Nissan Z Kaze concept revives the open-roof Z, and Nissan says fans can make it real 

Key highlights

• The Nissan Z Kaze concept swaps the Z’s fixed roof for a removable T-top inspired by earlier models such as the 300ZX.
• Nissan has added Nismo suspension parts, GReddy engine upgrades and restored 18-inch LMGT2 wheels to its 1990s-inspired show car.
• Production has not been confirmed, but a Nissan executive says strong public demand could persuade the company to build it.

Nissan has revealed an open-roof version of its Z sports car, and it says the car could reach showrooms if enough people want it. The Nissan Z Kaze concept was unveiled at the 2026 ZCON event in Arizona. Kaze means wind in Japanese, a nod to the T-top roof that lets air into the cabin.

The design draws on 1990s Nissans that offered open roofs, including the 300ZX, which is the car many Z fans will think of first. For Australian buyers, the concept is particularly interesting because the current Nissan Z is already sold locally. However, Nissan has not confirmed production of the Kaze or whether an open-roof Z would be offered in Australia.

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Nissan says demand could change its future

The interesting part is that Nissan has left the door open to production. Nissan Americas chief product and planning officer Ponz Pandikuthira said the concept was created as an experiment, but suggested strong public reception could lead to the T-top being offered in showrooms.

That does not amount to a production confirmation, but it means the Z Kaze is more than a purely historical design exercise. Nissan is effectively testing whether there is enough enthusiast demand for a modern Z with an old-school open-roof layout. If the concept does progress, Australian availability would still need to be confirmed separately. The current Z is sold here, but there is no indication yet that a production Kaze would be added to the local range.

1990s tuning culture meets modern Z

The roof is not the only retro element. The Nissan Z Kaze is finished in teal and features carbon-fibre body elements, a wider body kit and a custom look inspired by the modified-car scene of the 1990s. Nissan has also fitted restored 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 wheels, which have been out of production for years. They are 10 inches wide at the front and 11 inches wide at the rear, making them wider than the standard Z’s wheels.

Inside, the concept gets a custom white interior, revised seats with Bose speakers built into the headrests and carbon-fibre trim. The mechanical changes follow the same theme. Nismo components have been used for the suspension, while the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 receives selected GReddy upgrades, including a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler, Airinx air filter and upgraded exhaust system. Nissan has not released a revised power figure for the concept, so its output should not be assumed to be higher than the standard Z’s 298kW and 475Nm.

What happens next?

The Nissan Z Kaze is due to appear at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California, on Saturday 3 October 2026. The next step is likely to depend on the response from Z enthusiasts. Nissan has made clear that the Kaze is currently a concept, but has also indicated that strong demand could influence a decision to put it into production. For Australian Z buyers, that leaves two questions open as of 28 September 2026, whether Nissan will build the T-top Z, and whether a production version would eventually make its way into Australian showrooms.