Cutting-Edge Trans-Global”: ZNA’s “Tough New Player” Z9 Officially Off-Line Ceremony

On January 8th, the grand ceremony for the rollout of ZNA’s first Z9 model was held at the Zhongmu plant of Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd. The Z9, a new strategic model dubbed the “Tough New Player”, officially rolled off the production line, accompanied by the unveiling of the brand-new“ Global Multi-Purpose Off-Road Platform.”This milestone represents a significant leap in ZNA’s independent R&D capabilities and underscores the company’s strategic shift towards off-road vehicles, electrification, and global expansion.

Leaders Witness the First Z9 Rolling Off the Line.

At the event, Mr. Hu Jun, Vice Mayor of Zhengzhou, congratulated Zhengzhou Nissan on the successful rollout of the Z9. He emphasized that the Z9 is a testament to the company’s achievements in technological innovation and product advancement, delivering high-quality pickups to the automotive market and driving the high-quality development of Zhengzhou’s automotive industry.

Mr. Hu Jun, Vice Mayor of Zhengzhou, addressed the audience, emphasizing the significance of the Z9 rollout. He praised the Z9 as a groundbreaking achievement in technological innovation and product development, highlighting its role in elevating the quality of pickups in the automotive market and accelerating the high-quality growth of Zhengzhou’s automotive industry.

Nissan China Management Committee Chairman and President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., Mr. Ma Zhixin (Stephen Ma), Delivers a Speech Mr. Ma Zhixin, Chairman of the Nissan China Management Committee and President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd., underscored the Z9’s strategic importance. He noted that the Z9 is a meticulously crafted vehicle designed for both domestic and global markets, addressing a critical gap for Nissan in the premium pickup and off-road segments. Mr. Ma reaffirmed Nissan and Dongfeng Motor’s unwavering commitment to supporting ZNA’s growth, strengthening its position in the Chinese market while expanding its global presence.

Z9-A Steel Knight for the New Generation of Off-Road Enthusiasts

Positioned as the “Tough New Player”, the Z9 stands as the flagship product of ZNA’s transformation and the inaugural model in Dongfeng’s Z series. Built on ZNA’s legacy of rugged durability and the advanced Global Multi-Terrain Off-Road Platform, the Z9 combines intelligent off-road capabilities with lifestyle comfort, redefining the pickup experience for a new generation of drivers. Inspired by the letter “z”, the Z9’s design embraces the all-new “Z-Vision” design language. The “Z” symbolizes the initials of ZNA while embodying the principles of “zippy” (agility), “zing” (vitality), and “zenith ” (pinnacle). With its bold, dynamic, and vibrant aesthetic, the Z9 captures the essence of tough beauty, setting a new standard in the off-road vehicle segment.

The 'Z-shaped headlights’ serve as the finishing touch, bringing this steel knight to life. The 'Armor Shield' front grille, featuring an intersecting Z-pattern, exudes reliability and vitality while creating a mysterious and commanding presence. The blade-shaped trim, seamless body lines, and upward-curved tail design give the Z9 a distinctive and dynamic appearance. The robust and upright Z-shaped body highlights its fierce, rugged personality.

The interior is designed with a focus on "cutting-edge technological aesthetics," pushing minimalist style to its limits. The mecha-inspired seat lines are sleek and stylish, reminiscent of a knight’s armor. With a class-leading body size of 5520mm x 1960mm x 1950mm and a panoramic sunroof, the Z9 delivers a spacious, comfortable, and technology-infused driving experience.

A True Player in Off-Road Performance: Beyond its striking design, the Z9 excels in power, off-road capabilities, and safety, ensuring every journey over mountains and through valleys is exhilarating. The fuel-powered Z9 delivers a maximum torque of 500 Nm and a maximum power output of 140 kW. It can accelerate from 0 to 40 km/h in just 3.4 seconds when fully loaded, effortlessly conquering all terrains. The Z9 boasts a climbing capability of up to a 100% gradient, delivering exceptional off-road performance and overcoming obstacles with ease. Its spacious dimensions, combined with top-tier safety features, make the Z9 an ideal choice for the new generation of off-road enthusiasts, offering a fresh and rugged off-road experience.

To enable off-road veterans to get their hands on this steel knight, pre-sales of the Z9 will begin in February, with an official launch scheduled for March. A hybrid version of the Z9 will also be introduced at a later stage.

Born to Lead: New Platform Showcases Four Super Capabilities

As the cradle of the Z9, ZNA’s first proprietary “Global Multi-Terrain Off-Road Platform”took center stage during the event, showcasing its four exceptional capabilities.  

