Nissan Z Kaze Concept Brings Back the T-Top After 30 YearsAutoblogKarl FurlongThu, September 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Nissan hasn't sold a convertible version of its Z sports car since the 370Z Roadster was last available for the 2019 model year, but the automaker might just be interested in revisiting the idea. It has revealed the new Nissan Z Kaze concept at ZCON, an enthusiast convention of the Z Car Club Association held each year. With a T-top roof and design details inspired by '90s sports car culture, the Kaze gives us a glimpse into what a modern open-roof Z car could look like.Heritage-Inspired DesignNissan Z Kaze ConceptNissanView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Nissan Z Kaze's name comes from the Japanese word for wind, which is "kaze". Designed by a team of Nissan product planners and designers, the Z Kaze concept is a passion project inspired by driving along the iconic California Pacific Coast Highway. But the team also wanted to revisit the tuner culture of the '90s.The T-top roof is the star of the show, as it not only gives the modern Z car a distinctive profile, but removes a layer of isolation between the occupants and the sonorous V6. The Pacific Teal paint scheme was specifically chosen to reflect the spirit of '90s sports car culture, while several body modifications were aimed at reviving memories of that decade's import-tuner car scene. These include a vented carbon-fiber hood, fender flares, and a custom carbon-fiber aerodynamic kit.Nissan Z Kaze ConceptNissanThe car rides on restored 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 wheels; the iconic wheel was popularly associated with 1990s performance Nissans like the Skyline GT-R (R32 and R33) and 300ZX. These forged, multi-piece wheels were sourced as an original set before being carefully restored just for the Kaze concept."The Z Kaze concept celebrates some of Nissan's most iconic open top sports cars, while recognizing the '90s tuning culture that helped put Nissan and Nismo on the map," said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president, chief product and planning officer, Nissan Americas. "This passion project combines Nissan's engineering excellence, creativity and celebration of the brand's heritage."Related: Nissan Z Roadster: Imagining a Comeback for the Convertible IconWhite Leather Interior and New Performance PartsNissan Z Kaze ConceptNissanThe interior of the Nissan Z Kaze concept looks entirely production-ready. All the comforts and amenities you'd find in a normal Z coupe are in place, but the concept also boasts attractive white leather upholstery, which emphasizes the open-air nature of the car. There are carbon-fiber interior accents, and a powerful Bose Personal Plus sound system with headrest speakers means occupants can enjoy their favorite tunes even when the roof is removed.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs with the regular Z car, the Kaze uses Nissan's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, but it may disappoint some to see that the concept uses the automatic transmission, not the six-speed manual. Then again, an automatic often complements the more relaxed vibe of a convertible.Nissan Z Kaze ConceptNissanView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleThe Kaze features new performance components from tuning company GReddy. These include a Supreme SP exhaust system, a front mount air-to-air intercooler kit, and an Airinx air filter kit. Nissan hasn't quoted outputs, but they should be in the vicinity of the Z Nismo's 420 horsepower/384 lb-ft of torque.The Z Kaze concept will be on display at ZCON in Phoenix, Arizona, through Saturday, September 26. Thereafter, the car will be displayed at the Japanese Classic Car Show on Saturday, October 3.What It MeansNissan Z Kaze ConceptNissanThe 1990s are remembered as the peak era for Japanese sports cars. Not only were the cars coming out of the factory brilliant performance machines, but the tuner culture was at its peak. By tapping into this beloved chapter in its history with the Z Kaze, Nissan is appealing to a group of especially passionate Z car fans.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe return of the T-top roof is a welcome extension of the modern Z car, and also brings back a body style not seen since the 1996 Z32 300 ZX. A positive response to the Z Kaze may just prompt Nissan to seriously consider a production version, too.Related: The 2027 Nissan Z Is Going Even Deeper On Retro DesignThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the Concept Cars section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.