--- title: "The 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition Feels More Like a GT-R Tribute" date: "2025-09-09" modified: "2025-09-09" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-2026-nissan-z-heritage-edition-feels-more-like-a-gt-r-tribute" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Coupe" - "Nissan" - "Nissan Z" - "sports car" --- # The 2026 Nissan Z Heritage Edition Feels More Like a GT-R Tribute ![Nissan Z Heritage Edition]() *\Nissan\* Just a few days ago, I was randomly thinking about the [Nissan Z Proto concept](). That show car previewed the current generation five years ago; it was practically the real thing, and everyone loved the way it looked. But, half a decade on, the seventh-gen Z feels like an afterthought—like it never quite seized that pre-launch hype. Perhaps Nissan was a bit slow to react. The [Nismo Z](), for example, should've been sold with a manual since day one, but for some reason, it took the company years to [rectify that oversight](). Now, it's trying to get people talking about the sports car again with the 2026 Z Heritage Edition. Before we get into it, know that the Heritage Edition is purely an appearance package. Nissan's press release describes it as a "Z32 brought to the 21st century"—specifically calling attention to the fourth-generation model that was sold here as the [300ZX](). The touches referencing that car include "Twin Turbo" graphics on the sides and on the carbon-fiber rear spoiler. Otherwise, there's little about this particular vehicle that calls the 300ZX to mind. Sure, the current Z has taillights that evoke the Z32's horizontal strips of light, but that applies to every trim. The other head-scratcher is the color. [Last time Nissan did up a nostalgic Z](), it painted the car in a shade of orange reminiscent of the rarest, most coveted Z of them all, the [Fairlady Z432R](). That car also had 19-inch wheels that almost looked like the Watanabe-style design popular on older Japanese sports cars, as well as a 240Z-like split grille. It was quite good and very authentic as far as appearance packages go. ![Nissan Z]() ![Nissan Z]() ![]() This new one, though, has been done up in Midnight Purple—a color with more significance to the [Nissan GT-R]() than the Z. *(Edit: A reader reached out after publication to let us know that Nissan did make [a small run of 216 Z32s]() in a color called Deep Purple Metallic, before Midnight Purple was ever really a thing. Thanks, and apologies for missing that!)* Nissan provided images of it posing next to a Midnight Purple GT-R, and the Heritage Z closely matches the theme with its gold wheels. They're the same wheels a standard Z gets, just painted differently. Now, [Nissan]() had an opportunity to punch this Z up a bit in the cabin, but it didn't take it. Buyers will be treated to "unique door kick plates and exclusive floor mats," per the press release. But I've driven the current Z before, and I was actually quite fond of its interior; a test car I had years ago had the red-and-black scheme, and of course, Nissan still offers the Z with a mostly blue cabin. Some purple inserts or trim could've made the new Heritage Edition feel more special inside, but this Z's just all black. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() The rest of what you see is the Z you already know, with a 400-horsepower, twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V6. A little less refined than its competitors, though one of the cheaper paths to a simple, three-pedal, rear-wheel-drive sports car. The Heritage Z will join three other trims—the Sport, Performance, and Nismo—for the upcoming model year, and it's based on that mid-level Performance spec that includes better tires, brakes, and a limited-slip differential. It'll cost $57,155 including shipping, making the Heritage package a $2,940 addition to a normal 2026 Z Performance at $54,215. The 2026 Nissan Z starts at $44,215. *Got tips? Send ’em to tips@thedrive.com*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()