2027 Nissan Z: The 5 Coolest Retro Styling Cues Found on Nissan’s Latest Sports Car

Adding old-school touches to a modern design is often used to help elevate a new car’s appeal by drawing from the nostalgia of its past. The new Nissan Z is a case in point. When Nissan first launched its latest Z as the successor to the 370Z, its designers looked to the Z’s historic S30 generation for inspiration. The result was a sharp, modern body with stylish, retro-inspired cues. Nissan has gone into the wayback machine once again for its updated 2027 Z, cranking up flashback factor even further. Here are the top five retro cues we found on Nissan’s latest Z that you may have missed.

It’s easy for Z aficionados to ID the 2027 model’s front end and headlights as modern takes on the S30 Datsun 240Z, but there’s another subtle nod to that heritage. Just below the iconic “Z” emblem, which itself is a switch from the old “Nissan” badge, the 2027 grille gets a small, body-colored bar that wasn’t present on earlier models. It isn’t just there for looks, but rather it’s a direct callback to the grille design of the S30 model.

It also wasn’t easy to make work. Nissan’s engineers had to rework the 2027 Z’s parking sensor packaging and grille shape to keep its cooling intact. The payoff is a clean, modern take on the S30’s face.

Another subtle hit of nostalgia comes from the 2027 Nissan Z Performance’s 19-inch wheels. Made by longtime Nissan partner Rays Wheels, they draw inspiration from the 1984 to 1986 Z31’s 15-inch rims. They don’t copy the old enclosed-disc look exactly, but the spokes, rim shape, and two-tone finish clearly echo that late-’80s design.

Why not just straight-up copy the original wheel and call it a day? “The thin spokes show off the Z Performance’s large brake rotors and red calipers,” said Shinichiro Irie, Nissan’s program design director for the current-generation Z. The wheels are wrapped in Bridgestone Potenza S007 high-performance tires, so at least the grip won’t imitate the Z31’s original setup. Those old tires almost certainly wouldn’t be able to handle 400 horsepower from the modern Z’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6.

Back in 1970 and 1971, the Datsun 240Z offered a distinctive shade called Grand Prix Green. It was a rich, dark green, very much in line with the British sports cars that influenced the S30-generation Datsun. For 2027, Nissan brings that idea back with Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic, available on Z Sport and Performance trims.

Like the grille, reviving the color took more than matching an old paint chip. Nissan says green paints are especially prone to fading after long sun exposure, so Shinkai Green uses ultra-fine blue and yellow pigments layered over a straight green pigment. The result captures the spirit of the original while improving durability, according to Nissan. Add metallic flake, and you get a modern S30-inspired finish. It will cost extra, though we’ve yet to find out how much; pricing should be available soon as the 2027 Z is expected to hit U.S. dealers shortly.

The classic green sheen wasn’t the only period touch of color. Some S30s in that color also came paired with a black-and-tan interior that gave the 240Z a more upscale feel. The 2027 Nissan Z brings that look back, as well. You can pair the tan interior with Shinkai Green or with Black Diamond Pearl, Bayside Blue Quad Coat, Pearl White TriCoat, or Solid Red.

It should also pair nicely with the manual transmission, which is now available across the 2027 Z lineup for anyone chasing proper S30-style driving vibes.

Although the 9.0-inch digital display used in the 2027 Z Sport and Performance trims is fully modern, it sneaks in a nostalgic touch. Fire up the car, and the startup animation begins with the S30, then scrolls through the next six generations before ending with the present RZ34 and fading into the digital instrument cluster. It’s a cool homage that serves as a fitting touch for a car that continues to lean hard into its impressive heritage.