As Nissan Z Fans Wait For A Manual NISMO, They’re Served ’90s Nostalgia Instead
Nissan just revealed the 2026 Z ‘Heritage Edition’, paying tribute to the 300ZX Z32 with retro-inspired visuals delivering ’90s vibes alongside the return of the iconic ‘Midnight Purple’ colorway.
Image credit: Nissan
The special edition Z was unveiled at the 38th annual ZCON and is scheduled to arrive at dealerships later this month.
With the Heritage Edition, you get OEM bronze 19-inch RAYS wheels and a carbon-fiber rear spoiler featuring a retro-styled ‘Twin Turbo’ badge.
There’s also matching bronze ‘Twin Turbo’ graphics running down the sides, along with a heritage emblem.
Interior enhancements feature unique door kick plates and exclusive floor mats with ‘Heritage Edition’ stitching.
The standout feature is the addition of Midnight Purple paint, a legendary hue introduced on the R33 Skyline GT-R. It was made world-famous by the R34 generation, alongside Bayside Blue.
I’ll be honest, I don’t feel the press photos do the incredible color justice here. It looks jaw-dropping in the sunlight, unless Nissan has drastically tweaked the formula.
Here’s Midnight Purple at its best, revealing violet, indigo, and emerald iridescence in the right light:
Alongside Midnight Purple, another new color for 2026 is Boulder Gray, available on Z Sport and Performance grades and featuring a black roof.
The Heritage Edition is exclusively available on the Z Performance grade for an additional $2,940, bringing the total MSRP to $55,910. This includes the twin-turbo V6, which produces 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Image credit: Nissan
Nissan still hasn’t confirmed when the 420-horsepower NISMO Edition will get a manual gearbox. Every other Z variant already offers both options, but the NISMO remains auto-only, for now. Maybe a Midnight Purple manual Z could be on the horizon?
With the base 2026 Z pricing starting at $42,970, the Heritage Edition offers solid value for those seeking a piece of ’90s JDM nostalgia wrapped in Nissan’s top-tier performance package, following the recent demise of the GT-R.
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Bill is a writer and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.
As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.
When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.
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