Nissan Z Gets a Fresh Facelift at Tokyo Auto Salon – New G‑Nose, Green Paint and 6‑Speed Manual Option

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 1

Nissan reveals the 2026 Z facelift at Tokyo Auto Salon, featuring a sharper G‑nose, fresh Unryu Green paint, and an optional 6‑speed manual. Discover the upgrades now!

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 2

At the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, Nissan announced a mid‑cycle facelift for its iconic sports coupe, the Nissan Z (known in Japan as the Fairlady Z). The refreshed model builds on the 2022 launch while adding a host of visual and mechanical tweaks.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 3

Sharper Exterior Styling

The most striking change is the new “G‑nose” front end, a sleek aerodynamic bumper inspired by the international Fairlady Z‑G concept. Updated side skirts and a re‑shaped grille reduce front‑axle lift by 3.3% and cut overall aerodynamic drag by roughly 1%.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 4

Complementing the fresh front, Nissan borrowed a two‑tone wheel design from the classic 300ZX (Z31) to give the Z a nostalgic yet modern look. The rear spoiler is now smaller, streamlining the silhouette even further.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 5

New Colour Option

For the 27MY (2026) model year, Nissan adds a vibrant Unryu Green paint, echoing the historic Grand Prix Green of earlier Fairlady Z race cars.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 6

Interior Continuity

Inside, the cabin remains largely unchanged – a 12.3‑inch digital instrument cluster sits above a 9‑inch central touchscreen, delivering the same high‑tech experience as the previous version.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 7

Powertrain and Performance

The facelift retains the 3.0‑litre twin‑turbo V6, producing 405 hp (300 kW) and 475 Nm (350 lb‑ft) of torque. Buyers can choose between the 9‑speed automatic 9G‑Tronic or a newly offered 6‑speed manual gearbox, the latter paired with a revised ECU map for optimal throttle response and ignition timing.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 8

Suspension pistons have been enlarged from 40 mm to 45 mm, and the manual‑spec car weighs 1,640 kg, about 10 kg lighter than the previous‑generation model. The automatic version sits at 1,670 kg.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 9

Pricing and Sales

Pricing for the 2026 facelift has not yet been announced. The 2025 (26MY) version started at ¥6,759,500 (≈ US$42,800). Since its debut in 1970, the Z lineage has sold 1,836,157 units worldwide as of September 2025.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 10

With its refreshed styling, new colour palette, and the long‑awaited manual transmission, the 2026 Nissan Z aims to satisfy both purists and new enthusiasts alike.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Tokyo Auto Salon, sports car upgrade, Fairlady Z, G‑nose design 11

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