NISSAN

Nissan Z Nismo 2026 gets manual transmission

The 2026 Nissan Z NISMO is the high-performance version of the sports car, featuring a 420-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine, a focus on enhanced aerodynamics with racing-inspired elements (such as the honeycomb grille and spoilers), NISMO-tuned suspension, Akebono brakes, and Dunlop tires, offering a more connected and faster driving experience. It is expected to arrive on the market with automatic options and, in the future, a manual version for enthusiasts.

Sports car enthusiasts with true driver connectivity can breathe a sigh of relief – Nissan has announced that it will introduce the Z Nismo with a manual transmission at the 2026 Tokyo Motor Show. The news marks a significant shift in the Japanese manufacturer’s strategy, which has until now offered the most powerful version of its sports car exclusively with an automatic transmission.

Powerfully responsive...The stats alone are impressive: 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. But NISMO engineers went beyond just chasing numbers, creating quicker response and maintaining linear power flow with a thrilling rush to the redline.

While the current Z Nismo impresses with its numbers – a 3.0L V6 twin-turbo engine with 420 hp and 521 Nm, reinforced brakes and a sports-tuned suspension – many enthusiasts have missed the ability to change gears manually. The six-speed manual transmission should transform the driving experience, restoring that direct connection between driver and machine that has always been the essence of sports driving.

Shaped by the will to win...NISMO engineers are as practical as they are enthusiastic. That’s why nothing about Z NISMO is just for show — its performance-enhanced design is just the beginning. Z NISMO is the purest expression of competition-bred design with track-derived styling that features NISMO visual cues and signature red NISMO accents. Whether it’s the 420-horsepower, twin-turbo V6 engine or the aerodynamic insights gained from the incredibly successful GT-R and GT500 race car, nothing says performance-ready like Z NISMO.

Nissan's strategy couldn't be more precise. The announcement comes in a vacuum left by its biggest historical rival: the Toyota GR Supra, whose production will end in March 2026.

With the Supra gone, Nissan will have the market for affordable, turbocharged Japanese sports cars practically all to itself, especially when the manual Z Nismo arrives in dealerships (probably as a 2027 model).

In a world where manual transmissions are a dying breed due to hybridization and the pursuit of absolute efficiency, Nissan's decision is an act of respect for automotive culture. Along with Infiniti, the brand seeks to encourage purists to keep alive the pleasure of manual gear shifting.

However, the horizon is not entirely free of competition. Toyota will also be at the Tokyo Motor Show and has promised to present "additional GR models." Rumors indicate that a successor to the Supra may already be in the concept phase, possibly equipped with a Mazda engine.

Nissan has not yet revealed technical details about gear ratios or other modifications, but even a standard version of the transmission could significantly improve the driving experience of this car.

Good news for buyers outside of Japan is the confirmation that the Z Nismo with a manual transmission will be available worldwide, and will certainly focus on the American market. With this move, Nissan shows that it still values ​​tradition and driver engagement, which will certainly attract the attention of true automotive enthusiasts for whom driving is more than just transportation.

by Autonews