2027 Nissan Z Gets Mild Updates, Available Manual Transmission for NISMO Trim
What Car Shoppers Need to Know
- The 2027 Nissan Z two-seat sports car gets several minor styling and performance updates.
- The line-topping NISMO trim gains upgraded front brake rotors and an available six-speed manual transmission; it was previously available only with an automatic.
- The Sport and Performance trims get face-lifted front-end styling, and the Performance gets larger-diameter shock absorbers and redesigned forged 19-inch wheels.
The market for $45,000-$70,000 two-seat sports cars like the Nissan Z is tough. Toyota is throwing in the towel on GR Supra, the Z’s closest competitor, after the 2026 model year, but Nissan is going the never-say-die route: Not only is the Z continuing for the 2027 model year, it’s also getting updated with revisions that cater to enthusiast drivers.
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NISMO Finally Gets a Manual
The Z’s flagship high-performance NISMO trim joined the roster for 2024, boasting track-focused chassis enhancements, distinctive styling and a more powerful 420-horsepower version of the Z’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. However, Nissan made the enthusiast-aggravating decision to offer the NISMO solely with a nine-speed automatic transmission while other Zs were available with either the nine-speed automatic or a six-speed manual at no extra cost.
The NISMO finally gets an available six-speed manual transmission for 2027 in addition to the nine-speed automatic, and Nissan says the shift-it-yourself gearbox has been specially engineered for NISMO duty. Its clutch is upgraded compared to the Sport and Performance trims, and it has a new shift-lever ratio that results in a shorter shift stroke. Nissan also says the NISMO engine’s throttle and ignition timing control have been retuned for the manual transmission, as well as the Active Sound Enhancement and Active Noise Cancellation systems.
The NISMO’s front brakes are upgraded, too; they now use a two-piece iron-aluminum brake rotor derived from the automaker’s recently departed GT-R. Nissan says the new brake rotors deliver improved cooling in track driving and save a total of 19 pounds. The suspension has been retuned to account for this front-end weight reduction, and the steering rack has been revised for reduced internal friction for “a more fluid cornering sensation,” Nissan says.
A newly available Qi2 wireless device charger is offered on NISMO and Performance trims. The charger has a 15-watt maximum output and includes an integrated cooling fan and magnetic alignment to help keep compatible devices properly positioned. All 2027 Zs receive gas-tank design revisions to help maintain consistent fuel delivery during aggressive cornering.
Sport and Performance Updates
The Sport and Performance trims get a mildly restyled front bumper and grille, with a horizontal body-color bar bisecting the grille opening and a “Z” emblem in place of the previous Nissan badge. The NISMO’s unique nose doesn’t receive the same styling updates, but it also gets a new Z emblem.
A heritage-inspired Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic paint color joins the palette for the Sport and Performance, and the Performance adds available tan interior upholstery. The Performance also gets redesigned forged 19-inch wheels with black spokes and a machine-finish rim, as well as larger-diameter monotube shock absorbers that Nissan says improve ride quality and handling performance.
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Pricing and On-Sale Date
The 2027 Nissan Z is slated to arrive in dealerships in the summer; pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date. For reference, the 2026 Nissan Z’s starting prices run from $44,265 for the Sport with either the manual or automatic transmission to $67,045 for the NISMO (all prices include $1,295 destination fee).
The 2027 Nissan Z NISMO with the manual transmission is slated to make its North American debut at the 2026 New York International Auto Show at the end of March.
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