The‘Global Multi-Terrain Off-Road Platform’ embodies our vision for this innovative foundation”,said Yao Liwen, Party Committee Secretary of Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd. “The platform is globally oriented, enabling synchronized planning, design, and R&D for fuel, electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in a single step. This groundbreaking achievement represents not only a first in China’s pickup truck industry but also a pioneering effort on a global scale.

Yao Liwen, Secretary of the Party Committee of Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd., provided a comprehensive overview of the Z9 vehicle development platform:  

"Three Years of Innovation: A Platform of Unmatched Strength. ZNA assembled a team of over 1,000 R&D experts to address 17 core technologies spanning platformization, electrification, and intelligence. The result is a platform characterized by 'Super Power, Super Off-Road, Super Driving Ease, and Super Safety,' positioning it as a leading contender in the off-road sector."  

Super Power: A Perfect Balance of Performance and Efficiency. Yao Liwen, Secretary of the Party Committee of Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd., provided a comprehensive overview of the Z9 vehicle development platform:

"Three Years of Innovation: A Platform of Unmatched Strength. ZNA assembled a team of over 1,000 R&D experts to address 17 core technologies spanning platformization, electrification, and intelligence. The result is a platform characterized by 'Super Power, Super Off-Road, Super Driving Ease, and Super Safety,' positioning it as a leading contender in the off-road sector."  

Super Off-Road:Designed to Conquer All Terrains Off-road capability lies at the core of the platform, featuring an approach angle of 36°,a departure angle of 37°, a minimum ground clearance of 270 mm, and a turning diameter of just 13.5 meters. It can tackle slopes with gradients of up to 100% and wade through water depths exceeding 900 mm.

Equipped with advanced features such as a central differential lock, front axle differential lock, rear axle differential lock, tank turns, and over 12 off-road modes, the platform delivers seamless performance across the most challenging terrains, from rugged crater-filled trails to expansive desert dunes. BorgWarner's latest MLOCK intelligent transfer case amplifies torque up to three times, ensuring dominance in all conditions. With both part-time and full-time 4WD options, the platform unleashes unparalleled off-road capability and passion.  Super Driving Ease: Comfort Meets Precision

The platform’s advanced suspension system, combining front double wishbones, a rear five-link solid axle, and large tires, ensures world-class stability. Vehicle roll rigidity is enhanced by 25%, maintaining composure even during emergency lane changes at speeds above 120 km/h.

To validate its durability, the platform successfully endured 200,000 km of rigorous testing under harsh road conditions in Qinghai’s Mangya region. Its SUV-level vibration damping highlights the sophistication of its engineering. The EEA 3.0 integrated electronic architecture enables seamless OTA updates and supports 28 intelligent driving features, achieving L2+ autonomous driving capability. Its smart cabin rivals mainstream passenger vehicles in both comfort and technological innovation.

Super Safety: A Fortress of Protection. Meeting C-NCAP five-star safety standards, the platform utilizes ultra-high-strength steel for 97% of the frame and 70% of the body, achieving torsional rigidity of over 4,000 Nm/deg for the frame and 20,000 Nm/deg for the body. Global durability testing across 1.2 billion kilometers ensures consistent performance under extreme conditions, including harsh western terrains and coastal saline roads.  

A New Journey: “Cutting-Edge Trans-Global”

As a pioneer in China’s pickup truck industry, ZNA has excelled in the segment for 32 years, with iconic models such as the D22, Navara, Paladin, and Rich series. Today, amid the rise of intelligent and electrified manufacturing, the company is redefining pickup truck production through platform-based design, guided by the dual-brand strategy of Dongfeng and Nissan.  

The simultaneous launch of the Z9 and the Global Multi-Terrain Off-Road Platform marks a significant milestone for ZNA, signaling its strategic shift toward off-road vehicles, electrification, and global expansion.

On the day of the event, media representatives, community groups, and user representatives from across the country toured the new final assembly workshop.

The Z9 is manufactured on the world’s first flexible production line, capable of producing one vehicle every two minutes. This state-of-the-art facility, characterized by its intelligence, automation, and digitalization, ensures meticulous quality control, adhering to Nissan’s latest AVES evaluation standards. Vehicle quality is assessed using over 1,600 criteria, aligning with Nissan’s global benchmarks.

As the first joint venture vehicle manufacturer for Nissan in China, ZNA is harnessing the strengths of its shareholders: Dongfeng’s leadership in new energy technologies and Nissan’s global expertise in manufacturing and quality assurance.

Looking ahead, the company will leverage the versatility of the Global Multi-Terrain Off-Road Platform to develop a diverse range of vehicles, including fuel-powered, plug-in hybrid, pure electric, and extended-range models, catering to various market segments. ZNA is committed to becoming the top choice for pickup enthusiasts worldwide, forging a new legacy in rugged off-road performance!