The updated Nissan Z for 2027 isn’t exactly news. From executives confirming rumors to international debuts, we already knew pretty much everything going on with Nissan’s sports car for its mid-cycle update. However, one key revision remained basically a secret until now. I’m not talking about the addition of an optional six-speed manual transmission to the high-performance Nismo model, although if we’re looking at all the changes, that’s not a bad place to start.
Right off the rip, that stick-shift Nismo model unveiled in Japan last year is coming to America. How could it not? Our continent’s a key market for Nissan’s last remaining sports car, and with high local stick-shift take rates for cars like the BMW M2 and Porsche 911, Nissan aims to cash in. While hand-made shifts behind a 420-horsepower three-liter twin-turbocharged V6 are going to be slower than computer-controlled shifts from a nine-speed torque converter automatic transmission, rowing your own gears is immensely more gratifying, so the added choice is welcome.
As a bonus, the Nismo Z gets a short-throw shifter that promises notchier action compared to the slightly rubbery shifts in the regular Z, along with some real hardware upgrades over last year’s automatic-only Nismo Z. Two-piece front brake discs shave 19 pounds off the car’s curb weight and promise to stay in a happy temperature window longer on the track, while steering rack stiction has been reduced by a claimed 20 percent.
Of course, if you don’t have the cash to splash on the absolute top trim, the regular Z also gets some upgrades for 2026. A new front fascia splits the gaping grille with a dash of body color surface area, an optional Qi2 wireless phone charger should juice up your phone quicker, and the optional Shinkai Green Metallic paint looks classic. Especially when paired with the Performance trim’s newly-available tan interior.
Speaking of the mid-range Performance trim, it’s getting a fresh set of monotube dampers. Time will tell if they’re tuned differently enough to really justify the premium over a base car, but a larger piston diameter is usually a good thing. However, the thing I’m most excited for is Nissan claiming to improve on an issue that Zs have experienced for generations:
All 2027 Nissan Z models have a new fuel tank design that helps maintain fuel levels around the fuel pump during high-G cornering. This helps deliver more consistent fuel delivery and engine performance during sustained, high-speed track cornering.
Oh, hello. Those who’ve experienced it firsthand will know that cars riding on the FM platform, from the Infiniti G35 through to the latest Nissan Z, feature a fuel tank that wraps around the snout of the rear differential. There’s a low spot on either side and a high spot in the middle, and this can cause some weirdness when you’re out on track. Run the fuel level low enough through a high-G corner on track, and cars in this family are known to temporarily not receive fuel. Speaking from experience, it’s a bit alarming to roll through a sweeper under power and suddenly have power cut out. It’s a prominent enough issue that various aftermarket kits exist, including this one from AMS, to address fuel starvation concerns. If this new tank solves these problems once and for all, it will be well worth it.
While a manual transmission in the Nismo Z is the headline highlight of the model for 2027, the fuel tank revisions might be the actual game-changer. Not just now, but in the future, when these cars get cheap enough to become more dedicated track rats. Best of all, there’s a chance the new fuelling setup may fit in prior models without the need to wire in a dual-pump setup. Who’s going to be brave enough to give it a try?
Top graphic image: Nissan
Glad to hear they fixed that. I couldnt help comment on this though…
“Speaking from experience, it’s a bit alarming to roll through a sweeper under power and suddenly have power cut out.”
It might be only alarming in an older z but I can assure you that running lean through a long corner in an older 911 Turbo isnt just alarming, its goddamn terrifying (smoke, valves flying everywhere) and expensive (>$20,000 with a new engine and a sump fuel system this time.)
Does the Z still weigh >3000 lbs? That was always the real problem.
This looks way better than before. Hopefully Nissan actually gets some orders.
I’m interested in what kind of tuning can be done on this engine and how deeply packaged the snails are for upgrades.
Maybe I haven’t had enough coffee or woke up differently, but that Z in the last photo doesn’t look, well, fat. The previous generation styling made it look awkward, but that last shot looks about as proportioned as modern cars can get. No black trim on the bottom trying to mask how high the bottom of the window is from the door edge.
I’d totally put on louvers. Tell me someone makes louvers for this.
