced by the Zenshi Taiko TDF.

[DeusExMackia]

Review: 2019 Zenshi GT 4.8 S

“It might not be wearing a Tom Ford suit, but it’s wearing a suit nontheless”

Japanese luxury cars hold a special place in my heart, especially when they’re made by ‘normal’, non-premium brands. You get all the benefits of owning a high end vehicle with almost none of the badge snob. It’s why the Zenshi GT has been on my list of ‘good cars’ for a long time, and now, in the 50th year of the marque, we’ve got a brand new one.

It’s edgier than before, perhaps too much for its own good at the rear, where the top half is decidedly clean cut and good looking, while the bottom half is messy. My rule with good GT cars is that they have to be understated and that rear splittler thing is not understated. Zenshi at providing that characteristic sporty Japanese look, but it feels out of place here.

The front is far more convincing, taking on the crispness of those tail lights and creating an incredibly engaging and well styled face. Time to head inside, where you’ll find the classic leather clad interior in a 2+2 configuration. The infotainment feels a bit tacky for a premium car, but the low price of this car can probably just about excuse that. Just.

And it is worth mentioning at this point how affordable even this top of the range 4.8 S trim is; at $47,550 it undercuts much of the competition almost by half. Other GT coupe offerings will offer the whole hog in terms of luxury interiors and outstanding comfort, but if this car can convince me that it can provide a GT-lite feel, that cost will be justified in my eyes.

On the road and it feels smooth and pliable. The 4.8l V8 had plenty of mid range torque and is responsive, and 0-60 in 4.4 seconds is bang on in my mind for such a car, and the ease of that power delivery is worth merit. It’s a delightful car to cruise in too, favouring that nice 40-60 band that you’ll likely find yourself in on a sunday drive in this thing. I’m not convinced about having a manual in this car though. Go for the option of an automatic or sequential option, or you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’re in a sports car.

In the corners, its very nice too. Not too soft, not too hard, and turning off the traction control will let you get the rear end loose. It’s also pleasant to find a suspension setup such as thing: active dampers and semi-active sway bars retain that solid impression of analogue feel while still giving you difference between setups for harder and softer driving. It simplicity is also pleasant too.

Pleasant, yes. That’s the word with this car. It’s not quite a proper GT car - just to be snobbish - but it certainly convinces you nonetheless. As a premium coupe, treating it as something more of an all-rounder, it’s absolutely bang on. I couldn’t stop thinking of how pleasant it was to be in and to drive whilst testing it.

There are no glaring flaws save for the pointless rear diffuser, and if we’re judging this as a proper GT car, then the interior simply isn’t up to spec. But as a $50k coupe, I really struggle to think what more you could ask for. Especially with that lovely V8 powerplant upfront, it feels oddly unique and almost special. Perhaps that’s its other flaw then; it doesn’t really have a character, mainly because I feel its a bit too confused about that.

Quick, comfortable and good looking (at least at the front). Compared to similarly priced rivals like the Shromet Dragon and Cavallera Okuma (see here for the low-down on those two), it’s the better car overall. Certainly a GT lite, but more than anything else, a solid premium performance coupe.

- Gavin Anderson

[Grandea]

Flow with the wind. The 2019 GT, also available in convertible form.

[Grandea]

Zenshi reveals new infotainment system to be utilized in upcoming models

Zenshi and Fujitsu Ten co-developed an infotainment system that will be used in upcoming Zenshi models, first applied on the 2019 Altrea.

JDM variant (top) and USDMvariant (bottom). Main differences being the swapped VOL and TUNE dials, as well as the inclusion of an HD Radio logo on the upper right.

The infotainment system was designed to be accessible for both touchscreen users and button users alike.

Boot Screen

Disclaimer. Please focus on the road, fellow drivers.

The menu screen. The menu can be configured to choose what apps and shortcuts you want to easily access.

The audio screen showcasing the AM/FM function. For touchscreen controls, tapping the “+” located in between the tuning buttons opens up the fine-tuning control, shown in the second image.

Ditto, showing the bluetooth function.

Navigation system

A sample of the theme settings on the infotainment unit, such as outer dial colours, wallpaper, screen colour, sound effects, etc.

Expect the new infotainment unit to make an English appearance in the upcoming auto show.

[abg7]

If I am not mistaken this is the first time I have seen someone show off their latest infotainment suite on these forums. And not only does it look ace, it should work very well in practice.

[Grandea]

Zenshi to replace 3.0L Turbocharged I6 for larger naturally-aspirated 3.4L I6 for 2019 Altrea, future models possible

Zenshi has decided to drop the option for the 3.0L Turbocharged I6 they have used on the Altrea since 2013 in favour for their newly-developed addition to the LZ series, the LZ8. Compared to the LZ7’s large 3.7L displacement, the LZ8 is slightly smaller, at 3.4L, and as mentioned before, is set up with a naturally aspirated getup. Power ratings are reported to be around 320 HP, and can accept lower grade gasoline for other markets at the cost of less power.

The new technology invested on the engine has led to a super responsive and considerably efficient engine, and for people out there eager to see how it performs, will see it as the high-grade engine option for the 2019 Altrea coming out soon. As for future Zenshi models, it has been yet to be confirmed.