Some automotive throwbacks are obvious. The 2027 Nissan Z takes a more interesting approach. For its latest updates, Nissan went digging through more than five decades of Z history and brought back details that longtime enthusiasts might recognize before they can quite place them. The redesigned grille recalls the original Datsun 240Z. New wheels look back to the 1980s 300ZX. There's even a new green-and-tan color combination that wouldn't feel out of place several generations ago. The 2027 Nissan Z is expected to arrive in summer 2026, and while we wait for it here at Loughead Nissan, you can explore our New Nissan Inventory and current Nissan Z inventory to see where more than 50 years of sports-car history has brought us so far. Look at the Original 240Z, Then Look at That Grille The face of the 2027 Z has changed, but Nissan didn't have to look very far for inspiration. A new horizontal bar divides the front grille, creating a split design inspired by the original 240Z, known internally as the S30. Nissan managed to make the visual change while maintaining the cooling requirements of the current Z, giving the sports car a stronger connection to its earliest predecessor without compromising modern functionality. There's another small historical detail sitting right above it. A Z emblem now replaces the Nissan emblem, following a tradition seen on the S30, S130, Z31, and Z32 generations. Those who know their Z history will probably spot it immediately. Everyone else just gets a very good-looking front end. The New Wheels Go Back to the '80s The 1980s get their turn on the 2027 Z Performance. New 19-inch RAYS® alloy wheels feature a ten-spoke, star-like arrangement inspired by the machined wheels available on the Z31-generation 300ZX during the mid-1980s. Nissan didn't simply reproduce an old wheel, either. The thinner spokes give the design a contemporary look while revealing the Z Performance's large brake rotors and red calipers behind them. The wheels come wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza® S007 high-performance tires, with the rear wheels measuring half an inch wider than the fronts for additional grip. Shinkai Green Goes All the Way Back to the First Z This might be our favorite callback. The 2027 Nissan Z introduces Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic, a rich new exterior color reminiscent of Grand Prix Green offered on the first-generation S30. "Shinkai" translates to "deep sea" in Japanese, which gives you a pretty good idea of the depth Nissan was after. Creating it was more complicated than choosing an old paint swatch. Because green automotive paints can be susceptible to fading from prolonged sun exposure, Nissan engineers combined ultra-fine yellow and blue pigments that visually create green while offering greater resistance to fading. A subtle metallic flake adds depth and helps emphasize the Z's body lines. Shinkai Green will be available on Sport and Performance grades. Yes, You Can Pair the Green with a Tan Interior Nissan went one step further. Z Performance models will offer a new tan interior, another deliberate reference to the color palettes found in the original S30 generation. Pair it with Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic and you get one of the most classically sports-car combinations imaginable: deep green paint over a tan cabin. The tan interior contrasts with black materials across the upper dashboard and doors and can also be paired with Black Diamond Pearl, Bayside Blue Quad Coat, Pearl White TriCoat, and Solid Red. For drivers who love vintage Z cars but still want everything that comes with buying a modern one, this may be one of the most compelling combinations in the 2027 lineup. Even Starting the Car Comes with a Little Z History One of the smallest 2027 changes might get the biggest reaction from serious Z fans. Start a 2027 Z Sport or Performance and its standard digital meter display now runs through an animation featuring previous generations of the Nissan Z. It's essentially a tiny retrospective every time you start the car, acknowledging the models that led to the one you're sitting in. NISMO models retain their own unique startup animation. It's an unnecessary detail in the best possible way. Nobody needs a sports car to show them its family tree before they drive away, but the people who care about that family tree are exactly the people Nissan designed it for. The 2027 Nissan Z Still Has Some New Tricks Nissan hasn't spent all its time looking backward. The 2027 Z also brings meaningful performance updates, including larger-diameter shock absorbers on Performance models. Perhaps most exciting for driving enthusiasts, the Z NISMO gains a manual transmission option for 2027. Taken together, the changes show what Nissan seems to understand particularly well about this car. The Z doesn't need to abandon its past to move forward. Its history is part of the reason people care about it in the first place. Follow the 2027 Nissan Z with Loughead Nissan The new model is expected to arrive in summer 2026. In the meantime, explore the Nissan Z models currently available at Loughead Nissan, browse our complete New Nissan Inventory, or check our New Vehicle Specials as you compare your options. Visit Loughead Nissan at 755 S. Chester Rd, Rt 320, Swarthmore, PA 19081 to talk with our team or schedule a test drive. We're proud to help drivers throughout Swarthmore, Concordville, Drexel Hill, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and the surrounding communities find a Nissan that's worth getting excited about.
