Nissan Gives the Z Nismo a Stick Shift and Rolls Out a Freshened Fairlady Z in Japan
Nissan has answered a long-running request from Z fans by fitting the Fairlady Z Nismo with a six-speed manual gearbox. The updated Fairlady Z range has now gone on sale in Japan, arriving four years after the current-generation model first appeared.
For the Nismo, the new transmission comes with a short-throw shifter, a reinforced clutch, and revised throttle and ignition mapping to suit manual driving. Across the lineup, Nissan has also installed larger monotube dampers, aiming to improve comfort on the road.
The refreshed car keeps its heritage-focused look, including the return of the front-mounted Z emblem and a redesigned front bumper. Buyers in Japan can choose from 10 exterior colors, among them a new Unryu Green and Super Black two-tone combination that nods to older Z design themes.
Inside, both the standard car and the Nismo now include a Qi2-compatible wireless charging pad, helping the coupe stay modern without losing its retro character. The range in Japan starts with the base Fairlady Z, moves through Version S and Version ST, and ends with the Nismo.
The Nismo also receives red brake calipers and two-piece drilled rotors, giving it a more serious performance look and feel. Pricing begins at 5,737,600 yen, or roughly $38,250, and climbs to 9,752,600 yen, about $65,000, for the Nismo. A special paint treatment adds 49,500 yen, around $330.
Before this update, Japanese Nismo buyers were limited to a nine-speed automatic. The addition of a manual changes that completely, giving the top Z a more engaging personality and aligning it with what enthusiasts have wanted since the car launched.
Nissan says the manual version has been tuned carefully so the twin-turbo V6 responds naturally with a clutch pedal and gear lever. That includes changes to throttle behavior and engine response, showing the company treated the manual conversion as more than a simple option sheet addition.
This move also fits Nissan's broader Z strategy, as the manual-equipped 2027 Nissan Z is already reaching U.S. dealers or should be there soon. American buyers can choose the six-speed manual at no extra cost, with pricing starting at an MSRP of $68,555.
