Nissan is freshening up the 2027 Z with a new look and some pretty legit hardware upgrades underneath.
The latest Z has existed in its current form mostly unchanged since 2023, so Nissan is giving it a handful of choice enhancements to keep it fresh. First, the big one: yes, the Z Nismo is getting three pedals.
When the Z Nismo returned to the lineup in 2024, Nissan only offered a nine-speed automatic. To Nissan’s credit, it’s a very good automatic, but when do two pedals ever satisfy enthusiasts and keyboard warriors alike? Now, Nissan is making good on the rumours.
The six-speed stick is closely related to what you’d find in the non-Nismo cars, but Nissan added an upgraded clutch, a new shift lever design for shorter and better-feeling throws, and reworked throttle mapping for smoother power delivery. Interestingly, we noted most of these complaints in our last Z review, so someone’s clearly listening.
Along with the transmission upgrade, the 2027 Z Nismo now uses GT-R brakes. Nissan fitted the car with two-piece front rotors derived from the GT-R; it’s not only better for cooling, but also saves 19 pounds off the Z Nismo’s bottom line. Nissan also tweaked the front suspension geometery on account of the weight savings, as well as the power steering rack for better feel.
As for the rest of the lineup, the 2027 Nissan Z wears a new front end drawing heavily from last year’s Fairlady Z Proto concept, with a colour-matched bar bisecting the front grille as a throwback to the original 240Z. The mid-range Performance trim rolls on redesigned 19-inch forged wheels, and Nissan is offering two new delicious colour options — Shinkai Green Pearl on the outside, and a tan upholstery option inside.
Rounding out the updates for 2027 are thicker monotube shock absorbers for the Performance trim, a new fuel tank design for “more consistent fuel delivery” under hard cornering, and the available wireless phone charger now uses a cooling fan and a little magnet so your phone stays in place.
Pricing for the 2027 Nissan Z hasn’t been announced, but Nissan says we can expect to see them in dealers this summer.
Managing Editor
Nick has more than a decade of experience shooting and writing about cars, and as a journalism grad, he's a staunch believer of the Oxford Comma despite what the Canadian Press says. He’s a passionate photographer and loves exploring the open road in anything he gets his hands on.