The Nissan Z story stretches all the way back to swinging 1969, when the frisky little Datsun 240Z gave Japan a sports car that was Euro cool without Euro price. More than five very long decades later, Nissan updated the current Z for 2026, adding a lovely manual gearbox to the NISMO range for the first time.
2026 Nissan Z updated the mechanicals, styling and equipment, led by the addition of a manual Z NISMO.
The six-speed manual NISMO joins the Z Coupe manual, Z Coupe automatic and Z NISMO automatic, for a grand total of four models. It is the first time the Z NISMO has been offered with a manual transmission in Australia and we’re beside ourselves with spasms of enthusiasm.
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ABOVE: The 2026 Z NISMO
Power from Nissan’s smooth twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 is 309kW and 520Nm in the NISMO, a slight increase of 11kW and 45Nm over the standard Z Coupe. Both have either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic.
The manual uses a short-stroke six-speed gearbox with a NISMO-specific drive mode. Other tasty treats include a revised NISMO braking system, and two-piece front brake rotors derived from the GT-R. The new rotors reduce unsprung mass by around 9kg and the brake callipers have a nice new finish.
The standard Z Coupe hasn’t been forgotten. They get suspension changes with NISMO monotube dampers. The revised dampers are intended to improve handling and ride comfort which was already decent.
The Coupe exterior gets a redesigned front bumper and grille together, a new 19-inch alloy wheel design, and a new paint colour called Unryu Green. Boulder Gray with a black roof makes a return as a two-tone option.
There are a few minor cabin updates to give buyers the feeling that they aren’t buying just any old Z.
To bring the Nissan into the modern era, wireless phone charging is now standard across the range. Can you believe it didn’t already have it? There is now a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a fresh start-up animation, and redesigned intelligent key. Buyers can specify a tasty tan interior as a no cost tick, but our favourite sports car does not come cheap.
The current Z was introduced as a modern continuance of those sweet little earlier generations rather than a clean-sheet rethink. Its styling is intended as a subtle nod to the original 240Z at the front, and the rear lighting has a faint whiff of Z32 300ZX. Like all good sports cars ever, there is an engine at the front, rear-wheel-drive and a silky growl, with a side of menace.
Price starts at $76,800 plus on-road for the manual and automatic Z Coupe, and $95,000 plus on-roads for the Z NISMO.
Orders have opened, with the first deliveries expected in September.
The 2026 Z range is covered by Nissan’s 10-year, 300,000km Nissan MORE warranty when serviced through authorised Nissan dealers. Flat-price servicing is listed at $499 per service for the first five years.
The update does not change the Z’s place in Nissan’s line-up. It remains the brand’s two-seat sports coupe, with the 2026 changes focused on expanding buyer choice, revising the chassis and refreshing the car’s appearance rather than replacing the model.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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