Nissan has confirmed pricing and details for the 2026 Heritage Edition of its iconic Nissan Z, bringing a nostalgic twist to the modern coupe with a colour deeply rooted in the brand’s performance history.
Just 10 examples of the Heritage Edition will be offered in Australia, priced from $77,410 before on-road costs, making it $1,250 more expensive than the standard Z coupe.
Skyline GT-R heritage inspires special edition
The headline feature of the Heritage Edition is its exclusive Midnight Purple paint finish, a colour famously associated with the Nissan Skyline GT-R of the 1990s.
This distinctive hue, including its famed Midnight Purple III variation seen on the R34 GT-R V-Spec, shifts in appearance depending on lighting conditions, giving the coupe a dynamic, almost chameleon-like presence.
It’s not the first time the colour has returned to Australian showrooms in recent years, having also appeared on a limited batch of GT-R T-Spec models toward the end of the Nissan GT-R lifecycle in 2021.
Complementing the unique paintwork, the Heritage Edition also features bronze-finished 19-inch Rays forged alloy wheels, adding to its retro-inspired visual appeal.
Familiar performance under the bonnet
Mechanically, the Heritage Edition remains unchanged from the standard Z. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine producing 298kW and 475Nm, driving the rear wheels.
Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a nine-speed automatic, maintaining the Z’s enthusiast-focused credentials.
Nissan Z performance & specs
At its core, the Nissan Z remains a driver-focused rear-wheel-drive sports car, pairing strong twin-turbo performance with a traditional front-engine layout. While the Heritage Edition adds visual flair, its mechanical package stays true to the standard Z, delivering a balance of everyday usability and engaging dynamics.
The twin-turbocharged V6 offers ample mid-range torque, making it equally comfortable on spirited backroad drives or highway cruising. With both manual and automatic options available, the Z continues to cater to purists while also offering broader accessibility.
| Specifications | Nissan Z |
| Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo V6 petrol |
| Power | 298kW |
| Torque | 475Nm |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual/ 9-speed automatic |
| Acceleration (0-100km/h) | 4.5 seconds |
While not positioned as an outright track weapon in standard form, the Z strikes a compelling middle ground, offering strong straight-line performance, responsive handling, and a level of driver engagement that remains increasingly rare in the modern sports car segment.
Equipment and safety unchanged
The Heritage Edition carries over the same equipment list as the regular Z, including:
- Mechanical limited-slip differential
- Launch control
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Heated front seats
Safety features are also comprehensive, with:
- Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane-departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
Nissan Z lineup and future updates
The standard Nissan Z range in Australia starts from $76,160 before on-road costs, while the flagship Nissan Z Nismo is priced from $94,065.
Looking ahead, Nissan has confirmed that an updated Z will arrive later in 2026. The facelift is expected to bring subtle design revisions, including a new front bumper and updated wheel designs, alongside potential mechanical tweaks.
A legacy stretching back decades
The Z nameplate traces its origins back to 1969 with the launch of the Datsun 240Z, also known as the Fairlady Z in Japan.
It evolved through models like the 260Z and 280ZX in the 1970s, before transitioning to the V6-powered 300ZX in the 1980s and 1990s. After a brief hiatus, the badge returned with the 350Z in 2002, followed by the long-running 370Z, which remained in production until 2020.
With the Heritage Edition, Nissan is blending that rich history with modern performance, albeit in extremely limited numbers, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare slice of Z heritage.
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