2027 Nissan Z NISMO MT
By Lorenzo Bianchi July 24, 2026
Nissan introduces a six-speed manual transmission for the Z NISMO following customer demand.
GT-R-derived brake rotors reduce unsprung weight while improving cooling for track driving.
Sport and Performance grades receive heritage-inspired styling updates and revised chassis tuning.
A manual transmission and performance enhancements for Z NISMO
The biggest change to the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO MT isn't something you notice from across a parking lot. It happens the moment you reach for the gear lever.
After years of requests from enthusiasts, Nissan has finally paired its most focused Z with a six-speed manual transmission. Until now, buyers wanting the sharper NISMO package had to settle for an automatic. For 2027, that's no longer the case. The manual joins the lineup at the same price as the nine-speed automatic, giving drivers the freedom to choose whichever transmission better suits the way they like to drive.
Built Around Driver Feedback
The manual gearbox isn't simply carried over from another version of the Z.
Nissan says the NISMO model receives a short-throw shifter and an upgraded clutch, changes intended to match the coupe's more focused character. It's a small update on paper, but one that many Z fans have been waiting to see since the current generation arrived.
Track capability also gets attention. Every 2027 Z NISMO now comes with two-piece iron-aluminium brake rotors derived from the Nissan GT-R. Besides increasing thermal capacity for repeated hard braking, the new setup trims 19 pounds of unsprung weight, while revised cooling channels help keep rotor temperatures under control during demanding sessions.
Familiar Shape With A Few New Details
The NISMO itself remains visually familiar, but the broader Z range picks up a handful of styling revisions.
Sport and Performance grades now feature a body-colour grille bar inspired by classic Nissan sports cars, while every 2027 Z replaces the traditional Nissan emblem on the nose with a standalone "Z" badge. Performance models also receive new forged 19-inch wheels finished with black spokes and machined outer rims.
A new Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic paint option joins the palette, taking inspiration from the original S30-generation Z. Buyers choosing the Performance grade can also specify a new tan interior, recreating a colour combination that has long been associated with earlier Z models.
Chassis Refinements Continue
Nissan hasn't overlooked the way the Z drives, either.
The Performance grade gains larger-diameter shock absorbers, helping improve stability and ride control without changing the overall character of the coupe. Across the lineup, engineers have also redesigned the fuel tank to maintain consistent fuel delivery during sustained high-speed cornering, a change aimed at drivers who regularly enjoy spirited road driving or track days.
Pricing Stays Simple
The 2027 Nissan Z NISMO MT starts at $67,260, exactly matching the automatic version. Sport models begin at $44,480, while the Performance grade is priced from $54,480 before destination charges. By keeping pricing identical between transmissions, Nissan is leaving the decision to drivers rather than asking them to pay extra for the manual many have wanted all along.