2027 Nissan Z Performance and Powertrain: VR30 Twin-Turbo V6 Specs, Trims, and Updates
The 2027 Nissan Z delivers 400 hp from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, with the NISMO grade pushing that to 420 hp. Torque arrives at just 1,600 rpm on Sport and Performance trims, making the power accessible from nearly any throttle position. Below you will find a full breakdown of every powertrain spec, transmission choice, and performance upgrade, with available inventory at Forth Worth Nissan.
Performance and Powertrain Overview
The VR30DDTT is the engine at the center of the 2027 Z story. This 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 uses direct injection, four valves per cylinder, and a Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System to produce 400 hp at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque on Sport and Performance trims. The NISMO variant receives its own tuned calibration, raising output to 420 hp at 6,400 rpm and 384 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm, the latter figure reflecting how aggressively the NISMO tune reshapes torque delivery at lower engine speeds.
For 2027, every Z model receives a revised fuel tank design that keeps fuel level consistent around the fuel pump during high-G cornering. The practical result is more reliable fuel delivery and steadier engine output during sustained track cornering. On Z Performance, Nissan engineers fitted larger-diameter monotube shock absorbers front and rear to improve vibration dampening and produce more predictable handling under hard driving. These are not isolated tweaks. They reflect a focused engineering effort to close the gap between a spirited road car and a track-capable sports car within a single platform.
How the VR30 Powertrain Works
The VR30DDTT uses twin parallel turbochargers fed by a direct-injection fuel system. Torque build begins at 1,600 rpm on Sport and Performance grades, which is low enough that the engine feels strong the moment you exit a corner or merge onto a highway. The NISMO's torque peak of 384 lb-ft arrives at 2,000 rpm and holds through 5,200 rpm, a span that keeps the car pulling hard across a wide range of driving situations.
The Z NISMO manual receives manual-specific tuning that adjusts throttle and ignition timing for sharper throttle response and a more sustained torque delivery. Active Sound Enhancement and Active Noise Cancellation systems are retuned specifically for this transmission, amplifying intake and exhaust tones in Sport mode for an auditory experience that matches the mechanical one. This is the kind of system-level integration that separates a purpose-built sports car powertrain from a carry-over engine dropped into a new body.
The 6MT uses a close-ratio gear set with an EXEDY high-performance clutch across all trims that offer it. On the Z NISMO manual, a new shift lever ratio produces a shorter shift stroke than the Sport and Performance units, so gear changes feel more direct. A carbon fiber composite driveshaft is used with the 6MT, which reduces rotational mass compared to the steel shaft used with the 9-speed automatic.
EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2027 Nissan Z
For those who prefer the automatic, the 9AT uses a Downshift Rev Matching system on the Sport and a NISMO-tuned variant on NISMO grade. Launch Control with No-Lift Shift is available on the 9AT across Sport and Performance, and on both transmission choices for NISMO.
Powertrain and Performance Across the Trims
Every 2027 Z trim shares the same engine architecture, but the calibration, hardware, and supporting chassis systems differ in meaningful ways.
Sport
runs the VR30 at 400 hp and 350 lb-ft. It comes standard with the 6-speed manual paired to an EXEDY clutch, a steel driveshaft on the 9AT or carbon fiber composite on the 6MT, and an 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheel and tire package using Yokohama ADVAN Sport P245/45R18 rubber. Brakes are 12.6-inch front vented discs with 2-piston calipers and 12.1-inch rear vented discs.
Performance
stays at 400 hp but adds the mechanical limited-slip differential, Akebono 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers gripping larger 14.0-inch front rotors and 13.8-inch rear rotors, RAYS forged 19-inch wheels in Dark Gray Metallic, and Bridgestone Potenza S007 performance tires in P255/40R19 front and P275/35R19 rear. The larger shock absorbers introduced for 2027 are part of this trim. NISMO front and rear chassis bracing is not included here, but the suspension tune is specific to this grade.
NISMO
pushes the VR30 to 420 hp and 384 lb-ft through a NISMO-enhanced engine calibration and an NISMO-enhanced oil cooler. It gets NISMO-tuned suspension, NISMO front and rear chassis bracing, NISMO-tuned electric power steering, and the largest brakes in the lineup: 15.0-inch two-piece iron-aluminum front rotors derived from the GT-R. These rotors feature improved cooling channels to reduce brake pad temperatures under track use, and their design saves 19 pounds over the previous NISMO brake setup. Wheels are RAYS forged aluminum in Gloss Black, 19x10 front and 19x10.5 rear, wrapped in Dunlop SP SPORT MAXX GT600 tires in P255/40R19 front and P285/35R19 rear.
