The 2027 Z will have “new design styling” aimed at increasing aerodynamic performance, and the 2027 Z NISMO will get a manual transmission.Numerous other improvements adorn the Z for the next model year. You can see the car at the New York Auto Show April 3-12. Pricing will be released closer to the 2027 Z’s launch this summer. If you’re a billionaire, you have a lot of options when it comes to picking your supercar. But if you’re only a thousandaire, you have to be more circumspect. There are some finds in the five-figure performance category, but they’re limited: Mazda Miata, Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86, Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, BMW M2, etc. When you think about it, we should all be glad there are still sports cars we can actually afford, if we’re willing to make it a budget priority. So when Nissan not only keeps making the Z, but keeps improving it as it goes, we should say, hooray for Nissan. And hooray for us.At the Tokyo Auto Salon in January, Nissan announced that the 2027 Z will have “new design styling” aimed at increasing aerodynamic performance, and the 2027 Z NISMO will get a manual transmission.Today, Nissan digitally revealed more improvements to the sports car, which the public will see at the New York Auto Show April 3-12 at the Javits Center. 2027 Nissan Z“The iconic Nissan Z receives a comprehensive refresh for 2027, headlined by the introduction of a six-speed manual transmission and GT-R-derived brakes for the 420-hp, track-ready Z NISMO,” Nissan said. “Coupled with a fresh design and new Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic paint option for Z Sport and Performance grades, the Z continues to drive excitement for its passionate fans.”It’s what Z owners wanted.“We’ve listened to everything Nissan Z fans and owners have been asking for, and we're answering the call with the most exhilarating, driver-focused version of the seventh-generation Z yet,” said Marco Fioravanti, vice president, product planning, Nissan US and Canada. “The six-speed manual in Z NISMO was specifically engineered for a pure and focused experience, while targeted handling and braking upgrades give more consistent and more capable track performance.”Nissan says the new manual transmission was specifically engineered for the NISMO grade, with an upgraded clutch compared to the Z Sport and Performance models. A new shift lever ratio results in a much shorter shift stroke, Nissan added, “rewarding drivers with quicker, more solid-feeling gear changes.”The new manual even rated a new tune for the sports car’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, which adjusts the throttle and ignition timing control for sharper, more aggressive throttle response and a more sustained torque delivery.Even the Active Sound Enhancement and Active Noise Cancellation systems are similarly retuned for the manual, with the technology dramatically amplifying intake and exhaust tones in Sport mode.There it is, the actual shifter knob of the 2027 Z NISMO manual.Stopping is addressed too. The two-piece, iron-aluminum rotors of the Z NISMO's front brakes now come from the great and powerful GT-R, with improved cooling channels for more effective braking at the track. The new brakes also weigh 19 pounds less, for which Nissan compensated by retuning the front suspension. The steering rack is also better, with 20% less friction than before.Nissan engineers also refined the ride and handling of the Z Performance model, using larger-diameter monotube shock absorbers to improve vibration dampening, resulting in what they promise is smoother ride quality and more consistent, more predictable handling performance.Even the fuel tanks on all 2027 Nissan Z models have a new design that helps maintain fuel levels around the fuel pump during high-g cornering. This helps deliver more consistent fuel delivery and engine performance during sustained, high-speed track cornering.The 2027 Nissan Z reaches Nissan dealerships this summer, with pricing to be announced closer to launch. Start saving now.Sales of the Z have improved, with 5487 units sold last year, marking a 73.4 percent increase over 2024. This strong performance helped it significantly outsell the Toyota Supra, which moved 2626 units out dealer doors in the same period. The Z experienced massive demand early in the year, including a 108 percent rise in Q2. The more we buy, the more they're likely to keep it in the lineup. Won't you do your part?