It hasn’t been long since the modern Z made its comeback, but Nissan clearly isn’t waiting around. At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Nissan quietly revealed a refreshed version of the Z (or Fairlady Z, as it’s known in Japan), and while the changes aren’t dramatic, they’re thoughtful—and that’s exactly the point.
This isn’t a reinvention. It’s a careful polish of a car that already had the right bones. And for enthusiasts, that matters.
A Front End That Finally Looks Right
Let’s start with the most talked-about change: the grille. Love it or hate it, the original Z’s large, boxy front opening sparked debate from day one. Nissan seems to have taken that feedback seriously.
The refreshed Z now wears a slimmer, two-piece grille with a body-colored bar separating the upper and lower sections. The result is a front end that feels cleaner, more cohesive, and more in line with the car’s retro-modern identity. It also happens to be more aerodynamic, reducing both lift and drag—small gains, but meaningful ones for a sports car.
Even the badge has changed. The traditional Nissan emblem is gone from the nose, replaced by a bold “Z” logo that puts the car’s heritage front and center.
Retro Vibes, Turned Up a Notch
Visually, the refresh leans harder into nostalgia, and that’s no accident. The new Unryu Green paint color is inspired by the classic Grand Prix Green of the original S30 Z, and it looks fantastic—modern, rich, and unmistakably old-school in spirit.
New 19-inch wheels add to the effect, pairing dark finishes with subtle contrast details. Together with the green paint, the Z looks more purposeful and more confident than before. Some versions even ditch the small rear lip spoiler, giving the car a cleaner, more understated profile.
Inside, Familiar Is a Good Thing
If you were expecting a full interior overhaul, you won’t find it here—and honestly, that’s probably for the best. Nissan has kept changes minimal, introducing a tan leather interior option that adds warmth and a more classic sports-car feel without disturbing what already works.
There has been some confusion around photos showing paddle shifters in a manual-equipped car, but this appears to be more about shared components than a sign of anything unusual. The core experience remains unchanged—and that’s exactly what most Z fans want.
Subtle Mechanical Tweaks Where They Count
Underneath the styling updates, Nissan has made quiet but meaningful improvements. The suspension gets retuned dampers with larger pistons for better control, and braking performance is improved with larger brakes, especially on higher-performance variants.
Crucially, the engine stays the same. The twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 continues to deliver 400 horsepower and 475 Nm of torque, sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic. No downsizing. No gimmicks. Just refinement.
And for purists, there’s more good news: the Z Nismo is now officially available with a manual transmission—something enthusiasts have been asking for since day one.
When Can You Get One?
The refreshed Nissan Z will go on sale in Japan later in 2026, with global markets expected to follow. While Nissan hasn’t confirmed exact timelines outside Japan, all signs point to a late-2026 arrival as a 2027 model year car.
