The 2027 model year brings the Nissan Z its first meaningful update since the car was relaunched in 2023. Design revisions are confined to the Sport and Performance trims, but the range-topping Z NISMO receives a far more consequential change. Three years into its second coming, the high-performance Z NISMO will at last be available with a manual transmission.
Rather than simply transplanting the six-speed manual from the standard Z models, Nissan's NISMO engineers created a new gearbox specific to the NISMO. It features an upgraded clutch compared with the unit found in the Sport and Performance variants.
Shorter shift throws result from revised linkage ratios, and the NISMO's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 has been recalibrated to sharpen throttle response and torque delivery for manual-gearbox-equipped cars. The revised tune doesn't change the power figures, so the NISMO still produces 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque.
Alongside the transmission upgrade, Nissan transplanted the two-piece iron-aluminum brake rotors from the GT-R. These units should offer improved heat management at the track, and they trim 19 pounds from the previous braking setup as an added benefit. To account for the lighter brakes, Nissan also retuned the front suspension calibration and made adjustments to the steering rack to improve feedback at the wheel.
While the Z NISMO's changes are performance-focused, the standard trims receive primarily visual updates. The 2027 Z Sport and Performance get a redesigned front bumper now featuring a "Z" logo rather than the Nissan badge. Revised bumper geometry, updated grille openings, and new internal ducting collectively improve cooling and reduce both aerodynamic lift and drag. Like the rest of Nissan's 2027 lineup, the Z gains a new fan-cooled wireless phone charger to manage heat during charging. A new paint color, Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic, is added to the options list, and all 2027 Z models receive a redesigned fuel tank engineered to maintain consistent fuel delivery under high lateral g-forces on track.
Pricing for the updated Z lineup will be announced closer to its summer sales launch. Nissan will display the full 2027 lineup publicly for the first time at the New York auto show next week.
