When Nissan debuted Z NISMO debuted two years ago, despite offering the type of rear-wheel-drive sports car doesn’t cost six figures, something that’s in very short supply these days, they managed to piss everyone off by making it automatic only. Well, now a top exec is promising to rectify that mistake by giving the top Z a proper stick shift.
The revelation came from the lips of Christian Meunier, head of Nissan Americas, while speaking on an Automotive News podcast. “We have a NISMO manual transmission coming,” he said while discussing upcoming models. He didn’t elaborate at all, so there’s no information about timeframe or cost.
Back at the 2023 launch, a top product planner told us that there was an internal debate about whether or not to offer three pedals on the Z NISMO. In the end, they decided that since the 9-speed automatic would accelerate quicker than a Z equipped with the 6-speed manual, there was no need for the stick. They couldn’t have the NISMO be slower than a regular Z, right?
At the time, Paul Hawson, Nissan North America’s Director of Advanced Product Planning, said that customers who would spring for a NISMO cared about hard figures like lap times more than the overall driving experience. But, he added, Nissan was open to feedback and that if enough customers demanded a manual, they would consider it.
Well that day has apparently come. The gearbox will likely be the same 6-speed that comes on the standard Z. If the Z NISMO keeps the same engine configuration, it’ll be asked to handle 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, 20 more horses and 34 more lb-ft than the regular Z. Additionally, the NISMO comes standard with an LSD, bigger brakes, and increased chassis stiffening.
This is obviously great news, since the Z has always been a car for motorists and racers alike. Now the top-spec model can cover both bases. However, it speaks to what seems like an even greater shift_in attitude that may help revitalize the company. With news of a revived RWD manual Infiniti sports sedan and body-on-frame Xterra and Pathfinder, it feels like Nissan is listening to enthusiasts and giving loyal customers what they want. Maybe other companies should take note.
Still, in all this time since the launch of the new Z, I have only seen one on the road.
ONE.
This is very reminiscent of whken the British sports cars were dying off in the US market, ironically and the hands of the S30 Z. The Brits just kept patching up their old designs and foisted them off on our market. Sound familiar?
I have only seen a handful, though I have never seen a Nismo version. I was excited when they came out, figuring I’d see them somewhat frequently but didn’t end up seeing until almost a year later.
They are great looking cars, though. A lot better than the Z33 and Z34.
I had a feeling this was going to happen, similar to how Toyota did with the Supra; sell automatics first, then offer the manual version. I feel it’s a sales tactic so that it creates a continued visibility. The Z came out in 2022(?), and then the hype continued with the Nismo version, and now that hype stays alive with the much-desired manual version for the Nismo variant. Is a mid-cycle refresh coming soon as well?
Keep on keepin’ on Nissan!!
I have to say, I took another look at that NISMO variant, and this time I imagined it with a genuine 6-speed manual transmission. The car instantly became “better” in every aspect.
I’ve seen one on the road, and in San Diego of all places where you would expect to see far more.
Why is this a pattern? New hotness released with auto-only, execs hold firm that no manual will be offered. Time passes, execs read the tea leaves, and surprise – a row-your-own option appears. History is actually a thing that humans can rely on when making decisions.
It might be as simple as “we will sell automatics first to everyone who wants one, then a couple years down the line we offer the manual and half our customers will come back to buy a second one”. With Nissan’s in a rough patch, it might be some quick money to be had, and they have to fire on all cylinders in order to come back.
To echo on BlitzPig’s comment, I did not realise the similarity to the old british roadster story, but it truly is the same, they could not really upgrade their cars with every new US rules so they patched and patched and patched until they could not patch their old designs anymore, and when they actually tried new stuff, it was too little too late against the competition, and they went bankrupt. While I do not like what Nissan became one bit, I still hope they will make it and come back.
The GT-R is the track scalpel. Speed is priority. Don’t care what transmission they use as long as it’s quick.
The Z is the enthusiast car. Experience is priority. Manual required. I could care less if my lap time is a second slower. The Nismo is just a trim. A TRIM is not going to change that.
Pretty simple.