The 2027 Nissan Z NISMO Finally Has Three Pedals — And That Changes Everything
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Since the Z NISMO launched for the 2024 model year, one complaint has been louder than everything else: why does the track-focused, 420-horsepower version of Japan's most iconic sports car come with an automatic only?
Nissan just answered that question at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026. The 2027 Fairlady Z NISMO MT is real, it has a 6-speed manual, and it's coming to Japan this summer.
Why This Took So Long — And Why It Matters Now
When the RZ34-generation Z launched, the decision to pair the base Sport and Performance grades with an optional 6-speed manual made sense. But when the NISMO arrived with its 420hp twin-turbo V6, revised suspension, and track-ready tuning — and no manual option — the community made its feelings clear.
The automatic the NISMO shipped with isn't bad. The 9-speed is fast, smooth, and tuned specifically for the NISMO's power output. But that's not the point. The Z is supposed to be the driver's car in Nissan's lineup. Taking away the stick shift from the version built for people who actually want to drive hard was a disconnect the enthusiast community didn't forget.
The NISMO MT fixes it. And Nissan didn't just bolt on a gearbox and call it done — alongside the manual comes revised ECU mapping, updated throttle response calibration, and ignition tuning to sharpen how the engine delivers power to the driver's hands. The whole drivetrain experience is being recalibrated around three pedals.
The GT-R Connection
The detail most people will overlook: the updated Z NISMO inherits braking components derived from the R35 GT-R.
The GT-R is done. Nissan confirmed the R35 ended production, which means those brakes have graduated to the Z. For a car that has always carried the Fairlady Z name in Japan — and the spirit of Nissan's performance lineage — having GT-R DNA in the brake package isn't a small thing. It's Nissan moving the hardware that defined one car's legacy into the next chapter.
New monotube shock absorbers (larger diameter than the outgoing setup) go in across the full range, with NISMO-specific suspension tuning dialed in to keep it usable day-to-day without going soft on track.
What Else Changed on the 2027 Z
The exterior update is subtle but purposeful. The front bumper has been reshaped — vertical slits are gone, replaced by a more sculpted lower section and a body-color crossbar through the grille. Nissan says the new design cuts front lift by 3.3% and reduces drag by 1% over the outgoing car. The rear spoiler was dropped, the Nissan corporate badge was replaced with a standalone Z emblem, and the alloy wheels pick up a new bi-tone finish.
The most talked-about addition for color options is Unryu Green, a new hue that draws directly from the Grand Prix Green that appeared on the original S30 240Z. Paired with a tan interior, it's a heritage callback that doesn't try too hard. If you know, you know.
The NISMO keeps its aggressive widebody kit, red accents, and suede-trimmed black interior. Nothing changed there.
When and Where
Japan launch is scheduled for summer 2026. North American availability for the 2027 Z hasn't been officially confirmed, but Nissan has indicated similar updates are expected to follow for the U.S. market later this year. No pricing has been released outside Japan.
If you've been sitting on a Z purchase waiting for the right spec, the manual NISMO is the version you were waiting for. Whether Nissan brings it stateside at the right price point is the question worth watching.
Follow Inertia Garage for ongoing JDM news and updates as the 2027 Z approaches its U.S. launch window.