Nissan Z Nismo gets a 6-speed manual option

When the Nissan Z Nismo was launched in 2024, the news that it would be offered only with an automatic transmission didn’t rhyme well with many enthusiasts. The focus on performance, fast gear shift times, track use and lap times was Nissan’s justification for keeping the current generation Z Nismo automatic only.

However, the previous 370Z Nismo did come with a proper 6-speed manual gearbox, so Nismo fans were asking why not this new one?

Fortunately Nissan has heeded the cry of the fans and dropped a 6-speed manual into the Z Nismo. The three-pedal version will be offered alongside the existing automatic Z Nismo. Whether or not there is a price difference between the two variants remain to be seen.

The move is not unexpected, with arch rival Toyota GR Supra having a manual option for 2 years now, including a manual version of the Supra Track Edition. The tuned up Z Nismo is a direct rival to the Supra Track Edition and it only makes sense for the Nissan to come with a self-shifter if it was to properly challenge the Supra Track Edition. Furthermore, the current Supra is about to be superseded by a new model which may not have a manual option. If this is the case the Z Nismo manual will be quite an exclusive sports car in time to come.

With the demise of the Nissan GT-R and its Nismo variant, the Z Nismo now takes the jewel as Nissan’s most potent, highest performing sports car. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, of which it shares with the regular Z, albeit upgraded to produce 313kW and 520Nm, an 11kW and 45Nm increase from the standard car’s 298kW and 475Nm. The Nismo version also produces peak torque from 2000rpm through to 5200rpm.

The boost in engine performance is courtesy of improved cooling, revised electronic wastegate control providing increased turbocharger boost and turbine speed, and an independent ignition spark timing strategy similar to that used by the GT-R Nismo.

The automatic Z Nismo is currently priced at $94,000 before on-road costs. Expect the manual version to cost the same given that both the automatic and manual variants of the standard Z are identically priced.