Summary
- The Nissan Z is getting an early refresh for the 2027 model year, unveiled quietly at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon with a sharper face, heritage cues and a handful of under-the-skin tweaks
- The facelift leans harder into classic Fairlady Z DNA with a new two-piece grille, Unryu Green paint inspired by Grand Prix Green, fresh 19-inch wheels and a tan interior that shifts the coupe from tuner vibe to modern-retro grand tourer
- Nismo fans finally get their wish as the hardcore variant adds a six-speed manual, retuned ECU and throttle mapping, upgraded dampers and GT-R-derived brakes while the core 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 remains untouched
The refreshed Nissan Z arrives at a moment when analog sports cars are becoming rare and more precious to enthusiasts. Nissan is doubling down on the coupe’s purist appeal rather than chasing EV headlines, using subtle design and chassis changes to keep the Fairlady Z relevant against rivals like the GR Supra and BRZ. The move also signals that Nissan understands the Z’s cultural weight as a bridge between JDM nostalgia and a new generation raised on sim racing and car TikTok.
Visually, the facelift does the work fans have been asking for. The slabby grille is replaced by a more sculpted two-piece opening with a body-colour crossbar that recalls 240Z G-nose aero, while the Nissan badge gives way to a simple Z emblem. A hero Unryu Green paint option and bi-tone 19-inch wheels reinforce the retro brief, and the tan leather cabin option brings a calmer, more upscale energy than the original red and blue themes. Underneath, new monotube shocks with larger pistons and bigger brakes target better ride and response, with aero tweaks claimed to trim lift and drag. The headline plays to the comment threads though, as the Z Nismo finally pairs its boosted V6 with a six-speed manual and bespoke calibration, turning the most extreme Z into the spec driving purists have been waiting for.
