The Nissan Z Heritage Edition Is Inspired by Two Legendary Sports Cars

Nissan just released a new Z inspired by the GT-R and second-generation 300ZX.

The new Z, called the Z Heritage Edition, or the 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition in full, is painted Midnight Purple, which originated on the GT-R, along with other shades. There are bronze “Twin Turbo” graphics in various places and bronze wheels. The rear spoiler is carbon fiber, which the second-generation 300ZX and the GT-R did not have. On the inside, there are “exclusive floor mats,” Nissan says.

The “Twin Turbo” parts are references to both the current car’s engine and also that of the second-generation 300ZX. That car debuted in 1989 and was one of many Japanese sports cars from the ’80s and ’90s that have turned into beloved cars for tuners and enthusiasts, possibly epitomized by the fourth-generation Toyota Supra, which went to a new stratosphere of fame thanks to its appearance in the first Fast & Furious film.

As for the second-generation 300ZX, one option was a twin-turbo V-6, which is what the Z Heritage Edition celebrates. The current Nissan Z debuted in 2021 and has been in production since 2022, starting with the 2023 model year. For 2026, the Z will be powered by a twin-turbo V-6 like the 300ZX of old, except the 2026 Nissan Z’s twin-turbo V-6 makes 400 horsepower at its weakest, in the Sport and Performance packages. In the Z NISMO, power from the twin-turbo V-6 is increased to 420 horsepower.

The Z Heritage Edition package adds $2,940 to the price of the car, which starts at $42,970 for the base Sport trim. The Performance trim starts at $52,970, and the NISMO trim starts at $65,750. The Sport and Performance trims are both available with 9-speed automatic transmissions or 6-speed manual transmissions, while the NISMO is only available with the 9-speed automatic. Nissan said that the cars will get to dealers for sale to customers in October.

The Z Heritage Edition is intended, most of all, for old-school fans of the brand, which is why Nissan revealed the car Tuesday at ZCON, a convention of Z enthusiasts held this week in Nashville. That event was first held just a year before the second-generation 300ZX’s release.

Click here for more photos of the 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition.