The range-topping Nismo variant of the Nissan Z coupe will finally get the transmission enthusiasts have wanted.
Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas, confirmed the change during his appearance on the Automotive News podcast, but didn’t elaborate on when the manual Nismo will be added to the range.
Although there was enthusiast disappointment about the lack of a manual transmission option when the Z Nismo launched, Nissan Australia’s initial allocation of 100 Z Nismos was snapped up within an hour.
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Both the regular Z and the Nismo version are powered by the company’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6.
In the standard variant, the twin-turbo V6 makes 298kW and 475Nm of torque, and is available with a six-speed manual transmission or, for no additional money, a nine-speed automatic.
For the Z Nismo, the engine has been retuned to deliver 309kWand520Nm, but is currently offered solely with an uprated version of the nine-speed automatic.
Priced in Australia from $94,000 before on-road costs locally — around $20,000 more than a standard Z — the Nismo also includes stiffer suspension, firmer steering, slightly wider black 19-inch alloy wheels, tweaked aero and styling, and red highlights both inside and out.
The Z was launched in 2022 with an all-new retro-inspired body and redesigned interior. 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: Everything Nissan Z