Nissan Z NISMO to Finally Get Manual Transmission

• Z NISMO will receive a six-speed manual – better late than never.

• Announcement made by Nissan Americas Chair; pricing and release timing not yet disclosed.

• Manual model expected to use a revised version of the standard Z’s six-speed gearbox.

The reason why it wasn’t included at launch? When asked, we were told that the Z NISMO would not have been much faster than the standard car, so justifying a big premium for the NISMO would have been difficult.

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Until now, the Nissan Z NISMO has only been available with a nine-speed automatic transmission, despite the standard Z offering a choice between automatic and manual gearboxes.

But NISMO fans wanted it, and so Nissan will finally introduce a six-speed manual transmission option to its top Z, according to a recent announcement by Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier. The confirmation came during an Automotive News podcast, though no further details on pricing or launch timing have been released.

The Z NISMO builds on the standard Z’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6, increasing output to 420 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, up from 400 hp and 350 lb-ft in base trims. The model also benefits from chassis tuning, enhanced braking, and a limited-slip differential.

While Nissan has yet to confirm technical specifications for the upcoming manual version, it is expected to adapt a revised version of the existing six-speed gearbox used in lower Z trims, modified to accommodate the NISMO’s extra grunt.

Pricing for the 2025 Z NISMO in Canada starts at just under $80,000. The base car with a manual transmission is priced from under $54,000 with the 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic transmission. Though not confirmed, we predict that the manual Z NISMO’s pricing will remain unchanged with 6M or the 9A.

In response to media inquiries, Nissan issued the following statement: “The Nissan Z NISMO represents the pinnacle of accessible performance in our lineup. We value the passion for the model and are always exploring ways to enrich the driving experience. We look forward to sharing more details in the future.”

No official launch date has been confirmed, but industry observers anticipate that the manual-equipped NISMO could arrive as early as the 2027 model year.