For driving purists, the joy of rowing through gears yourself has become a rare thrill in today’s auto market. But Nissan is about to give enthusiasts something to celebrate. The brand has confirmed that its flagship Z NISMO sports car will soon be available with a manual transmission. This news comes straight from Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier, who revealed the plan during a recent Automotive News podcast.
Until now, the most hardcore version of the Z was sold exclusively with a nine-speed automatic, leaving traditionalists with no option but to settle for the less powerful Z trims if they wanted a stick-shift. That’s about to change.
Why It Matters
The Nissan Z has long been a car about driver engagement. When the latest Z debuted, enthusiasts applauded Nissan for keeping a six-speed manual in the lineup. However, the NISMO version, the most track-focused of the bunch, dropped the manual entirely. That decision frustrated loyal fans who expected the ultimate Z to deliver the ultimate driver connection.
By confirming a manual option for the NISMO, Nissan is signaling that it hasn’t forgotten what its core audience values most.
What to Expect Under the Hood
The current Z NISMO already makes a strong case for itself. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, shared with other Z models but tuned for higher output. The NISMO delivers 420 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, 20 hp and 34 lb-ft more than the standard Z. The car also benefits from a limited-slip differential, retuned suspension, upgraded brakes, and more aggressive bodywork with signature red accents.
In Car and Driver testing, the automatic-equipped NISMO sprinted to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, making it the quickest Z yet. For comparison, a standard Z with the six-speed manual took 4.5 seconds to reach the same mark. The new manual NISMO will likely land somewhere between these times, but with sharper gear ratios and tuning to suit its more intense personality.
Likely Arrival Timeline
Meunier did not provide a launch date, but given the early stage of these announcements, industry watchers believe the manual Z NISMO may not hit showrooms until the 2027 model year. A 2026 debut is possible, though less likely. Either way, Nissan fans now know the option is officially in the pipeline.
A Win for Enthusiasts
In an era when automakers are rapidly shifting toward electrification and convenience-focused automatics, Nissan’s decision to offer a manual in its halo performance model feels like a win for traditional sports car lovers. It also positions the Z as one of the last affordable rear-wheel-drive coupes to cater directly to enthusiasts, alongside rivals like the Toyota GR Supra and Ford Mustang.
For now, Nissan is keeping further details under wraps. Expect more information on specs, pricing, and availability over the coming year. But the message is clear: the manual isn’t dead yet, and in the Z NISMO, it’s about to make a roaring comeback.
