Nissan has launched a refreshed Fairlady Z and Fairlady Z NISMO in Japan, leaning further into the model’s design lineage while sharpening its dynamics.
The most visible change is the return of the front Z emblem, a design element that ran from the original S30 in 1969 through the Z32 in 1989 and now reappears on both the standard car and the NISMO.
A redesigned front bumper extends the nose to emphasize the Fairlady Z’s long-hood, short-deck proportions and create a lower, wider stance, while revised duct and sensor placement cuts front-end lift and aerodynamic drag.
New forged aluminum wheels reference the aero-disc design of the third-generation Z31 through a geometric machined pattern, and a tan interior inspired by the S30 is now available on select grades.
The color lineup grows to 10 options, including a new Unryu Green and Super Black two-tone finish that draws on Grand Prix Green, the S30’s signature shade and a long-standing favorite among Z enthusiasts.
Ride and Presentation Upgrades
The standard car also gains larger-diameter monotube shock absorbers on select grades, with a 26.6 percent increase in pressure-receiving area that Nissan says improves body control and delivers a steadier ride at high speed.
Inside, the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster now opens with an animation cycling through silhouettes of every Z generation from the S30 to the RZ34, a nod to the car’s history that plays each time it starts.
NISMO Adds a Manual and Track-Focused Hardware
Responding to customer requests, Nissan added a six-speed manual transmission to the Fairlady Z NISMO, built around a short-throw shifter for quick, precise shifts, with throttle response and ignition timing specifically tuned for the manual gearbox.
Two drive modes — Standard, tuned for everyday and long-distance driving with restrained sound and smooth mid-range acceleration, and Sport, which sharpens throttle response and amplifies engine sound at higher revs — each get their own acceleration sound tuning. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system also gains a NISMO-exclusive Traction mode designed to make the car respond more directly to driver input.
On the chassis side, the NISMO gets bright red brake calipers and two-piece drilled front rotors borrowed from the Nissan GT-R, improving heat dissipation while cutting unsprung weight, with suspension tuning adjusted to match. A low-friction steering rack sharpens cornering precision, and the NISMO is offered in five colors, including an exclusive NISMO Stealth Gray and Super Black two-tone, paired with leather-and-Alcantara combination seats.
Shared Updates and Pricing
Both models add a Qi2-compatible wireless charger with built-in magnets and a cooling fan to keep devices stable and charging steadily even under driving vibration, along with a new fuel tank chamber for more consistent fuel delivery during hard cornering and an emergency braking system capable of detecting cyclists.
In Japan, pricing including consumption tax starts at ¥5,737,600 for the base Fairlady Z with either the six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic, climbing to ¥6,999,300 for the Version ST, while the Fairlady Z NISMO starts at ¥9,752,600 with either transmission, plus a mandatory special exterior color starting from an additional ¥49,500.