Nissan Z Gets a Fresh 2026 Facelift and a Long-Awaited Manual Gearbox

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 1

Discover the 2026 Nissan Z facelift—sleeker G-nose styling, fresh Unryu Green paint, a 6-speed manual option and upgraded performance. Learn more now!

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 2

Design Refresh at Tokyo Auto Salon

At the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, Nissan unveiled a mid-cycle refresh of its iconic Z coupe, known locally as the Fairlady Z. The most noticeable change is a new aerodynamic “G-nose” front end, inspired by the international-market Fairlady ZG. Updated front splitter, side rocker panels and a re-shaped grille reduce front-lift by 3.3 % and drag by about 1 %.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 3

Wheel and Brake Upgrades

The facelift also introduces dual-tone wheels that pay tribute to the classic 300ZX (Z31). Nissan equips the car with Akebono 380 mm front brake discs, while the small rear spoiler seen on the previous model has been removed for cleaner lines.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 4

New Paint Option

Buyers can now choose the exclusive “Unryu Green” finish – a nod to the legendary Grand Prix Green that has decorated Fairlady Zs for decades.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 5

Powertrain and Transmission

Under the hood the refreshed Z retains the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, delivering 405 hp (302 kW) and 475 Nm of torque. Alongside the standard nine-speed 9G‑Tronic automatic, Nissan finally offers a six-speed manual gearbox, paired with a retuned ECU to harmonise ignition timing and throttle response.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 6

Chassis and Weight

Suspension pistons have been enlarged from 40 mm to 45 mm, sharpening handling. The manual-spec car weighs 1,640 kg, the automatic 1,670 kg – roughly 10 kg lighter than the previous-generation model.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 7

Interior and Tech

The cabin stays largely unchanged, featuring a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a central 9-inch touchscreen that control infotainment, navigation and vehicle settings.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 8

Pricing and Sales Outlook

Nissan has not yet announced an official price for the 2026-model facelift. The 2025 model started at ¥6,759,500 (about US$42,800). Since its debut in 1970, the Z lineage has sold more than 1.8 million units worldwide up to September 2025.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 9

Stay tuned for the official launch price and availability in your market, and experience the blend of heritage and modern performance that only the Nissan Z can deliver.

Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 10
Nissan Z, 2026 Nissan Z facelift, Nissan Z manual transmission, Nissan Z price, Nissan Z specifications, Fairlady Z, Japanese sports coupe 11

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.