Real-World Performance Benefit for Z Owners
A 400 hp rear-wheel-drive two-seater with a 6-speed manual and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is a specific kind of proposition: it rewards driver skill and attention in equal measure. The SynchroRev Match system on the 6MT Performance and NISMO automatically blips the throttle on downshifts, removing one variable for drivers still building heel-toe technique while keeping the manual experience intact.
The 9AT's Launch Control and No-Lift Shift system gives automatic buyers a repeatable way to extract consistent acceleration starts without managing slip manually. For drivers who use their Z in Fort Worth's daily traffic and occasional canyon or track days, the Intelligent Cruise Control and three selectable drive modes let the same car behave calmly in commuter conditions and aggressively when the road opens up.
The revised fuel tank is not a headline feature, but it matters in practice. Drivers who push the Z through extended high-speed cornering, including on track days, will see more consistent engine response at the limit because fuel delivery does not drop off as aggressively during sustained lateral load.
How the 2027 Z Powertrain Compares
The Z's VR30 twin-turbo V6 is a purpose-built performance engine, not a shared platform unit. At 400 hp standard and 420 hp in NISMO trim, the Z sits in territory where many rivals use turbocharged four-cylinders or naturally aspirated sixes. The manual transmission option across every trim, including the NISMO, is a differentiator in a segment where manuals are increasingly rare or restricted to lower grades.
The NISMO's GT-R-derived brake rotors reflect a commitment to thermal management that goes beyond most production sports cars in this segment. The two-piece iron-aluminum design is a solution more common in track-prepared vehicles, and seeing it in a production Nissan under $70,000 is a meaningful engineering choice. Combined with NISMO-exclusive chassis bracing, NISMO-tuned EPS, and a NISMO-specific 6MT shift feel, the 2027 Z NISMO competes more as a focused track tool than a grand tourer, while still being fully street-legal and daily-drivable.
Get Behind the VR30 at Fort Worth Nissan
The 2027 Nissan Z lineup, including the new NISMO manual, arrives at Nissan dealerships in summer 2026. Shoppers in Fort Worth and across the DFW area can check current inventory, configure a preferred trim, and schedule a test drive online. The Sport's 6-speed manual, the Performance's limited-slip differential and larger brakes, and the NISMO's 420 hp GT-R-derived brake package represent three very different answers to the same question: how much do you want from a sports car?
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2027 Nissan Z use?
The 2027 Nissan Z uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged DOHC V6, designated VR30DDTT, producing 400 hp on Sport and Performance trims and 420 hp on the NISMO. All versions are rear-wheel drive.
What is the torque on the 2027 Nissan Z?
Sport and Performance trims produce 350 lb-ft of torque beginning at 1,600 rpm. The NISMO produces 384 lb-ft starting at 2,000 rpm and holding through 5,200 rpm.
Does the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO come with a manual transmission?
Yes. The 2027 NISMO adds an available 6-speed manual transmission for the first time, engineered specifically for this grade with a shorter shift stroke, an upgraded clutch, and manual-specific throttle and ignition tuning compared to the Sport and Performance manual.
What transmission options does the 2027 Nissan Z offer?
Every trim offers a 6-speed close-ratio manual and a 9-speed automatic at no extra cost. The exception is the NISMO, which offers its own NISMO-tuned 9-speed automatic as the automatic choice. Both transmissions are available on all four trims.
What is SynchroRev Match on the 2027 Nissan Z?
SynchroRev Match is a system available on manual-equipped Performance and NISMO trims that automatically blips the throttle during downshifts to match engine speed to the lower gear. It smooths the shift and helps maintain stability under hard braking.
What brakes does the 2027 Nissan Z NISMO use?
The NISMO uses 15.0-inch two-piece iron-aluminum front rotors derived from the Nissan GT-R, gripped by NISMO/Akebono 4-piston front calipers. The design's improved cooling channels reduce brake pad temperatures in track use, and the two-piece construction saves 19 pounds over the previous setup.
What fuel economy does the 2027 Nissan Z get?
Sport and Performance automatic trims are rated at 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg. Manual versions on those trims are rated 18 / 24 / 20 mpg. The NISMO automatic is rated 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined; the NISMO manual is rated 16 / 21 / 18 mpg. Premium fuel is required.
What is Launch Control on the 2027 Nissan Z?
Launch Control is a driver-activated system that manages engine output and clutch engagement to produce a consistent, repeatable full-throttle launch. On the 9AT-equipped Z Sport and Performance, it works with No-Lift Shift for maximum acceleration. The NISMO includes it on both the manual and automatic.
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