In a world where cars have become as quiet as libraries and as sterile as operating rooms, Nissan has just thrown a brick through the window of “sustainability.” We thought the battle was lost. We thought the Nismo badge would become just another sticker on an electric crossover. We were wrong. The 2027 Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo is here, and it brings what we journalists and enthusiasts have been begging for since this generation hit the road—a manual transmission. Yes, you read that right. This isn’t just a car; it’s a protest letter on wheels.
First of all let's clear up the numbers, which are sacred in this segment. Under the hood Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo still roaring fantastic 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (codenamed VR30DDTT), which in Nismo spec produces healthy 309 kW (420 hp) and 520 Nm (384 lb-ft) of torque. Until now, this power was available exclusively through a 9-speed automatic, which, frankly, was like putting boxing gloves on a top pianist. But for the 2027 model year, Nissan has introduced a Nismo MT version.
Finally, you can control this engine with a proper, mechanical 6-speed stick. Acceleration to 100 km/h will probably be around 4.2 seconds (the automatic is a bit quicker at 3.9 seconds, but who cares – it’s all about the feel!), and the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
But Nissan didn't just stop at the transmission. Engineers also tackled the aerodynamics with surgical precision. Front Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo has undergone an “aerodynamic makeover” with a new two-piece grille design that looks more retro and aggressive at the same time. Even bigger surprise? The rear spoiler has been removed. It sounds counterintuitive for a race car, but Nissan claims that the new design, combined with the diffuser, reduces drag and front-end lift so effectively that the “wing” is no longer necessary. So less is more.
Chassis with a touch of racing technology
The chassis has been given new monotube shock absorbers, which promise something we rarely hear from a Nismo – a more comfortable ride without sacrificing roadholding. This means that you won't lose every seal on the way to Grobnik, but when you reach the track, brakes derived from the model will take care of stopping. GT-RIf they stop Godzilla, they'll stop Z.
»This is a car that doesn't need fake sound from the speakers. "It's a machine that smells of petrol, rubber and hot metal dust. It's a tribute to the past that you can drive today," you might say. And in a world of touchscreens, that mechanical connection between the driver and the road is invaluable.
Electric cars may have the torque and acceleration to move your internal organs, but the Fairlady Z We are not It has soul. It has character. And with the new manual transmission, it finally makes sense.
Below the line_ Fairlady Z Nismo
2027 Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo is proof that someone in Japan is still listening to real drivers. With a price tag that will likely hover around €65,000 (US estimate), it's not a cheap toy, but for what it offers—a last chance to dance with a 420-horsepower manual rear-wheel drive—it's a real bargain. It'll be available in Japan this summer, but the rest of the world will have to wait until the end of the year. If you love driving, start saving up. This isn't just buying a car, it's an investment in your smile.
