2027 Nissan Z Nismo Finally Gets A Manual: This Is Everything You Need To Know

As suspected, the Nismo-tuned sports coupe will make a return to the lineup, but in addition to the formerly mandatory nine-speed automatic, the flagship Z will offer a handy six-speed manual. But in addition to the fan-service stick shift, there are also a handful of meaningful performance improvements that should make the latest red-lined Nissan more attractive than ever.

Shake Hands With The New Nismo

The Nissan Z lineup has always offered a manual transmission, and the automaker hasn't been keen to change that. However, since its 2024 debut, the current-generation Nismo trim has only been offered with an admittedly quick-shifting nine-speed – don't call it a slushbox. The automaker cited a few reasons for the decision to exclude the manual gearbox from the Nismo, including the quicker acceleration and reaction times of the auto compared to even a skilled driver with a stick shift, but at the same time, Nissan left the door open for a six-speed if consumers demanded it.

And demand they have, because the 2027 Nissan Z Nismo will come standard with the hand-shaker, while the nine-speed auto will become an optional extra. In either case, the Nismo-tuned, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 will make 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, respective upgrades of 20 and 34 relative to the base Z Sport or mid-level Z Performance trims. With the six-speed manual transmission, expect the Z Nismo to hit 60 miles per hour in about 4.1 seconds, a tick or two slower than the nine-speed's performance.

A Few Extra Upgrades Compared To 2026

The current Nissan Z Nismo is a pretty enjoyable sports car, but it gets even better for 2027 with the addition of a new set of front brakes using technology derived from the legendary GT-R super-coupe. The two-piece iron-aluminum rotors have more efficient venting to reduce brake temperatures in hard driving, and their novel construction saves a total of 19 pounds – all of it unsprung for even more comprehensive performance improvements.

The 2027 Nismo's front suspension has been retuned to take advantage of the weight loss. There's also a new steering rack that Nissan says should help with stability and driver confidence. And the V6 received some manual-specific engine tuning to ensure it delivers consistent and quick throttle response, as well as satisfying intake and exhaust bellow when slamming through the gears.

The Mainstream Z Gets Even Better

Although the lion's share of performance enhancements reside at the top of the Z-car lineup, the Sport and Performance models also get a few engineering tweaks for 2027 to match their improved appearance. For starters, the fuel tank has been redesigned to improve fuel pump efficiency even during high-G cornering, preventing gasoline starvation in long, sustained, sweeping corners. Furthermore, the Performance trim also gets larger-diameter monotube shock absorbers, which we hope will eliminate some of the float we've noticed in hard driving.

The entire Z lineup will enter production soon, with dealer deliveries to start this summer. The company hasn't announced pricing, but we hope it'll remain relatively steady. The base-model 2026 Z Sport currently starts at $42,970, while the Nismo is a lofty $65,750. Those numbers put the car in contention with everything from the Mustang EcoBoost Performance to the BMW M2, so if Nissan knows what's good for it, it'll hold the line on pricing for 2027 to prevent even more impressive competitors from entering the mix. 

That said, the Nissan Z is now the last flagship Japanese sports car standing, as Toyota will discontinue the GR Supra after the 2026 model year. If you love turbocharged six-cylinder coupes from the Land of the Rising Sun, the Z is now your only option.