The Nissan Z is Flourishing Thanks to an Unexpected Champion: Your Parents.

      Alex Bellus Photography

      The latest car news and reviews, without the nonsense.

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for the most important stories delivered to your inbox every weekday.

      You can thank your parents and their friends for the current attention and investment in the Z at Nissan.

      At the 2026 New York auto show on Wednesday, Ponz Pandikuthira, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for Nissan North America, told The Drive exclusively, “What’s particularly interesting about the current Z buyers is that many of them dreamed of owning this car during their teen years or twenties but couldn’t afford it back then. The model seemed to lose its appeal for a time. Now they are excited about this version. Consequently, we’re seeing a lot of older buyers purchasing this car as a trophy or retirement vehicle, among other reasons. The performance variant of the Z is selling exceptionally well, and there’s a small niche market that loves it for track usage; they are opting for the Nismo edition.”

      “We are selling this car at a consistent rate and targeting the appropriate demographic. Younger buyers at 22 typically choose more affordable cars they can modify. We’ll sustain that lifecycle through animation,” Pandikuthira explained.

      What does that imply? Nissan is ready to commit.

      “It will focus on heritage,” Pandikuthira mentioned, adding that Nissan plans to “reconnect with the authenticity of the Z’s past. We will create special editions that reflect this heritage and maintain that animated cycle plan. Nissan intends to remain involved; you can expect a lot of that animation to manifest in these special versions.”

      The 2027 Nissan Z will feature a light refresh, including an updated front bumper and a manual transmission option for the Nismo model. Acquiring the Z will take longer and may be more challenging in 2027, as the manufacturer transitions to a build-to-order model for the sports car. Pandikuthira confirmed this shift, explaining, “These are the people who have long desired this car, and they have specific preferences, like that maroon color or British racing green. They might want a camel interior and a manual transmission. Let them customize it. They’re willing to wait, as they’re not using this car for everyday commuting. They can accept a wait of 3 to 6 months, which is the time needed for production and shipment.”

      So, what’s next for the Z? According to Pandikuthira, special “animations” will be released over the next three years. “Then we’ll actively discuss what the next generation will look like, ensuring it aligns with the future of the GT-R. The Z needs to fit below the GT-R in the lineup,” he noted.

      Have information on upcoming products? Contact us at tips@thedrive.com.