There is a complete hierarchy of performance cars that is indicated by the colors of brake calipers.
Nissan
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Car enthusiasts with a discerning eye can often identify a high-performance model from a distance. Sometimes the differences are quite apparent; for instance, the wing on an STI compared to a standard Subaru WRX is a clear example. At other times, the distinctions can be more nuanced. (I adore hot hatchbacks, but even I have to look closely to determine if I’m seeing a VW Golf R or GTI at first glance.) However, automakers are developing a trend that simplifies the process of distinguishing fast cars from slower ones: Brake caliper color.
Nissan has been employing this strategy for a while now. On its standard vehicles—like the Rogue, Sentra, or the now-discontinued Altima—the brake calipers are painted silver. Even the base version of the Z features silver calipers. Upgrade to the Z Performance package, and you’ll find red paint on the Akebono four-piston front and two-piston rear calipers. This same color can also be seen on the Armada Nismo, a vehicle that may seem trivial but actually performs much better than anticipated.
Furthermore, the even more performance-oriented Nissan Z Nismo boasts bright red Akebono calipers. This model generates 420 horsepower, which is 20 hp more than the standard Z, and features two-piece iron-aluminum rotors inherited from the R35 GT-R. While it may be difficult to convey these distinctions from a distance, the unique caliper color certainly aids in this regard.
There’s a clear hierarchy at play here.
If a Nissan is equipped with Brembo brakes, it showcases gold calipers. Remember the R34 GT-R? It sported them starting from 1999. The R35 also had them when it debuted in North America in 2008. However, the most extreme Nissans with carbon-ceramic brakes feature yellow calipers, with the sole exception being the 2023 Z Proto Spec, which had yellow calipers but did not include carbon-ceramics.
This trend isn't limited to Nissan alone. Rivian, for instance, uses silver brake calipers on its dual-motor electric vehicles, while the tri-motor variants come with yellow calipers. The top-tier quad-motor models are equipped with blue calipers, and soon, the RAD performance variants will adopt this color scheme as well.
I’m sure other manufacturers are implementing similar practices too.
How else are you supposed to differentiate these models?
Of course, there’s nothing preventing anyone from painting the calipers on their base model to mimic a higher-end version. I once saw that done on a Nissan, although they also painted the rotors, and that… didn’t turn out well.
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There is a complete hierarchy of performance cars that is indicated by the colors of brake calipers.
It can be challenging to tell apart a standard Nissan Z from a Z Performance model without checking the window sticker, but there are indicators.