Nissan Z Nismo manual revealed, facelift timing confirmed

Updates are coming for the Nissan Z, with a manual option — finally — for the Nismo variant, and a facelift too.

The Yokohama-based automaker revealed the first images of the Nissan Z Nismo MT — known as the Fairlady Z Nismo MT in its homeland — ahead of its in-the-flesh debut at the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon that kicks off on January 9.

No details about the Nismo MT have been revealed, but from the photos we can see the car is fitted with a six-speed transmission.

The existing Z Nismo features a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 that’s been retuned to deliver 309kW and 520Nm, which drives the rear wheels via nine-speed automatic.

Given the gear deficit and the quicker shifts of the Nismo’s automatic, it’s likely the manual could be slower than the automatic, but as any Mazda MX-5 owner will tell you, driver enjoyment isn’t necessarily correlated to 0-100km/h times.

It’s unknown if the Z Nismo MT will make its way Down Under, but if it does it will cost a pretty penny. The automatic Z Nismo is priced at $94,000, and the standard Z carries a sticker price of $75,800 for both the manual and automatic. All prices are before on-road costs.

Nissan has also confirmed that a “refreshed” Z will make its debut in Japan in the middle of year, during the northern summer.

Sadly no teaser images or tidbits of information have been revealed about the Z update, but it will likely be facelift with a number of mechanical and spec enhancements.

The Nissan Z was launched in 2022 with an all-new retro-inspired body, redesigned interior, and a 298kW/475Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 borrowed from the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400. The underlying platform and structure is, however, an updated version of the one used in the 370Z, which went into production in 2008 with a naturally aspirated 3.7-litre V6.

MORE: Explore the Nissan Z showroom