View PhotosMichael Simari|Car and Driver
- The Nissan Z NISMO is finally set to add a manual-transmission option.
- The NISMO model has only been sold with a nine-speed automatic, while less powerful Z coupes offer a six-speed manual.
- The Z NISMO gets an extra 20 horsepower and 34 pound-feet of torque over the standard Z, making it four-tenths quicker to 60 mph.
Manual transmissions are few and far between in the current car market, but the Nissan Z sports car is one of several remaining models still celebrating the act of shifting gears yourself. However, not every Z model offers that ability, with the most potent NISMO trim coming exclusively with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Thankfully, it appears Nissan is ready to change its approach, with Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier revealing on an Automotive News podcast that the brand will add the stick-shift gearbox to the NISMO in the near future.The NISMO Will Get a ManualIn the interview, Meunier discussed several upcoming Nissan models, saying, “We have a NISMO manual transmission coming.” He didn’t provide any further details on when to expect this addition to the NISMO lineup or if the model would receive any other changes to go along with the new gearbox.View PhotosMichael Simari|Car and DriverThe Nissan Z NISMO utilizes the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 as other Z models, but adds an extra 20 horsepower and an additional 34 pound-feet of torque, bringing the totals to 420 hp and 384 pound-feet. The NISMO also has a standard limited-slip differential, a stiffer suspension setup, beefier brakes, and revised bodywork with a more aggressive look and red accents.➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsIn Car and Driver testing, the NISMO version sprinted to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, four-tenths quicker than an automatic-equipped Z Performance. Meanwhile, that car with the six-speed manual required 4.5 seconds to reach 60 mph.The manual transmission for the Z NISMO will likely be the same six-speed unit found in the standard Z coupe, albeit likely with some changes to account for the extra oomph and reworked gear ratios to create a slightly more intense character than the non-NISMO Z. Meunier didn’t mention when to expect this new stick-shift NISMO model, and while it could arrive as early as the 2026 model year, we have a feeling that 2027 is more likely, since this is the first we’ve heard of these plans. Expect more details on a manual-transmission NISMO model to emerge over the next year.More on the Z
- Review, Pricing, and Specs for the 2025 Nissan Z
- 2024 Nissan Z NISMO: Think Tracks, Not Roads
- Tested: Nissan Z Performance vs. Toyota Supra 3.0
Source: caranddriver.com
