Nissan has updated the Z NISMO for the 2027 model year and will offer the performance version with a six-speed manual transmission for the first time. The gearbox arrives alongside lighter front brake rotors derived from the GT-R, plus suspension and steering revisions aimed at more consistent track use.
The manual is not simply the transmission from the less powerful Z grades. Nissan fitted an upgraded clutch and shortened the shift stroke, while the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 receives manual-specific throttle and ignition calibration. The engine remains rated at 420 hp. Nissan also retuned the car's active sound enhancement and noise-cancellation systems for the manual configuration.
The other major mechanical change is a pair of two-piece iron-aluminium front brake rotors derived from the R35 GT-R. Nissan says they save a total of 19 pounds and use revised cooling channels that reduce pad temperatures during track driving. The company retuned the suspension and electric power steering to account for the reduced front-end mass.
The NISMO changes sit within a broader 2027 Z refresh. Sport and Performance versions get a revised front end, while the entire range receives a redesigned fuel tank intended to keep fuel around the pump during sustained high-g cornering. Nissan says the updated cars, including the manual Z NISMO, will reach U.S. dealerships in summer 2026.