Nissan Teases Z Nismo MT For TAS 2026, Confirms Facelift Too

Nissan is finally answering the calls from enthusiasts by readying a new manual transmission (MT) option for the hotter Z Nismo sports coupe.

It looks like Nissan is set to roll out updates for what now stands as the automaker's sole sportscar offering that is the Z – also known as the Fairlady Z in its Japanese home market (chassis code: RZ34).

Firstly, with the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon coming up next month, the Yokohama-rooted automaker is firstly set to finally make a manual transmission (MT) option available for the hotter Z Nismo variant.

The Z Nismo MT will bow alongside the Autech-kitted Nissan Leaf EV (top, left), rugged X-Trail Rock Creek Multibed Wildplay concept (top, right) and a still unnamed new Nismo concept at TAS 2026 next month.

The Z Nismo MT will bow at said annual modified car show – Japan’s largest – alongside a sporty Autech-kitted version of its latest-gen Leaf EV, as well as a rugged X-Trail Rock Creek Multibed Wildplay concept build.

Teased too is a brand new Nismo concept, though the veiled taillight image doesn’t exactly reveal much. Nevertheless, more details about this mystery unnamed concept will be dished out during the automaker’s scheduled press conference on Jan 9, 2026.

Apart from the new transmission choice, little changes - visually, at least - are expected from the upcoming new Z Nismo MT variant.

Back to the Z Nismo MT, Nissan again skirted dishing out too much details other than this variant’s promise of sating the needs of customers “looking for a heightened driving experience.”

As a refresher, the seventh-gen Z sports coupe bowed in 2021 before entering production a year later in 2022. The base car featured a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol heart outputting 400 hp and 475 Nm to the rear wheels.

Existing 2023 Nissan Z Nismo pictured.  

The hotter Z Nismo that arrived in 2023 upped the ante to punchier 420 hp and a meatier 510 Nm instead. Ironically, only the base Z is offered with the choice between a 9-speed automatic or 6-speed manual.

Apart from which, Nissan also confirmed plans to release an updated iteration of the regular Z sports coupe in 2026 – basically, a mid-life refresh or ‘facelift’. The automaker says this revised model will debut in Japan by mid-year.

Nissan Fairlady Z in special Midnight Purple paint.

Besides minor cosmetic updates, Nissan also confirmed that the refreshed 2026 model year version detailed will gain several mechanical and spec enhancements too. Naturally, the automaker did not divulge further details for which at this point.

Until then, the Z Nismo MT detailed should sate the needs of driving enthusiasts with the means in Japan at least. For now, it’s still unclear if Nissan will officially offer this hotter manual variant overseas just yet.