2027 Nissan Z Nismo Brings Manual Power

Photo Source/Copyright: NISSAN USA

Nissan had logical reasons for initially launching the current Z NISMO exclusively with a nine-speed automatic. On a stopwatch, a modern paddle-shift transmission will outpace human feet and hands every single time. Track cars live and die by lap times, so on paper, two pedals made complete sense. There was just one problem: enthusiasts kept asking for three pedals anyway.

The 2027 Nissan Z NISMO is what happens when an automaker actually listens to its core audience. In showrooms since summer 2026, this updated coupe delivers a purpose-built six-speed manual gearbox engineered specifically to handle the NISMO’s added punch. It turns out shifting a bit slower is precisely the point when you want to feel genuinely connected to the machine beneath you.

What Sets the 2027 NISMO Apart?

The manual transmission grabs the biggest headlines, but Nissan didn’t simply slap in a pedal box and call it a day. Engineers reworked hardware across the chassis to maximize track endurance and driver engagement:

• Dedicated 6-Speed Gearbox: Built with a short shifter, heavy-duty pressure plate, and upgraded clutch engineered specifically for the engine’s 384 pound-feet of torque.
• Sharper Engine Calibration: Features manual-specific throttle mapping and ignition timing for snappy, immediate pedal response.
• GT-R Derived Braking: Upgraded to 15.0-inch two-piece iron-aluminum front rotors, shedding 19 pounds of unsprung mass while resisting brake fade during sustained hot laps.
• High-G Fuel System: A redesigned fuel tank keeps gasoline flowing to the pump even at high-G corners.
• Retuned Chassis Dynamics: Dampers, springs, and electric power steering are recalibrated to harmonize with the lighter front end.
• Amplified Exhaust Tone: Intake and exhaust acoustic notes are artificially enhanced in Sport mode to match tactile feedback with auditory punch.

Performance Specs: NISMO vs. Performance

While the Z Performance trim remains a brilliant road car, the NISMO sharpens every structural edge for dedicated track rats.

Though the NISMO carries roughly 88 extra pounds due to wider rubber, stiffened structural bracing, and aggressive aero bodywork, the extra 34 pound-feet of torque easily offsets the mass. More importantly, those massive GT-R rotors run significantly cooler lap after lap, weight any enthusiast will gladly carry around.

Cabin Atmosphere and Everyday Usability

Inside, two manual Recaro bucket seats wrapped in leather and Alcantara grab driver and passenger like a catcher’s mitt. Heated seats stayed on the Performance trim’s options sheet, but bolsters this snug keep you plenty warm. Convenience tech wasn’t forgotten, either; you get a 9-inch navigation touchscreen, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, and a cooled Qi2 wireless device charger.

Pricing and Transmission Verdict

Starting at $67,260 MSRP (excluding destination fee), Nissan charges the exact same price whether you select two pedals or three. There is zero manual penalty.

Choosing the manual drops 53 pounds compared to the automatic NISMO. If chasing absolute track records is your only goal, the nine-speed automatic remains the faster tool, but if you want to remember the drive long after parking in the garage, the manual NISMO is the obvious choice.

Drive One

A spec sheet only tells you so much. Rowing from second into third tells you the rest. Stop by or browse our Z inventory.