2027 MT Nismo Z POV

[CPerdomo]

Finally, after waiting like a dog by the dinner table for some crumbs to watch a Nismo POV, I found the one below earlier this morning:



BUT, it is useless. Kirk said that the press will Not get a chance to drive these models outside the track. Just by watching the video; even though there is no actual POV from the videographer, I can see that the Nismo with Manual Transmission will never be better on the track than the AT. Nissan was correct.
I've been driving manuals since the mid-late 70's. We grew up knowing that manuals were better than automatics in every way. But, as much as I hate to admit it, that is no longer the case. The only advantage I could honestly see from a manual; besides satisfying my own manual craving, would be the maintenance.
I don't know if I will be able to drive one this year... but I still suspect that I will not be impressed enough to switch from the AT one.

 

[Exquisite_Red]

I traveled on business last week to our manufacturing plant in Canton, MS. We have a pool of vehicles we can use for travel, and I got a wild hair and decided to get a Z instead of the typical SUV. We only have automatics in the pool fleet, so I ended up with an auto '24 Performance trim.

I was taken aback by how much faster it is than my 6 speed. We are long past the days of automatics being inferior. I have intellectually understood this for a long time, but this was my first time actually experiencing it. Driving them back to back was crazy. I didn't record any times or anything, so I'm not sure what the actual difference is, but the auto car FELT substantially faster.

All that said, I couldn't wait to get back to my 6 speed car. The control and direct feel of the manual gearbox is more than worth the ~0.5 sec difference to 60MPH. The automatic has a mind of it's own and I never felt truly in control. I found that it would sometimes stay in higher gears despite heavy throttle inputs, while at other times would randomly drop into way too low a gear when I was just navigating slow traffic. And, of course, the throttle response was abysmal compared to my MT car. The auto may be faster, but it just doesn't feel as direct or fun. Unless you are absolutely obsessive about track times above all else, the 6 speed is still the better driver's car.

Thanks for listening to my TED talk.

 

[CPerdomo]

Unless you are absolutely obsessive about track times above all else, the 6 speed is still the better driver's car.

Thanks for listening to my TED talk.

Priceless!
Thanks for your input.

 

[CPerdomo]

Here's another POV (didn't even finished it)



So, instead of comparing the MT Nismo against the AT Nismo, they are comparing it to the Performance.

I'll calm down now...

 

[KrackaC8]

https://www.jalopnik.com/2175166/2027-nissan-z-nismo-manual-track-first-drive-review/

https://www.theautopian.com/the-manual-nissan-400z-nismo-is-a-forgotten-gem/

 

[trackratZ]

https://zcca.org/znismo-manual/


Technical Highlights for 2027:

• The Gearbox: Z NISMO received an upgraded clutch and a revised shift lever ratio, resulting in a shorter shift stroke for quicker, more mechanical-feeling changes. The drive event started with all of us turning laps in a Z Performance-trim for a baseline, then moving to the 2027 Z NISMO MT. There’s a distinctive sharper feeling to the shifts with 20% shorter throw and more deliberate clutch-engagement with each gear-change.
• An Engine Dialed Into the MT: The 420-horsepower twin-turbo V6 received manual-specific throttle and ignition timing control. Having had a few thousand miles of seat-time in an automatic Z NISMO last year for our Z Across America Rally to ZCON, I knew the “secret sauce” of Z NISMO automatic would be difficult to replicate in a manual-shift model. However, while the auto may still be minutely faster on paper, the difference between the Performance and ’27 Z NISMO can be felt. You can feel the sharpness and response with power sustainable from shift to shift.
• Track-Ready Fuel Delivery: No More (Fuel) Starvation
  Engineering agreed with all our enthusiast-led exclamations that a "track-focused" model should have baffling. Fuel is now delivered as the experience requires with the new '27 Z NISMO.

 

[CPerdomo]

This one is better... for those who can "read between the lines and from body language".

 

[FSUZ33]

So, instead of comparing the MT Nismo against the AT Nismo, they are comparing it to the Performance.
I'll calm down now...

I see this from both sides.
Not a lot to compare between the AT and MT NISMOs other than the change in transmission. Same suspension, same brakes, same seats, etc... Driving those back to back is really just about whether you're using your left foot or not.
Driving an MT NISMO along with an MT Sport or Perf gives a better comparison of the overall dynamic of the rest of the car/package. I assume there's not a lot of difference clutching and shifting a Sport, Perf or NISMO.

 

[CPerdomo]

BEST ONE SO FAR:

 

[CPerdomo]

A better manual driving experience than the manual Supra; according to this driver:

 

[CPerdomo]

So my takeaways from these videos?
The steering is better in the MT than the AT Nismo.
The shifting is better in the Nismo than the performance.
Some of these commentators are saying that the Nismo is the better deal now that the Supra is dead.

 

[CPerdomo]

I see this from both sides.
Not a lot to compare between the AT and MT NISMOs other than the change in transmission. Same suspension, same brakes, same seats, etc... Driving those back to back is really just about whether you're using your left foot or not.
Driving an MT NISMO along with an MT Sport or Perf gives a better comparison of the overall dynamic of the rest of the car/package. I assume there's not a lot of difference clutching and shifting a Sport, Perf or NISMO.

Correct.
According to some of these drivers, the Nismo shifts better than the Performance.

 

[KrackaC8]

Correct.
According to some of these drivers, the Nismo shifts better than the Performance.

Revised shifter, bushings, & clutch.

 

[CPerdomo]

You can tell by watching these drivers who has more experience as a track driver.
One of them said that Nissan told him that the MT would be a little cheaper than the AT version.

 

[trackratZ]

I'll gladly wait for Randy Pobst to review it, a true track/race driver that understands feel at the limit. Smooth experienced driver!