I still haven’t seen a Z on the road.
There have been several at local car gatherings in my city. I didn’t love the looks of the 350/370Z (the door handle is hideous) but this new Z strikes a great balance of modern and classic looks.
Still needs t-tops.
This guy agrees
https://media1.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTZjMDliOTUybjhpdGpzY2V0N2piOWcyYmFpZGRjOXNuYjdieGhsemUxeHcxZTN2cyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/FKtABjMzZD3Ow/200w.gif
While this is nice it doesn’t address the most disappointing aspect of the Z – that it hasn’t had more than a refresh since it debuted in 2003. I had a 2013 370Z 6MT base model and this 2027 Z looks awfully familiar. I can’t help but assume all the issues that were disappointing and underwhelming on mine are still there, most especially the brutal sightlines. At least the 27 has a backup camera standard. And, apparently, you’re less likely to unexpectedly run of fuel now. Sweet, but not enough.
As a former long-term Z33 owner (username checks out), the saddle tank never bothered me on a track, but it bothered me every time I had to fill up, because you could rarely fill up. Just fill a little bit before the saddle shape confused the gas pump and it thought you were full.
Better late than never, Nissan!
that front bumper is still a mess though.
I had that problem in a 98 XJ when one of the rear shocks went bad.
If that Qi2 charger is like what comes in the GR Corolla, it will be mostly useless. I swapped mine out for the cubby that comes in non-Qi equipped models.
Adds a slight bit of storage but also gave me a good spot for a light switch for the Hella’s I added.
Mm, that green!
I haven’t commented on the “best-looking new cars” article, but when thinking about it the latest Z was in the running for me. With that green over tan, it’s a serious contender. There are much better looking cars out there, but very few better looking new cars.
It is certainly a very good green
It might just be me, but they always seem to look much better in pictures than they do in person. That last picture in the article, that profile, the colours, absolutely love it, but every time I see one on the road, they just look big and overweight. Especially from the rear 3/4 view, which I notice none of those pictures show us.
Hold on, 19 lbs of curb weight for the front rotors?! That’s a huge savings on rotating mass, 9.5 per side. Awesome.
The rule of thumb I’ve heard is that every pound of rotating mass is worth about 10 pounds of regular vehicle mass in straight-line acceleration and braking. This kind of improvement feels worthy of the Nismo name here.
Cast iron to alloy centre hats for brake rotors does save heaps of weight, but I’m also impressed by that figure.
That’s the first I’ve heard that, interesting.
It’s certainly a ton of unsprung mass as well.
Every car with a saddle tank will experience fuel slosh. The BRZs have a nifty little aftermarket piece to keep fuel near the pump temporarily
https://www.verus-engineering.com/shop/a0118a-fuel-starvation-door-brz-frs-gt86-wrx-387?page=2&category=1#attr=
No 2+2, no care.
I feel it’s almost time for a 380ZX, which could offer the back seats. And louvers.
+1 for louvers 😀
Isn’t that supposed to be what the Infiniti Q60 accomplishes? I can see Nissan saying that as their excuse
Out of production since 2022, plus it has a small trunk instead of a hatch/liftback. My desire for a 2+2 is more in being able to fold down the rear seats for more cargo space than actually having people sit back there.
The folding back seats are the main reason that I have an 86 over a Miata, with the seats folded down there’s a surprising amount of cargo room. I’ve moved a 20″ deck push mower and full-length door mirror in mine in addition to the advertised full set of wheels and tires.
I read this as a mirror for a car door at first, and thought you were talking about some weird oversized truck mirrors or something.
Oh I would be 100% down for that. 2+2 liftback is the business.
IKR? I have said it before, but why did we get away from that? Did automakers think every person who wants a sports car only uses it for weekend track days while driving something more basic during the week? Or that they don’t have a lifestyle that means they carry more than just a few grocery bags?
Screw structural stiffness; I want everyday practicality.
I blame armchair racers and number focused car buyers.
Of course taking out back seats, lift backs and trunk pass-throughs will help shave seconds off of your Nurburgring lap times and increase torsional rigidity but it’s less of a usable daily driver and I’m not Ayrton Senna.