TUNNING

Nissan Z Kaze Concept

Nissan's latest concept car pays tribute to both the celebrated era of modified car culture and the company's own heritage of open-top models.

According to Motor1, the Nissan Z Kaze concept stands out with its turquoise paint, retro wheels, and a feature long missing from the Z model: a "T-top" roof. The color is called Pacific Teal, and it suits the car perfectly, complementing the custom roof featuring removable glass panels.

However, the Z Kaze concept is much more than just its paint and roof. Components such as the hood, fender flares, hood vents, and additional aerodynamic elements are crafted from carbon fiber.

As for the wheels, Nissan sourced a set of NISMO LMGT2 rims and restored them for this "Z." The LMGT2 is a forged wheel originally manufactured by RAYS back in 1996.

The bodywork underwent a transformation equally rich in references to that era. Painted in the exclusive Pacific Teal hue, the Z Kaze features a vented carbon-fiber hood, widened fenders, and a carbon-fiber aero kit—including a front splitter, side skirts, a diffuser, and a more pronounced rear spoiler. Visually, the result is wider and more aggressive than the standard Z, yet the modifications were carefully crafted to preserve the model's original identity. One of the most interesting details lies in the wheels: Nissan sourced a set of original, multi-piece, forged 18-inch NISMO LMGT2 wheels—now out of production—and carried out a complete restoration and rebuild specifically for this prototype. Measuring 10 inches wide at the front and 11 inches at the rear, they complement the muscular stance created by the new fenders. This choice was deliberate: the LMGT2s share the same visual lineage as the LMGT1 wheels used on the rare 1990s Skyline GT-R NISMO 400R, creating a direct link between this concept and one of the most iconic periods in Nissan's sports car history.

The interior follows the same design philosophy but aims to contrast with the blue-green exterior. The seats feature exclusive white leather upholstery, accented by carbon-fiber trim on the center console and dashboard. Since the cabin is directly exposed to the elements when the T-top panels are removed, Nissan integrated Bose Personal Plus speakers into the headrests, ensuring the audio system remains clearly audible despite increased wind noise. This solution is particularly intriguing as it blends modern technology with a roof configuration associated with classic Z models. The removable panels incorporate glass elements and are designed to be taken off and stored within the vehicle itself; the mechanism was developed specifically for the concept and boasts a finish comparable to that of a production component. 

Mechanical aspects also received attention. The Z Kaze utilizes the twin-turbo 3.0-liter VR30DDTT V6 found in the 2027 Nissan Z, but Nissan collaborated with tuner GReddy to incorporate an Airinx intake system, a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler, and a Supreme SP exhaust system. The suspension was also modified with NISMO components, although Nissan did not release specific figures for horsepower, torque, acceleration, or top speed for the concept. This means the standard 2027 Z’s official output of 400 hp and 474 Nm serves only as a baseline for the stock engine; one cannot assume these are the Kaze's figures following the modifications made by GReddy. The NISMO version of the Z, meanwhile, produces 420 hp and 520 Nm, but there is no indication that the concept uses the NISMO engine or tuning.

Choosing the 2027 Z as the base is particularly fitting, as Nissan has just updated its sports car for the new model year, retaining the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, and 6-speed manual transmission formula. The standard lineup uses the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 474 Nm, while the Z NISMO develops 420 hp and 520 Nm. The Kaze, however, was not conceived as a new production model or a replacement for the NISMO; it is a one-off show car created specifically to celebrate Z culture and explore a concept not currently offered in Nissan's lineup. To date, there has been no announcement regarding production of a T-top model or any version directly derived from the concept.

The tradition revived by this project is rich indeed. The T-top system first appeared in the Z lineage with the 280ZX and later the 300ZX, remaining a hallmark of the model through the 1990s; the 1996 300ZX is cited as the final production Z to feature this roof style. By bringing removable roof panels back to the modern Z, Nissan has established a direct visual link to that era—a time when Japanese sports cars were fostering a massive culture of customization and tuning. The Kaze brings together various symbols of that period in a single vehicle: T-tops, teal paint, NISMO LMGT2 wheels, carbon fiber, GReddy tuning components, NISMO suspension, and an audio system designed for open-top driving.

Following ZCON, the Nissan Z Kaze Concept will head to the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California, on October 3, 2026, further showcasing the vehicle to an audience of enthusiasts. The choice of these two events highlights the car's purpose: it is not merely a design exercise, but a celebration of the community that has sustained the Z tradition for decades. By blending references from the 280ZX and 300ZX with the current Z, Nissan has created a visual bridge between different generations of the sports car.

The 2026 Nissan Z Kaze Concept is, therefore, a deliberately nostalgic take on the modern Z, executed using contemporary tools and materials. While the removable T-top is its most striking feature, the project goes further by reviving historic NISMO wheels, reinterpreting 1990s tuning culture, and incorporating GReddy and NISMO components into the mechanical setup. As a unique exercise created for ZCON, the Kaze does not signal a future production model from Nissan; instead, it offers a compelling vision of how the manufacturer can engage with its own history without simply replicating it. It is a 21st-century Z with its roof open to the past.

The Z Kaze concept is equipped with a range of NISMO suspension upgrades. It also features parts from GReddy, including a Supreme SP exhaust system and an upgraded intercooler.

Although the Japanese manufacturer has not released specific figures, the standard Z model produces 298 kW (406 hp) and 474 Nm of torque, while the Nismo version delivers 313 kW (426 hp) and 520 Nm.

Nissan is currently showcasing the car at the ZCON event in Phoenix, Arizona. Afterward, the Z Kaze will head to the Japanese Classic Car Show.

Autonews