Nissan finally delivers what sports car purists demanded. The 2027 Nissan Z Nismo now comes with a manual transmission, a move that rectifies a glaring omission from the model's 2023 reintroduction.
The original Z arrived as a CVT-only affair, disappointing enthusiasts who expected a row-your-own-gears option on Nissan's flagship sports car. That disconnect made little sense. The Z Nismo targets serious drivers, yet the brand withheld the transmission they actually wanted. Nissan has corrected course.
The Z Nismo pairs a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. Adding a manual to this powertrain creates a genuinely compelling proposition. Drivers can exploit every ounce of performance without relying on a continuously variable transmission that many find emotionally hollow.
Manual gearboxes remain rare in modern sports cars. Porsche offers a six-speed stick in the base 911, while Chevrolet's Corvette still features an eight-speed manual. BMW axed the manual from the M440i. Toyota's GR Corolla and GR86 embrace the three-pedal setup, proving there's still demand among younger buyers and hardliners.
Nissan's inclusion matters because the Z competes directly with the Chevrolet Corvette C8 and Porsche 911 for enthusiast dollars. Those cars offer manual options. The Z couldn't ignore that expectation indefinitely.
Pricing and availability remain unclear, but the Z Nismo manual transforms a solid sports car into a complete package. Four years late beats never. Nissan should have offered this from day one, but at least the brand listened.