Nissan Bringing Updated Z Car with Nismo Manual to NY Auto Show
Nissan may be struggling these days, but the brand’s still got some fight left as it revealed an updated version of its popular Nissan Z for 2027, including a Nismo model with a six-speed manual transmission.
The return of the manual brings the Z back to its roots and silences critics who have chided the automaker in the past for not offering drivers a chance to clutch their way around town. The new manual is paired with brakes similar to those on the GT-R model for its new 420-horsepower Nismo variant.
“We’ve listened to everything Nissan Z fans and owners have been asking for, and we’re answering the call with the most exhilarating, driver-focused version of the seventh-generation Z yet,” said Marco Fioravanti, vice president, product planning, Nissan U.S. and Canada. “The six-speed manual in Z Nismo was specifically engineered for a pure and focused experience, while targeted handling and braking upgrades give more consistent and more capable track performance.”
The Nismo is joined by the Sport trim and will hit dealership this summer. Pricing on the new model wasn’t released. The current model starts at $42,970 before destination fees while the 2026 Nismo begins at $65,750.
And while the current Nismo is also 420 hp, it is available only as an automatic. The other Z models put out 400 hp and don’t get the upgraded brakes and suspension enjoyed by the Nismo variant. The 2027 Nismo’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 is tuned specifically for the six-speed manual, adjusting the throttle and ignition timing to maximize throttle response and smoother, more consistent torque delivery, officials noted.
A quick look at the 2027 Z reveals the company restyled the front bumper and grille, borrowing from “classic Nissan sports cars.” A body-color bar bisects the car’s grille opening, while a new “Z” emblem replaces the Nissan logo on its nose. Careful shaping of the bumper, grille and internal ducting optimize cooling airflow, while reducing aerodynamic lift and drag, Nissan noted.
In addition, the Z Performance trim gets larger diameter monotube shock absorbers to reduce vibration, providing a smoother ride that helps with handling performance. All versions of the new Z feature a redesigned fuel tank that helps maintain fuel levels around the fuel pump during aggressive high-G cornering, ensuring consistent and sustained power during those maneuvers.
Nissan’s offering the Z in a new color this year: Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic, which is paired exclusively with a Super Black roof. Nissan claims the inspiration for the new hue is the classic S30-generation Nissan Z sports car.
[Images: Nissan]
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Michael Strong has spent more than 25 years writing about the automotive industry. A Detroit-area native, he’s written about everything from local car shows to product reviews to financial news. Currently he writes and edits for a variety of national and local publications. He’s also a longtime member of the Automotive Press Association and the International Motor Press Association, and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Hail Southern! Despite a love for ’70s land yachts and BMWs from the late ’80s and early ’90s, his personal vehicle is neither of those.
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There are 2 Nismo products available - the Z and the Armada. Hey Nissan product planning.... silly question. Since people inexplicably love SUVs, why not offer Nismo in the Rogue? You could even go hog wild and offer it in the Sentra, but you have to give people a reason to pony up for it and you can't paywall it as though it's some M car because it's not.
Didn't Nissan just announce that all Zs are going to be limited production? So they're gonna make like 5 of these?