Nissan’s Z Nismo finally gets the manual it deserves
Words: Andrew Sluys
Nissan has revealed the updated Z in all its glory, and alongside a mild facelift, the range-topping Nismo variant finally gets a manual transmission.
Fans will notice the whole car has been given a subtle styling refresh with softer angles and a body-coloured bar in the front bumper.
The Nissan logo at the front has also been replaced with a simple ‘Z’ badge, and a new set of 19-inch wheels have been fitted.
There’s also a new ‘Shinkai Green Pearl’ paint option which is paired with a black roof that harks back to the original Z.
Changes to the inside even more subtle, with a new tan leather upholstery, and a wireless phone charger representing the biggest differences.
No power or torque improvements have been made to the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, with it still producing 298kW.
It has received a re-designed fuel tank which reportedly optimises fuel delivery during intense track sessions.
On top of the styling changes, the Z Nismo gets the six-speed manual transmission fans have been calling for since its introduction.
According to Nissan, this transmission has had its gearing adjusted for performance, and features a shorter throw than the standard variant.
The engine in the Z Nismo has also been tuned to deliver a quicker throttle response.
On the stopping front, the Nismo now uses brake rotors taken from the GT-R, which drops weight and improves cooling.
Nissan New Zealand is yet to announce any news regarding this new model, which is set to go on sale in the US later this year.
