After weeks of ambiguous teasers, Kawasaki has revealed exactly which brand-new supercharged model will be making its world premiere at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show – the Kawasaki Z H2.
The Japanese firm first dropped hints in September that a new Z supercharged member of the Kawasaki family was on the way, which gave rise to several different options that could be considered.
This was narrowed down last week when a second video dropped last week that appeared to show more traits aligned with the ‘hyper’ H2 side of the range, plus the fleeting glimpse of the engine from the H2 and H2SX.
Now Kawasaki has officially revealed the nameplate – albeit no more details or anything more than an emerald silhouette – and which date it will be revealed; October 23, which coincides with the start of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.
“October 23 will be a landmark day in the history of the Kawasaki Z family,” reads the slogan. “Everything preceding will be consigned to the past and a new dramatic Z will herald an eagerly anticipated dawn in the hard fought supernaked category. Z H2 Supercharge”
Colour us intrigued.
What can we expect from the Kawasaki Z H2?
Typically, there isn’t a huge amount to go on from the teaser trailer, though we’re impressed by the production values with its Star Trek-style Borg-like graphics and Dolby surround style droning audio – be sure to watch with volume up for full effect.
For now the Z1000 sits as flagship of Kawasaki’s supernaked range with its 142HP, so there is certainly room for a motorcycle wearing the Z H2 moniker with greater power that sits above it, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it kicks out the same 231PS at 11,500rpm in this form to nestle neatly amongst its hypersport namesakes.
What we are confident of, however, is an aggressive look incorporating Kawasaki’s latest design language which has been steadily rolled out across the rest of the range, but likely cranked up further in true H2 style with a more sporting poise and eye-catching detailing.
While we can’t know for certain until the wraps are fully revealed, the Kawasaki Z H2 super naked appears to have the soon-to-be-revealed Ducati Streetfighter V4 firmly in its sights… which is expected to be revealed on the exactly the same day at Ducati’s 2020 Model Line-up World Premiere.
Game right on!
