--- title: "Exclusive: Nissan Says It’ll Bring the Z T-Top Concept to Production if You Shout Loud Enough" date: "2026-09-23" modified: "2026-09-23" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nissan-execs-message-to-z-fans-be-loud-and-well-do-t-tops-again" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "concept" - "Convertible" - "Coupe" - "Nissan" - "Nissan Z" - "sports car" --- # Exclusive: Nissan Says It’ll Bring the Z T-Top Concept to Production if You Shout Loud Enough ![Aerial view of the Nissan Z Kaze Concept]() One of Nissan's top executives just made fans a very simple and enticing offer: If you really want a new Z car with a classic T-top roof, ask and you shall receive. The [Nissan Z Kaze T-top concept debuted Wednesday]() and while it's officially a concept, the automaker is being unusually direct in laying out a path to a production model. During an exclusive interview, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for [Nissan]() North America, Ponz Pandikuthira told *The Drive*, "Tell your fans, you got plenty of them, that if you really want this car, be loud and tell Nissan you absolutely want it, because then they'll build it. "It's a concept, we're playing with something," Pandikuthira added. "But if it gets well received from the public we're gonna make that car happen." ![Aerial view of the Nissan Z Kaze Concept.]() *Nissan* ![]() Nissan has been trying to chart a course out of the wilderness for the last two years and announced a [massive turnaround plan in April](). The first salvo in that plan is about to arrive in the form of the mass-market [Rogue Hybrid]() that'll attempt to battle the juggernaut that is the Toyota RAV4. Another step is to take on the Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford Bronco with a [new Xterra]() using [V6 and hybrid powertrains](). But those are volume models that will sit alongside the larger Armada SUV and Frontier pickup truck. In April, [Nissan President and CEO Ivan Espinosa said to *The Drive*](), "The sports cars are the core of what we are as a company." This was also where Espinosa mentioned that [Nissan's already working on a new GT-R](), while [Pandikuthira said]() the next-gen Godzilla will be electrified, sport the VR38 block, and arrive in 2030. The man in charge of Nissan's global corporate product strategy, Richard Candler, [told *The Drive*](), "We are really deeply looking at the sports \[car\] lineup again. We all want to do some cool cars." Candler also noted in regards to the Silvia specifically, "I'd love to bring back that nameplate. I do think it's really valuable," and that there's "still space" for it. ![]() ![]() ![Nissan Z Kaze concept]() And, just last week, [Pandikuthira said]() "there will be subtle nods to \[Nissan's\] heritage" in its lineup going forward, and that he wants customers to "feel that lineage" in the automaker's cars as it strives to be "true to our origins." Hard to argue a new Z with T-top panels doesn't deliver on that message. Make enough noise online, and soon enough you might just be able to place a reservation with your local Nissan dealer. *Got a tip? Drop us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he sits on the Board of Directors for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()