The Nissan Z Nismo Fans Have Been Waiting For Is Finally Here

The Tokyo Auto Salon, running from January 9 to 11, is set to showcase some exciting, enthusiast-focused vehicles from Nissan. The automaker, together with Nissan Motorsports & Customization Co. (NMC), plans to reveal several upcoming models and a concept car, offering a glimpse of what’s to come.

Among the highlights is the eagerly awaited 2026 Nissan Z Nismo, a model highly demanded by fans for its long-awaited manual transmission. Earlier this year, Nissan confirmed that the Z Nismo would finally include a manual option in response to overwhelming customer requests. Since that announcement by the Nissan Americas chairman, details have been scarce—until now.

The Nismo Z Manual Is Official

All speculation can finally end—the Nissan Z Nismo with a manual transmission is real, and Nissan has released official photos to prove it. The images showcase the 2026 Fairlady Z Nismo (the Japanese name for the Z Nismo), featuring subtle design tweaks aimed at improving aerodynamics. Under the hood, it carries the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 as the automatic version, producing 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque—up from the standard Z’s 400 hp and 350 lb-ft.

Inside, the cabin mirrors the automatic Nissan Z Nismo almost entirely, with the manual gear lever being the only notable change. Fans had hoped for a distinct Nismo shift knob, but it remains the same as the standard Z. Since this isn’t the U.S.-spec model, there’s still a slim chance that American buyers might get a Nismo-specific handle. Priced at $65,750, which is $12,780 more than the Z Performance, we’re hoping Nissan delivers a unique knob for the manual variant.

Other Exciting Reveals

Beyond the Z Nismo, Nissan is teasing several other vehicles sure to excite enthusiasts—though, unfortunately, none are headed to the U.S. market. One teaser image hints at a highly aggressive concept, likely based on the Japanese-market Note Aura hatchback. With a massive widebody kit, this could become one of Nissan’s most thrilling hot hatches yet. Full details are expected during Nissan’s press conference on January 9.

Nissan will also showcase the Leaf Autech, a sportier, more luxurious take on its latest affordable EV. Like other Autech models, this one isn’t sold in the U.S., making it a rare treat for fans abroad. Similarly, the X‑Trail Rock Creek Multibed Wildplay won’t reach American shores—but our Rogue Rock Creek, which is fairly capable off-road, serves as the closest equivalent.

A Performance Revolution

These official teasers arrive as Nissan signals a renewed focus on performance, aiming to energize buyers with an expanded lineup of Nismo-tuned vehicles. The teaser underscores this commitment, while Nissan’s luxury brand, Infiniti, has also made waves—unveiling a wild GT-R-powered QX80 at SEMA and promising a new luxury performance division to rival Mercedes-AMG and BMW M.

The question remains: can Nissan deliver? The company recently flirted with a merger with Honda and undertook major cost-cutting measures under a new CEO. While the automaker is in a stronger position today than a year ago, chasing performance comes at a high price. Whether Nissan can fund its ambitious plans is still uncertain.