A sporty new take on the “Z car” debuts at NY Auto Show next week getting upgrades including a manual gearbox for the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO.
Nissan continues to offer one of the most affordable options in the U.S. sports car market and the Z car gets a welcome update for 2027 model year.
The mid-cycle tweaks give the 2027 Nissan Z a fresher appearance, enhance performance and, for NISMO buyers, there’s a first-time manual transmission option.
“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.
What’s new for 2027
The 2027 Nissan Z NISMO gets a manual for the first time.
Nissan has remained one of the dwindling few automakers to offer a sports car with a manual transmission. But 2027 marks the first time a stick option will be available in the most exotic version of the Z car, the NISMO package.
“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,” said Fioravanti.
Other updates include a revised front end on Z Sport and Performance packages, upgraded shocks and a design change to the fuel tank on all Z models to “maintain consistent performance during aggressive track driving,” Nissan said in a news release on the 2027 model.
Enhanced performance
Z NISMO gets a retuned V-6.
Beyond the tweaks to the 2027 Z’s front bumper and grille, the updates are focused on performance:
- Z Performance models will be fitted with larger-diameter shock absorbers, said Nissan, “to enhance stability and damping capability;
- All models will receive the revised fuel tank, the new design intended to ensure the gas pump pickup doesn’t run dry during high-G cornering, a situation that could cause fuel starvation;
- The Z gets a new, short-throw manual transmission with upgraded clutch specifically designed for the NISMO grade;
- NISMO models also get newly upgraded brakes and clutch, a returned 3.0-liter V-6 meant to improve throttle response and torque delivery, and a retuned suspension. The active noise cancellation system is also recalibrated for the manual package.
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A dwindling market
NISMO’s sport seats.
There’s been speculation the Z car might not be with us for long, Nissan this year ending production of its ultimate sports model, the GT-R. But loyalists can breathe a sigh of relief that the Z will remain in the line-up, at least for now.
Competition is growing more and more scarce, however. This year sees the demise not only of the GT-R but also the Toyota Supra. Toyota continues to offer the GR 86 – also available as the essentially identical Subaru BRZ.
The 2027 Nissan Z will make its public debut early next month at the New York International Auto Show.
“The 2027 Nissan Z reaches Nissan dealerships this summer,” the automaker said, “with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Currently, the base Sport starts at $44,265, including $1,295 in destination fees. The 2026 NISMO package starts at $67,045, including destination fees.
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