2024 Nissan Z NISMO will be auto-only

The manual gearbox has been an endangered species for years, but nobody expected Nissan’s NISMO hot-shop to ditch the do-it-yourself transmission option for its upcoming high-performance version of the new-generation Nissan Z coupe.

The red-hot Nissan Z NISMO generated a huge buzz last week when it was officially shown in action for the first time, blasting out big smoky drifts in a cool new teaser video.

But that buzz has been tempered by reports that the Nissan Z NISMO may not be offered with a manual gearbox as per regular Z coupes, after vehicle order forms sent to Nissan dealers in the USA were leaked by the NewNissanZ forum.

The screenshots of the dealer dispatch show only a nine-speed automatic will be available with the high-performance coupe and traditional Japanese sports car enthusiasts will be frothing with anger if the intel on the new Nissan Z NISMO turns out to be true.

As we previously reported, the 40-second hype reel of the beefed-up Nissan Z NISMO also showed no sign of a manual gearbox, and this latest news will only fuel the flames it ignited.

No details of the NISMO enhancements have been outlined, but the Nissan Z’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 (298kW/475Nm) is expected to get a power and torque boost, and it’s possible the six-speed manual transmission borrowed from the 14-year-old 370Z is unable to cope with the boosted power levels.

Logic suggests that NISMO will dial up the engine aggro for the spicier Nissan Z, which is expected to be met head-on by a high-end Toyota Supra GRMN performance coupe delivering around 400kW.

A manual transmission was a late addition for Toyota’s born-again Supra, but it’s unclear whether the Japanese giant will offer a manual in its upcoming Supra GRMN hero. If it does, it could provide an attractive point of difference.

Thus far, neither Nissan nor NISMO has confirmed any mechanical upgrades for the Z NISMO, but apart from more power it’s almost certain to get upgraded brakes, wheels, tyres and suspension.

Given how much power-sliding and drifting was shown in the preview video, an enhanced rear differential could also be part of the package.

However, one thing last week’s video did reveal was the Z NISMO sports car’s new look, which features more aggressive bodywork including a new front bumper, side skirts, rear diffuser, red pinstripes and larger rear spoiler. The interior also adds lots of NISMO branding, including on a new pair of Recaro sports seats.

The new 2024 Nissan Z NISMO will be revealed in the US summer, which means it should drop in the next couple of months.

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